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stood in silken beauty of red, white and blue
at the side of the platform. In the daily lesson
of patriotism, pupils and teachers, led by the
principal in clear, unhurried accents, repeated
the pledge to the flag and country.

Lucia, half American, half Italian, probably
born in some other foreign country, Betty
thought, gave the salute with the rest, "out of
courtesy," she had told the girls. It was her
mother's flag, she said. Her father had another,
and as for her she was going to _choose_ her
country!

But Lucia, bright and interesting, very much
alive to all the high school and city life, was
possibly arriving at a better appreciation of
some phases of America and its opportunities
than some of the girls of American birth, and
from the very difference of environment and
customs.

Lucia Coletti was adding to some old-world
advantages, and to her early education in
Europe, what America had to offer. Betty was
both surprised and pleased with the Lucia Coletti
who was a junior. And Lucia, in spite of
the sorority circle and many other young friends
in the circle in which her countess mother and

 [[15]]