"We are in the hands of desperadoes." It was a merry party who were speeding along their way to the state capital, for a wonderful visit was to be paid and the Phi Sigma Tau and their friends were to pay it.

In short, Judge Putnam had invited them to spend Christmas at his beautiful home in the capital city, and for eight happy days they were to be his guests.
It was in reality Grace's party.

The judge had written her, asking her to select as many guests as she chose.

She had also received a prettily worded note from his sister, who had chaperoned them the previous summer in the Adirondacks, and who had taken charge of the judge's home in the capital for years.
Grace had at once invited the Phi Sigma Tau, and dispatched special delivery letters to Hippy, David and Reddy, not forgetting Tom Gray and Arnold Evans.
In order to make an even number of boys and girls, Grace had invited James Gardiner, an Oakdale boy, and last of all, very reluctantly, had sent a note to Mr.Henry Hammond.
This she had done solely to appease Marian Barber's wounded pride.

For a week after the day that Marian had rushed angrily out of Grace's house, she had refused to go near her sorority.