when it happens. Judith and Adrienne will be with me. Are you willing that it should be so?" "Yes, indeed," promptly answered Alicia. "When is the grand reckoning to be?" "This afternoon just before dinner. I can say my say in short order. Of course if she's not in, I'll have to postpone it until later." "I can let you know as soon as she comes in from her last class," volunteered Alicia. "No, I'd rather not have it that way." Jane smiled whimsically. "It's had enough to have to go to work and deliberately plan this hateful business. It has to be gone through with. That's certain. We'll just take our chance of finding her in. When you hear us knock, I wish you'd open the door. It's all horrid, isn't it? I feel like a conspirator." Jane made a gesture indicative of utter distaste for the purposed program. "It's honest, anyhow. It's not backbiting and underhandedness," Alicia stoutly pointed out. "No, it isn't," Jane soberly agreed. "That's the only thing that reconciles me to do it. It's dealing openly and aboveboard with treachery and spite." CHAPTER XV THE RECKONING "_Voila!_ We are ready. Let us advance!" proclaimed Adrienne with a smothered chuckle, when at ten minutes to six a determined trio left Adrienne's room on the fateful errand to the room next door. "Don't you dare giggle when we get in there," warned Judith in a whisper, as Jane rapped sharply on the door. "We must make an imposing appearance if we can," she added with a grin. "Who knows? I may giggle myself." True to her word, it was Alicia who admitted them with, "Hello, girls! Come in." As the three entered, a figure lolling in a Morris chair by the window sprang up with an angry exclamation.