"They hide it a little, I think." Meantime there was the bustle of a new and important arrival.

Grace and her mother ushered in a charming little old lady and seated her in the place of honor, a big leather chair between the windows.

She wore a gray silk dress and a lavender bonnet daintily trimmed in lace and white ostrich tips.
"Girls," said Grace, as a hush fell over the room, "there is no need for me to introduce any of you to Mrs.Gray, who is the sponsor for the freshman class." There was a buzz of laughter and conversation again, and through the double doors Anne caught sight of the little old lady, talking gayly to her subjects, seated, like a diminutive queen, on a large throne.
"Why is she the sponsor of the class ?" Anne asked of Jessica, who was hovering near by.
"Oh, have you never heard ?" returned Jessica.

"Mrs.Gray's daughter died during her freshman year at High School, long ago, and ever since then, Mrs.Gray has offered a prize of twenty-five dollars for the girl who makes the highest average in her examinations at the end of the freshman year.

She was made sponsor of the freshman class about ten years ago, so each year, soon after school opens, some one of the freshmen gives a tea and invites her to meet the new girls.