"And the decorating is only about half done, too," she continued.
"Thank goodness school closed to-day. We'll just have to live here
until Thursday, and work, work, work."

"'Clear the way for progress on the fly,'" sang out a voice behind
them, and the group of startled girls turned to face a stout young
man who charged into their midst with a hop, skip and a jump.

"Hippy!" shrieked Nora in delight. "And David and Reddy, and yes--
Tom, too!"

"'Oh, frabjous day, calloooh, callay,'" cried Hippy shaking hands
all around. "It seems ages since I saw you girls. How well you all
look, only you're not looking at me. These other good-for-nothing
fellows are getting all the attention. Hello, Miriam," he called
to Miriam Nesbit, who ran eagerly across the floor to meet the
newcomers. "There's a prize package for you, too. It's outside the
door shaking the snow off its coat."

Miriam flushed and laughed a little, then hurried over to greet
Arnold Evans, who had just entered the hall.

"Oh, boys, you don't know how good it seems to have you all here
again," said Grace, after the first greetings had been exchanged,
as she beamed on the young men. "You're just in time to go to
work, too. We've oodles of things to wrap for the 'Mystery
Auction,' and Hippy you must be auctioneer. You can do it to
perfection."