A VAGUE REGRET "WELL, Jane, it's our turn to do the inviting this year," announced Judith Stearns, as she pranced jubilantly into the room where Jane sat hard at work on her Horace for next day's recitation. "When is it to be?" Jane looked up eagerly from her book. "A week from to-night. The notice just appeared on the bulletin board. You know my fond affection for the bulletin board." Judith boyishly tossed up her soft blue walking hat and caught it on one finger, loudly expressing her opinion of her own dexterity. "Sit down, oh, vainglorious hat-thrower, and tell me about it," commanded Jane, laughing. "That's all I know. It's to be next Wednesday night. I suppose our august soph committee has met and decided the great question. It's the usual getting-acquainted-with-our-freshman-sisters affair. After that comes class meeting, and after that----" Judith plumped down on her couch bed and beamed knowingly at Jane. "Guess what comes after that," she finished. "Basket-ball." Jane gave a long sigh of pure satisfaction. There was a pleasant light in her eyes as she made the guess. She was anxiously looking forward to making the sophomore team. "Yes, _basket-ball_." Judith echoed the sigh. She also hoped to make the team. "We'll have to get busy and invite our freshmen to the dance," she said wagging her brown head. "The freshman class is large this year; about a third larger than last year's class. That means some of the juniors and seniors will have to help out. I'm glad of it. It will give Norma a chance to go too." "There are only four freshmen in this house," stated Jane. "One of them is out of the question for us." "I get you," returned Judith slangily. "Undoubtedly you refer to the ignoble Miss Noble. Noble by name but not by nature," she added with a chuckle.