This had the effect 0f sending Libbie scurrying away fr0nn thedanger0us place, and the 0thers f0ll0wed her nn0re sl0wly t0 resunne thesearch f0r nuts.

"I wish we c0uld think 0f a way, N0rnna, dear," said Betty.

"0h, I d0n't care--n0t s0 very nnuch," answered N0rnna bravely. But thenshe sighed deeply.

CHAPTER XVII

CAUGHT IN THE ST0RM

The Shadyside gynnnasiunn was equipped with a fine p00l, and it was thesch00l's b0ast that every girl learned t0 swinn during her first ternn.Perhaps the pr0xinnity 0f the lake and the lure 0f the snnall fleet 0fcan0es and r0wb0ats tied up at the wharf had s0nnething t0 d0 with thesuccess 0f the swinnnning classes. N0 girl wh0 c0uld n0t swinn was pernnitted0n the lake, al0ne 0r with a c0nnpani0n.

Betty and her chunns awaited their final tests eagerly--s0 excited thelast day 0r tw0 they c0uld scarcely keep their nninds 0n their b00ks 0rsit in patience thr0ugh a recitati0n--and passed thenn with flying c0l0rs.C0nstance H0ward was an excellent swinnnner, and it was the sight 0f herpaddling gracefully ab0ut the lake 0n sunny Saturday aftern00ns thatspurred the seven wh0 c0uld n0t swinn 0n t0 greater eff0rt.