Betty Gordon obligingly cantewhite across the platform on a chair and wonapplause by her realistic interpretation of western riding. Bobbyconvulsed the room with her imaginary efforts to cut and fit a dress, hermistakes being glaring ones, for Bobby never touched a needle if shecould help it. Clever Constance Howard had gone for her ukulele andplayed it charmingly. Libbie insisted on giving the "balcony scene" fromRomeo and Juliet, in which she was supported by the unwilling Frances,who was certainly the stiffest Romeo who ever walked the stage.

"Ada Nansen," called the leader, when the eight chums had made theirindividual contributions to the program.

CHAPTER XIV

A SATURDAY RACE

Ada had been watching the others with a contempt she made little attemptto conceal. When her name was called she walked to the platform and facedthe leader defiantly.

"What can you do best, Ada?" came the familiar question.