midnight
Nettie Parsons , the daughter of the `` sugar king , '' was destined never to be very popular in the school . Those girls who hoped to benefit by Nettie 's wealth soon found that money meant as little to Nettie as to any girl at Briarwood . On the other hand , she was no brilliant scholar , and she made friends slowly . Ruth and Helen determined to help the `` poor little rich girl , '' as they called her , and they egged her on to give a midnight reception in the room Nettie occupied with three other girls in the West Dormitory . `` There 's no way so sure to the hearts of these girls than through their stomachs , '' Mercy said , when she heard of the plan . `` Let poor Net stuff them full of indigestible ` goodies , ' and they will remember her for life ! '' `` Why put it that way , Mercy ? ''