If you wanted to rescue Anne's doll I am sure you had some excellent reason for it." Mrs.Gray had not heard the history of Anne's father, for Grace and her friends had kept the secret well, and Anne, herself, had never cared to tell the story.

She was a quiet, reserved girl who talked little of her own affairs.
"He _did_ have a good reason, Mrs.Gray," put in Grace, "and it was enough to make him lose his temper.

Julia Crosby is everlastingly playing practical jokes and getting people into trouble.

However, I don't suppose she upset the tree on purpose," she added, thoughtfully.
"Well, well," exclaimed Mrs.Gray, "let us forget all about it and wind up the party with a Virginia reel.

Tom and Grace must lead it off, and Anne, you and David watch the others so that when it comes your turn you will be able to dance it yourselves." So it was that Mrs.Gray's freshman Christmas ball ended as gayly as it had started, with a romping, joyous Virginia reel.