The meeting came to order, the names of the proposed members were read and discussed. Nancy had nothing to say about any of them. Harriet got up and spoke for Doris. She said she was a good sport, fun, and that just about everyone liked her. She didn't glance at Nancy as she sat down. The girls clapped and Nancy knew that they all intended to vote for Doris.

The ballots were passed out with the three new names on them. There was a space beside each name to write one word-Yes or No. Nancy marked hers, folded it and went up to the ballot box and dropped it in. As she went back to her seat she felt Harriet's eyes on her. She gave her a steady look and smiled oddly. Harriet flushed and looked down.

The tellers took the ballot box into a corner to count the votes and the others relaxed and chattered. Only Nancy sat quietly, looking out the window. When the tellers stood up and Peggy Meyer walked into the center of the room, an expectant hush fell.

"Well, girls," she said with a smile, "we have three new members in our club and I know they'll be swell."

Everyone burst into excited applause and began to talk at once, the atmosphere of tension was over. Since it was a business meeting there were no refreshments. They all got up and began to straggle out of the room. Nancy dropped her purse and when she had picked it up and turned to leave, Harriet was at the door, waiting for her. She smiled shyly and put her arm through Nancy's.

"Let's go down to the Bulldog," she said.

"O.K.," said Nancy.

"I-I guess I'm an awful dope, Nancy," Harriet went on in a low voice, not looking at her, "but I was afraid you wouldn't vote for Doris."

"Why shouldn't I? Doris is a swell person. She'll make a good club member," replied Nancy firmly.

"Then you're not mad at me any more?"

Nancy laughed. "Of course not. I was the dope for getting mad in the first place. After all, I don't own you. You've got a right to have all the friends you want." And suddenly she really meant it. She felt happy and free and good inside. "Come on," she cried gaily. "Let's go find Doris and tell her the good news."