Nobody but Anne knew how anxious she became as the moments slipped by and no Marcelle appeared.

It would never do to have a climax happen without the surprise of her presence to carry it off.

The refreshments had all been served, and the little bronze dragon clock on top of the book shelves showed the hour of five, when Charity called: "You'd better start in on your Founders' talk, Kit; we've only got about half an hour." There was a baffled look in Kit's eyes, as she picked up the challenge and rose from the brown willow chair.

Charity must know perfectly well how untimely it was to start to spring the surprise while there was a running chance of Marcelle appearing.

Still there was a hush, and the girls faced her expectantly.
"As you all know," began Kit, "the old bronze tablet in the lower hall carries names on its roll of honor which not only uphold the glory of Hope College, but also of the entire town of Delphi, of the entire state, I may say, of Wisconsin." "Kit," murmured Peggy, sotto voce, "if you start declaiming like that you'll have 'the Jinx' after your scalp.