eight o'clock
I shall use it again if I ever need to . '' Before a blazing fire kindled by Jean in the big fireplace , the whole party dried themselves . The old hunter listened to the story of their mad scramble through the woods with many expressions of sympathy . It was eight o'clock when the storm had abated sufficiently to allow them to sally forth , and in a short time they were in Oakdale . Fifteen minutes later they were telling Mr. and Mrs. Harlowe just how it all happened . The Monday after the walking expedition , Grace Harlowe set out for school full of an idea that had been revolving in her busy brain for weeks . The time had come for herself and for her three chums to bind themselves together as a sorority .