ten minutes
past five
At luncheon that day she took particular pains to be unusually friendly to every one with whom she came in contact , exhibiting a gay graciousness of manner toward a number of girls she had secretly labeled , `` digs , prigs and plodders . '' This quite won their trusting hearts and made them innocently wonder how they had , so far , happened to miss becoming really well acquainted with Miss Ward . When at five o'clock the big living room began to fill , Evelyn was among the first there , with a dazzling smile for all comers . At ten minutes past five the thirty-three girls who claimed Harlowe House as their home were sitting or standing expectantly about the room , waiting for Grace , who stood at one end of the room with Emma , to call the meeting to order and enter upon the discussion of that `` most important subject . '' `` I have asked you to come here this afternoon because I believe the time has arrived to try out a plan which I have had in my mind ever since college began , '' stated Grace , by way of beginning . Then in clear , concise sentences she told of her desire that her girls should be self-governing and of how much good fellowship their banding themselves together would create . `` I thought , if you approved of the plan , we might elect our officers at once , and appoint a committee to draw up the constitution and by-laws .