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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/33873-h.zip b/33873-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..8b0183e --- /dev/null +++ b/33873-h.zip diff --git a/33873-h/33873-h.htm b/33873-h/33873-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2338528 --- /dev/null +++ b/33873-h/33873-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9051 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" > +<head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta name="generator" content="eppg.py 0.82 (02-Oct-2010)" /> + <title>Dolly's College Experiences, by Mabel Cronise Jones</title> + <style type="text/css"> + body {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%;} + p {margin-top:1ex; margin-bottom:0; text-align:justify;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size:x-small; text-align:right; text-indent:0; + position:absolute; right:2%; padding:1px 3px; font-style:normal; + font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration:none; + background-color:inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + .pncolor {color:silver;} + h1,h2 {text-align:center; font-weight:normal;} + h1 {font-size:1.6em; margin-top:4ex; margin-bottom:2ex;} + h2 {font-size:1.4em; margin-top:4ex; margin-bottom:2ex;} + hr.pb {margin:30px 0; width:100%; border:none; border-top:thin dashed silver; clear:both;} + .sc {font-variant:small-caps;} + div.figcenter {text-align:center; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em;} + div.figcenter p {text-align:center;} + p.center {text-align:center; text-indent:0em;} + p.caption {font-size:smaller;} + div.front {} + div.front p {text-align:center;} + .fs18 {font-size:1.8em;} + .mb30 {margin-bottom:30px;} + .fs12 {font-size:1.2em;} + .mt30 {margin-top:30px;} + hr.th10 {border:none;border-bottom:1px solid black; width:10%;} + .fs08 {font-size:0.8em;} + table {margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto;} + td.loi1 {font-variant:small-caps;} + td.loi2 {text-align:right;} + .mb10 {margin-bottom:10px;} + .mb05 {margin-bottom:05px;} + div.poetry {text-indent:0em; margin-left:2em; margin-bottom:.7em; margin-top:.7em;} + div.poetry p {margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;} + div.bquote {font-size:1.0em; margin:5px 5%;} + div.bquote p {text-indent:0em; margin-bottom:4px; margin-top:4px;} + .c {text-align:center;} + .b {font-weight:bold;} + </style> +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Dolly's College Experiences, by Mabel Cronise Jones + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dolly's College Experiences + +Author: Mabel Cronise Jones + +Release Date: October 18, 2010 [EBook #33873] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOLLY'S COLLEGE EXPERIENCES *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.fadedpage.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i1'></a><img src='images/illus-cvr.jpg' alt='' /> +</div> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i2'></a><img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +Dolly. +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<div class='front'> +<p class='fs18 mb30'>Dolly’s          <br />College<br />              Experiences</p> +<p>BY</p> +<p class='fs12 mb30'>MABEL CRONISE JONES</p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img alt='emblem' src='images/illus-emb.jpg' /> +</div> + +<div class='front'> +<p class='mt30 sc'>The C. M. Clark Publishing Company</p> +<p>BOSTON                  MDCCCCIX</p> +</div> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<div class='front'> +<p class='fs08'>Copyright, 1909<br /> +THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO,<br /> +BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS<br /> +U. S. A.</p> +</div> +<hr class='th10' /> +<div class='front'> +<p class='fs08'>All Rights Reserved</p> +</div> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<table summary='List of Illustrations'> +<tr><td colspan='2' align='center' class='fs12 mb10'>ILLUSTRATIONS</td></tr> +<tr><td colspan='2' align='right' class='fs08 mb05'>PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>Dolly</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i2'><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>“My brother says that I can heat water splendidly”</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i3'>9</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as they took their usual walk</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i4'>35</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>There were music and singing later in the evening</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i5'>62</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>A moment later Dolly had been introduced to Beth’s father</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i6'>107</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>“Let me introduce you to two more of your classmates”</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i7'>156</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>“Father could really get the papers by mail quite as well, I think, Mother”</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i8'>206</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class='loi1'>“Aren’t you going to say anything to me, Dolly?”</td><td class='loi2'><a href='#link_i9'>267</a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<p class='center fs12 mb30'>DOLLY’S          <br />COLLEGE<br />              EXPERIENCES</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<h1>Dolly’s College Experiences</h1> + +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_1'></a>1</span><a id='link_1'></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>Sitting</span> down on the edge of the bed, Dolly +looked around forlornly enough.</p> + +<p>Of course, she wanted to go to college, but +for the first time she realized how dreadful +it was, to be away from all the home-folks. +In all those great buildings, with their hundreds +of students, there was not a soul that +Dolly knew.</p> + +<p>Outside the door she could hear the old +girls talking and chattering together. But +she was not an old girl. She was just an +insignificant little Freshman. No one took +the least notice of her.</p> + +<p>Her father had put her on the train and +had even come part way with her. But the +real loneliness commenced after she reached +Westover.</p> + +<p>The college bus was there, and there was a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_2'></a>2</span> +good-natured man whom the girls all hailed +as Patrick, and who seemed to belong to the +college. He was evidently an expert at picking +out the students, for when he caught sight +of Dolly, he had walked up to her respectfully, +and had inquired if she were not going to +Westover College.</p> + +<p>Then he put her safely into the bus, took +her checks and looked after her bundles. +A few moments later the bus was filled to +overflowing with girls, the most of them apparently +old students, for they seemed well +acquainted with each other and were chattering +like magpies. Some of them had been +on the same train as Dolly, and our poor +little Freshman had looked at them then +with wistful, speculative eyes. But she had +been too shy to attempt any conversation +with them.</p> + +<p>When they reached the college, all too +soon for Dolly, she had hung back irresolutely, +while the rest rushed up and embraced +the teachers who stood in the reception room, +ready to receive the newcomers.</p> + +<p>She was feeling quite left out in the cold, +and wishing heartily that she was back in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_3'></a>3</span> +the home-nest. Only for a moment, though. +Her hand was cordially taken, and she turned +to find herself addressed by a sweet-faced +little woman, much shorter than Dolly herself, +with gray hair and kindly eyes.</p> + +<p>“I think this must be Miss Alden. Am I +right?”</p> + +<p>“Quite right, but I do not see how you +knew.”</p> + +<p>“Your father telegraphed that you would +come by this train, and you see, my dear, +that you are the only Freshman in the crowd, +so that it did not require much shrewdness on +my part to pick you out. Now let me introduce +you to some of the girls. You will +soon feel acquainted here, I know. Margery,” +and as a tall, rather handsome girl turned +around, she added; “I want you to meet +Miss Alden, one of our new girls. Miss Ainsworth–and +here are Miss Rummel, Miss +Paterson and Miss Graves. Margery, will +you show Miss Alden to 77? Your room-mate +will not be here for several days yet. +She is detained by her sister’s marriage, +which will occur this week. I hope you will +like her; we tried to do our best in the arrangement +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_4'></a>4</span> +of room-mates; next year, you can +select your own. Excuse me now.” And +she turned to another newcomer, and Dolly +followed Miss Ainsworth down the long +corridor.</p> + +<p>“You will like Westover, I’m sure,” Miss +Ainsworth remarked sedately; she evidently +thought it her duty to make small talk, and +act as Dolly’s temporary guardian. “Of +course, you’ll feel lonesome at first until you +get fitted in; all the girls do, but that soon +wears off.”</p> + +<p>“Are you a Senior?” queried Dolly innocently. +Miss Ainsworth seemed so very +old and so very superior, that Dolly could +only think of her as a Senior.</p> + +<p>Her companion’s cheeks flushed perceptibly +as she answered stiffly; “No, I am not a +Senior yet. Here is your room, Miss Alden. +The bedroom on the right will be yours, I +suppose, as I see that they have put your +trunk there. The one on the left will be your +room-mate’s, and you will use this sitting-room +in common.”</p> + +<p>After a few more words Dolly’s companion +passed on, and the unfortunate Freshman +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_5'></a>5</span> +wandered dolefully into her bedroom and sat +down on the edge of the bed where we first +saw her.</p> + +<p>As a rule, Dolly and tears were strangers, +but just now poor Dolly felt unutterably +miserable. Not only was she homesick, but +she felt outside all the college fun and good +camaraderie of the place.</p> + +<p>“I ought to unpack that trunk and take +off my things,” she told herself, but she felt +more inclined to run out of the door, back +to the depot and on board the first train +bound for her home.</p> + +<p>“Well, of all the forlorn damsels I ever +saw, you certainly are the worst, and I thought +you looked so full of fun when I noticed you +downstairs.”</p> + +<p>Dolly glanced up in surprise, to see a merry +face regarding her from the doorway. The +newcomer was much below medium height, +with a very freckled face, very red, curly +hair, and a very good-natured expression.</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you feel forlorn yourself last year?” +retorted Dolly. “Or, if you are a dignified +Junior or Senior, I suppose you have forgotten +how poor little Freshmen feel, when they are +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_6'></a>6</span> +dumped in with a lot of strangers. I am +just like a cat in a strange garret.”</p> + +<p>“You are no stranger than I,” and the +newcomer ensconced herself in the only +rocking-chair that the room afforded. “I’m +a Freshman like yourself, only I got here last +evening. I’m Elizabeth Newby, at your +service,” and she made a sweeping bow. +“I saw you come in and I thought I’d make +an early call, but I <i>did</i> suppose you would +have your things off by this time.”</p> + +<p>“It was awfully good of you to come,” +said Dolly gratefully. “I’ll get my things +off and brush up a bit.” She turned and +looked suddenly at her new acquaintance. +“How does it come that you are not homesick? +Everything must be as strange to you +as it is to me, but you look jolly and happy.”</p> + +<p>“I am,” returned the other emphatically. +“You may not know it, but homesickness +is a luxury in which only the fortunate can +indulge. I’m not troubled with it. Now +tell me, can I help you with your trunk? +My things are all in order. When you have +fixed up your room and had Patrick put your +trunk away, you will feel that you are here +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_7'></a>7</span> +to stay, and you will begin to be more comfortable +in your mind.”</p> + +<p>“If you don’t mind helping me then,” +and Dolly commenced to tug at her straps +energetically.</p> + +<p>“I want to do it. I like to be poking into +other people’s affairs, it keeps one from +thinking.”</p> + +<p>“Then you are homesick, after all?” and +Dolly glanced up with twinkling eyes.</p> + +<p>“No, I am not. I am only homesick because +I am <i>not</i> homesick, and that is Greek +or worse to you.”</p> + +<p>Dolly gave her companion a keen look, but +said no more. There was evidently something +in the background, and Dolly surmised that +Elizabeth’s home-life, for some reason or +other, was not as happy as it should be.</p> + +<p>“What lovely, dainty things you have for +your sitting-room!” and Elizabeth held up +an armful of pretty articles with honest admiration. +“My room looks as prim as an +old maid’s. I never thought of these little +accessories.”</p> + +<p>“Those are what I had in my room at home, +and Mother thought that I had better bring +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_8'></a>8</span> +them. They <i>will</i> make these rooms look +quite natural.”</p> + +<p>“They just will. I wish we were room-mates, +for I haven’t an earthly thing to trim +up with, and neither has my room-mate.”</p> + +<p>“Who is your room-mate? Do you know +her? Is she nice?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know her. Her name is Margaret +Ainsworth. She’s a Sophomore, and between +ourselves I don’t believe that we shall have +much to do with each other.”</p> + +<p>“Then it was your room-mate who brought +me here. I thought that she was a Junior +at least.”</p> + +<p>“Only a Sophomore, my dear, and a conditioned +one at that, though to hear her talk +you would suppose that she was taking a +post-graduate course.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it funny that she hasn’t any little +decorations for your sitting-room, as she is +an old student?”</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i3'></a><img src='images/illus-009.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +“My brother says that I can heat water splendidly.” +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_9'></a>9</span>Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. “I +found out that she expected to room with +Charlotte Graves. They roomed together last +year, you know, just by chance. The Faculty +put them together just as they are giving us +room-mates now, for I didn’t know anyone +with whom I wished to room this year, and +I suppose you didn’t. Well, Miss Graves is +the richest girl here, and she had loads of +beautiful things, so that their suite was just +a dream of beauty, according to my room-mate’s +account. It seems that she was not +as anxious to room with Miss Ainsworth again +as Miss Ainsworth was to room with her, and +she quietly made arrangements to have a +room all to herself, and that is how it all +happened. She was put in with me at the +last moment, to our mutual disgust, I expect.”</p> + +<p>Dolly stopped in her unpacking. “I didn’t +know that anyone could room alone.”</p> + +<p>“You have to pay a steep price for the +privilege, but Miss Graves can afford it. What +a dear chafing-dish. Can you cook with +it?”</p> + +<p>“My brother says that I can heat water +splendidly,” and Dolly laughed. “I don’t +think any girl with a brother is apt to grow +conceited, though Fred is a dear and would +do anything in the world for me. I really +<i>can</i> make lovely fudge, though, and very good +tea. Mother was a little afraid of fire because +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_10'></a>10</span> +of the alcohol lamp, but I have promised to +be dreadfully careful. I have some chocolate +in that box.”</p> + +<p>“Let’s make fudge tonight,” said Elizabeth, +enthusiastically. “That will keep you +from getting homesick. You can make it +and I will eat it.”</p> + +<p>“Can we do it? I don’t know anything +about the rules here yet.”</p> + +<p>“There will not be many rules enforced +this week. Professor Graydon told me that +much. She is the teacher to whom you were +talking when you first came in. I know I +shall like her. I haven’t made up my mind +about the others yet.”</p> + +<p>“There, that is the last thing!” and Dolly +drew a breath of relief, “the trunks are +empty anyway. What shall I do with them +now, Miss Newby?”</p> + +<p>“In the name of goodness, don’t call me +Miss Newby. I’m Elizabeth. I’ll let Patrick +know that they are ready, and he will carry +them off to the trunk-room at once. I’ve +only been here twenty-four hours, but I’ve +found out that this college would never run +without Patrick. And Patrick knows it.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_11'></a>11</span>She started from the room on her self-appointed +errand, but put her head back to +call out; “If you have any specially stunning +gown, just get it out. Tonight will be a good +time to wear it. Hustle the rest of your +things away and dress.”</p> + +<p>“Now, why–,” commenced Dolly. But +Elizabeth had vanished and Dolly was questioning +the empty air.</p> + +<p>“I suppose I had better do as she says,” +Dolly soliloquized. “I like her immensely. +I should be sitting on the bed dissolved in +tears if she had not come in. I wonder where +she lives. Here I have told her all about +home, and Mother and Father and Fred, and +she has not said a word about herself. How +long she is getting back.”</p> + +<p>In fact, before Elizabeth returned, Dolly +had put away all of her belongings, and had +donned a pretty white dress which the warm +day rendered appropriate.</p> + +<p>She was giving a last pat to her hair, when +a knock came at the door, and a moment later +Elizabeth’s face peered into the bedroom.</p> + +<p>“Oh, I see why you were so long returning. +I concluded that you had forgotten me and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_12'></a>12</span> +had gone off to help some other Freshman +unpack.”</p> + +<p>“No, thanks,” and Elizabeth gave a little +shrug that Dolly soon learned to be characteristic. +“I’m not in the missionary business. +I just took a fancy to you, and I saw that you +had no friends here any more than I did. +We were two of a kind. Do you like my +dress?”</p> + +<p>“Immensely. That shade of blue is just +your color. But why are we dressing up, +please? Is this a daily performance?”</p> + +<p>“Hardly. The Sophomores are going to +pay their respects to the new girls tonight, and +while there is nothing like hazing allowed +here, there are all sorts of tricks played that +the Faculty never takes any notice of. I +thought that we might feel more ready for +them if we had the moral support of our best +clothes.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know so much? and what +shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“I spent last evening in Professor Graydon’s +room, and she told me everything that she +thought a Freshman ought to know. If you +want me to, I will come over here and we can +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span> +receive together. Your room is stunning +and we can certainly hold our own.”</p> + +<p>“I thought we were going to make fudge.”</p> + +<p>“So we shall, but we’ll hide it when they +come. Don’t waste candy on Sophomores, +my dear.”</p> + +<p>Dolly looked up with a sparkle in her eye. +“What will they do?”</p> + +<p>“There’s no telling. Nothing dreadful. +Make us sing for them or recite, or go through +some absurdity.”</p> + +<p>“If we refuse?”</p> + +<p>“They will simply let us alone, not only +tonight, but during the rest of the year. The +best thing is to meet them good-naturedly, +do what they require, and turn the tables on +them, if we can.”</p> + +<p>“You must come here, of course. ’Tis a +pity if a few Sophomores can frighten us with +their jokes. I know one thing that we can +do, Elizabeth. You see there is some advantage +in having a brother.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span><a id='link_2'></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>“What?</span> Tell me quickly. I would give +almost anything to get ahead of Margaret +Ainsworth. I know that she will be one of +those to come. You must have done something, +Dolly, to offend her, for she seems +to meditate vengeance on you.”</p> + +<p>Dolly drew her brows together in a perplexed +frown. “I asked if she were a Senior, +and she did–”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth shouted: “Of course she did. +She doubtless supposed you were trying to be +sarcastic. Well, never mind. Hear that awful +gong? Dinner will be ready in five minutes +now. Come down to the veranda, and I will +tell you who some of the people are.”</p> + +<p>Dolly was quite ready to go, and as they +ran lightly down the steps, she confided in a +whisper to Elizabeth her plan for the Sophomores’ +discomfiture.</p> + +<p>“You are a genius; I am sure that will work! +Hurrah! Oh, Miss Randall, I want you to +meet Miss Alden. Can’t we sit at your table +tonight?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>“Of course you can, I shall be very glad to +have you. Miss Alden, I know that you are +going to do fine work here, your entrance examinations +were most excellent.”</p> + +<p>Then she passed on, leaving Dolly happy +and Elizabeth surprised. “I hadn’t supposed +that you were a bookworm and a student, +and all that. You don’t look it.”</p> + +<p>“Mother has always helped me and been so +interested in my lessons. It will be hard to +study without her. She has always explained +and encouraged me. I shall miss her fearfully.”</p> + +<p>“I suppose you will,” said Elizabeth slowly, +with a hard look on her face that prevented +further conversation on that point.</p> + +<p>The girls took whatever seats they wished +at the table for the first few days. The next +week they would be given permanent places.</p> + +<p>With her new friend beside her, Dolly found +the meal pleasant enough.</p> + +<p>Afterward, they hurried to Dolly’s sitting-room +and began their preparations for making +fudge. There was lots of fun and laughter +over it.</p> + +<p>“How many do you think will come? I +want just about enough pieces on this plate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span> +to go around. If any should be left over, +they might want us to finish it, and I think +that we may have had enough by that time.”</p> + +<p>“I am sure that we shall,” and Elizabeth +nibbled away voraciously. “How small you +are making the pieces, Dolly.”</p> + +<p>“No need of wasting anything. I want +each one to have a piece small enough so +that she will put it all in her mouth at once. +See? You did not tell me how many guests +we might expect.”</p> + +<p>“About fifteen, I think. They go out in +squads. All of them cannot visit every +Freshman, so they divide up. I heard them +talking in our sitting-room while I was dressing. +They didn’t know that I was there, +fortunately.”</p> + +<p>“I’m going to shove that plate half under +the paper, so–” suiting the action to the +word, “they will think we are hiding it from +them. Here are some pieces for us to nibble. +Quick, sit down; take the candy in your hand, +I hear them coming.”</p> + +<p>A knock at the door.</p> + +<p>“Come in.”</p> + +<p>“Arise and open the door.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span>Dolly smothered a giggle and glanced inquiringly +at Elizabeth, who nodded her head. +So she crossed to the door and swung it wide. +Fifteen Sophomores in fantastic kimonos +and stately head-dresses stood outside.</p> + +<p>“Freshies, we have come to inspect your +premises. Stand aside while we enter and +examine you as regards your worthiness to +remain within these sacred precincts. Stand +in front of us, so!”</p> + +<p>There was a moment’s pause while the +fifteen uninvited guests took possession of +the few chairs, window-seats and stools which +the room afforded.</p> + +<p>“Miss Alden, you may answer first. What +is the chief duty of every Freshman?”</p> + +<p>“To squelch the Sophomores,” returned +Dolly promptly.</p> + +<p>A deep groan sounded from all fifteen. +“Wrong! Wrong! You have not the first +idea of your fundamental duties. We shall +be obliged to send you home, I fear. Miss +Newby, answer!”</p> + +<p>“Most potent, grave and reverend Sophomores, +the great duty of every Freshman is +to try and become a Sophomore herself, so +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span> +that she may try to impress unsophisticated +Freshies with a sense of her own importance +and make everyone forget that she herself +was nothing but a Freshman one short year–”</p> + +<p>“Stop! Wrong! Wrong!” and a chorus +of groans again broke forth. “The obvious +duty of every Freshie is to run errands for the +Sophomores and make life as pleasant as +possible for them. Miss Alden, I see a banjo +on the table there. Sing something to us.”</p> + +<p>Dolly picked up the instrument with a +mock-humble bow and touched the strings, +a little uncertainly for a moment, but her +touch soon became firmer, and a malicious +little twinkle appeared in her eye.</p> + +<div class='poetry'> +<p>“Oh, these Sophomores, vain Sophomores,</p> +<p>In all their swelling pride,</p> +<p>I would to them the giftie gie,</p> +<p>To see–”</p> +</div> + +<p>“Stop!” The fifteen rose majestically to +their feet as Dolly, with assumed meekness, +dropped her instrument at her side. “You +may expect to hear from the faculty tomorrow. +I regret that it is impossible for +you to be retained at this hall of learning. +Your influence would doubtless corrupt the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span> +other Freshmen, and teach them insubordination. +You have also been guilty of greediness. +I see the remains of a repast which you +tried to conceal as we entered. You are +ordered to pass that plate to your superiors.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth demurely obeyed the command. +The bits of fudge were small, and there were +just enough to go around. They were taken +with great stateliness and dignity, but a +moment later the room was filled with groans, +coughs, shrieks and wrathful exclamations.</p> + +<p>“They would poison us!” “Let us be +avenged!” “Choke them!” “Perish the +Freshmen!” “Water, minions! water!”</p> + +<p>But Dolly and Elizabeth had taken good +care that there should be no water at hand, +so the unlucky Sophomores rushed away to +their own rooms, followed by the taunting +laughter of the two Freshmen and many +gratuitous pieces of advice.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if they will try to pay us back,” +Dolly said, with sudden gravity.</p> + +<p>“No, tonight ends it all; Professor Graydon +told me so. The Sophomores are allowed to +air their new dignity this one evening, but +nothing is tolerated after tonight. I do not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span> +think they came out much ahead of us. I +must go now, Dolly, I wish I were your room-mate, +but I presume that you will have a +much more congenial one than I would be.”</p> + +<p>“I do not think so,” Dolly said, with evident +sincerity. “I have a dreadful feeling +whenever you mention her. Good-night, and +thank you a thousand times.”</p> + +<p>The next few days were busy ones. Dolly +had new studies planned out for the term, +and she found to her delight that she and +Elizabeth had elected the same courses. The +two were congenial, though Elizabeth was as +reticent as Dolly was frank and open. Dolly +had begun to hope that her unknown room-mate +would not arrive at all, but on Tuesday, +when she returned from her recitation in +history, she found that Miss Sutherland had +appeared.</p> + +<p>In fact there was no doubt that she was +there, and had been there for a couple of +hours at least.</p> + +<p>Dolly’s dainty pink pillows, banners, and +other trifles, had been summarily displaced. +She could see no vestige of them. The room +was now ornamented in a stiff sort of fashion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span> +with brilliant red tidies, afghans, and other +things which Dolly considered quite antediluvian. +The room had lost all of its dainty +personality and prettiness. It certainly +looked very unattractive, and it was not much +wonder that Dolly drew a deep breath of +disgust.</p> + +<p>The sound reached the ears of the newcomer, +and she turned quickly. Dolly’s bright eyes +took in every detail, the thick hair drawn +back so tightly and unbecomingly, the heavy +brown dress, just the shade that the girl with +such a dark, sallow complexion should never +have worn, the cheap jewelry and the clumsy +shoes. And she must room with this girl instead +of with Elizabeth–it was too bad, it +was–and Dolly’s whole soul rose up in +rebellion.</p> + +<p>“You are Miss Alden, aren’t you? I am +Mary Sutherland. I just came, and I have +been trying to get my things in order.”</p> + +<p>“I see.” Dolly glanced dryly around the +room. “Where are my belongings?”</p> + +<p>“I put them carefully on your bed, they +were so pretty that it seemed a shame to have +them get soiled; red is more substantial than +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span> +pink, and of course, the two colors would +not go well together–at least, I thought +not”–looking a little timidly at Dolly’s unresponsive +face.</p> + +<p>“No! I quite agree that pink and red +don’t harmonize, at least these particular +shades,” and Dolly passed on to her bedroom +and closed the door. She sat down on +her bed while angry tears rose in her eyes. +She was just beginning to make some pleasant +acquaintances among the girls. They liked +to come to her pretty room and eat her fudge +and drink her tea. There had been several +gay evenings. But how could she ever bring +them into such a room as this was now? It +was worse than a nightmare.</p> + +<p>The clang of the gong reminded her that +she must hurry to the lecture on Roman art.</p> + +<p>She picked up her note-book and pencil, and +rushed down the corridor.</p> + +<p>“Wait, oh, wait, my bonny maid,” and +Elizabeth caught her arm. “Why, Dolly, +you have been crying!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am an awful goose. But you see +my room-mate has come, and–”</p> + +<p>“I saw her, she hardly strikes me as being +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span> +your style, but she will be quiet and inoffensive, +I imagine.”</p> + +<p>“Quiet and inoffensive?” Dolly gave a +hysterical laugh. “Just wait until you see +my room; all of my pretty things are reposing +on my bed now, and that sitting-room is too +awful to contemplate.”</p> + +<p>“Dorothy Alden, are you in earnest?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am. Of course, I suppose I had +taken possession of it rather coolly, but at +least it is half mine.”</p> + +<p>“Didn’t you give her to understand that?”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t. I was very angry, and I remembered +that Mother made me promise to +think twice before I acted, when I got furious. +I shall propose something, though, when I go +back. We might take the room by alternate +weeks, or each of us trim a half of it. Which +do you think would be the better plan?”</p> + +<p>“Either is bad,” Elizabeth said decisively. +“Why, oh, why, were we not put together? +You could have had your things then in peace, +and it would have saved me all the bother I +am having now. I didn’t think about my +room before I came, and now that Miss Ainsworth +has nothing to liven us up with either, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span> +we look as prim as a Quaker meeting-house. I +have ordered some things, however, that will +make us gorgeous. What do you say to a +yellow room?”</p> + +<p>“I say that it will be handsome if your +room-mate leaves the arrangement in your +hands.”</p> + +<p>“I made sure of that before I ordered anything,” +Elizabeth said, with a wise nod. +“She was very willing that I should do all I +wished, and on that understanding I went +ahead.”</p> + +<p>The girls had reached the lecture-room by +this time, and further discussion was impossible; +but all through Professor Randall’s talk, +Dolly’s thoughts roamed to the room she had +left. How could she stand it? Dolly was +exceedingly susceptible by nature to all artistic +effects, and anything inharmonious grated +on her.</p> + +<p>She acknowledged to herself that Miss +Sutherland did not seem aggressive, and apparently +she had not acted as she had done +through any petty spirit. As far as Dolly +could judge, she was merely tactless and +tasteless.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span>She and Elizabeth talked the matter over +a little more as they walked back to their +rooms, but Elizabeth abstained from offering +any advice. “I’ll go in and see how the place +looks. I’m curious to meet Miss Sutherland +anyway.”</p> + +<p>They found her sitting on the easiest rocking-chair, +studying the college catalogue. +She rose quickly as the girls came in, and +Dolly introduced her friend. They tried to +make the conversation general, but it was +no easy matter. Mary Sutherland would +answer questions, and occasionally ask one +herself, but when the conversation took a +wider range, she sat by, looking out of place +and constrained.</p> + +<p>There was a knock at the door, and Charlotte +Graves entered, followed by Winifred +Paterson and Ada Rummel. They were all +Sophomores, and had been among the fifteen +who had called on Dolly the first evening.</p> + +<p>They had swallowed the red pepper which +Dolly had hid in the fudge as best they could, +and none of them bore any malice. “All +things were fair in love and college,” as Charlotte +Graves tersely remarked.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span>The trio halted now on the threshold in +open astonishment.</p> + +<p>“What have you been doing to your room, +Miss Alden?” Winifred demanded abruptly. +“For a Freshman you showed most unusual +taste, and you had about the prettiest den +out, but now–pardon me if I ask why this +thusness? It is quite too awful.”</p> + +<p>Dolly carefully refrained from looking at +her room-mate. Miss Paterson was certainly +frank to the verge of rudeness.</p> + +<p>“Pray have some seats, most august Sophomores. +You see that red is more serviceable +than pink, and in view of the fact that we are +liable to have numerous visits from those who +were Freshmen last year, and who of course +do not know how to treat delicate things with +proper respect–”</p> + +<p>“Well, let me tell you one thing,” Miss +Graves interrupted, “you will be troubled +with precious few calls from anyone if you +intend to make this a permanent thing.”</p> + +<p>Dolly’s cheeks flushed. She must stop +them at any cost. Despite her own annoyance, +she could not help feeling sorry for +Miss Sutherland, who evidently thought that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span> +she had made the room charming. She +turned to introduce her, but she was only +in time to see her vanish into her own bedroom. +Dolly’s quick ears caught the sound +of a sob as the door closed.</p> + +<p>She forgot her own anger of an hour before +and turned wrathfully on her guests. “Commend +me to Sophomores for superlative rudeness +and a total disregard of the feelings of +others. These articles belong to my room-mate. +She just came. She hasn’t met any +of the girls yet, and you have given her a +beautiful welcome, haven’t you?” Dolly’s +cheeks burned like coals of fire. She spoke +in a low tone so that her words should not be +heard in the adjoining room, but every +syllable was vibrant with feeling.</p> + +<p>The Sophomores looked ashamed. “Bring +her out and let me apologize,” begged Winifred.</p> + +<p>“And make a bad matter worse? Not +much. We will all go out for a walk until +dinner-time. I hope,” added Dolly, severely, +“that when I become a Sophomore I shall +not forget all my manners.”</p> + +<p>“Come, my dear, cool down,” Charlotte +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span> +Graves said languidly, putting her own arm +through Dolly’s. “It strikes me that you +have forgotten your manners already to talk +so to your own guests.”</p> + +<p>There was a ripple of laughter at this, and +Dolly looked a trifle shamefaced. “I was +making general remarks,” she said loftily.</p> + +<p>“Come on, we shall forgive you this once, +and Winifred shall eat humble-pie for your +room-mate’s benefit at the first opportunity. +As class president I decree it.”</p> + +<p>There by tacit consent, the subject dropped. +The girls had a pleasant walk, and when the +dinner-gong sounded, Dolly hurried up to her +room; she knew that she would not find her +room-mate very congenial, but at least she +would not be so selfish as to let Miss Sutherland +go down to the dining-room alone, on +this first night.</p> + +<p>As she opened the door of their common +sitting-room she stopped in amazement.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span><a id='link_3'></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>She</span> looked around with a gasp of surprise, +and then rubbed her eyes to make sure she +was not dreaming. All of her own dainty +trifles were back in place. Every vestige of +the obnoxious red decorations had vanished.</p> + +<p>Dolly felt a sudden moisture in her eyes. +The poor girl! She knocked lightly on Miss +Sutherland’s door. There was a faint stir +inside, but no response. Dolly hesitated, +and then boldly opened the door.</p> + +<p>“Excuse me, please, for coming in when +you did not ask me to, but I was sure you +were here, and you must come down to +dinner at once.”</p> + +<p>“I am not going down tonight.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed you are,” Dolly said, after one +comprehensive look at the mottled, tear-stained +face before her. “The students must +all be on hand promptly for meals. I cannot +take you to my table, for that is full now, and +we have been given our permanent places for +the term, but I will introduce you to Professor +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span> +Newton; there is a vacant place at her +table, I know. You will like her, I am sure.”</p> + +<p>Miss Sutherland gave her room-mate a +curious look, started to say something, changed +her mind, and then got up from the bed and +commenced to brush her hair back with +nervous, impatient fingers.</p> + +<p>“Don’t do that,” Dolly ejaculated suddenly, +“can’t you see how much better you look +when your hair lies loosely, so as to soften +the outlines of your face? Here, give me the +brush.”</p> + +<p>She took the brush and comb from Miss +Sutherland’s hand, pushed her down into a +chair, and worked rapidly for two or three +minutes. “There, the last bell will ring in +a second and there is no time to fuss with it +longer tonight, but can’t you see how much +better it looks? You have such lovely hair +that it is too bad to spoil it.”</p> + +<p>“Mother always liked it combed straight +back,” was all Miss Sutherland vouchsafed, +speaking in a very distant tone.</p> + +<p>Dolly flushed. Would she never learn to +be less impetuous, she wondered, and to +mind her own business? She felt like a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span> +child of three, whose ears had been soundly +boxed.</p> + +<p>“There was no need, Miss Sutherland, for +you to change the arrangement of the sitting-room. +Of course you have rights there as +well as I.” The matter had better be settled +now, Dolly thought, at once and forever. +“I suppose red and pink would hardly answer +in the same room at the same time, but we +might agree on some third color together, +and you fix part of the room and I part, or +else you could have charge of the sitting-room +one month and I the next. Which +plan would you prefer?”</p> + +<p>Dolly listened anxiously for the reply. It +did not seem probable that her room-mate +would feel that she could afford to buy new +furnishings, and how could Dolly ever stand +the red atrocities for five months, even if her +beloved belongings were to be used for the +other five?</p> + +<p>There was no hesitancy in Miss Sutherland’s +answer. “I can’t afford to waste any +more money on things for my room, and I +shan’t put up my mother’s work for those +fools to laugh at, so I guess the sitting-room, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span> +as you call it, will likely stay as +it is.”</p> + +<p>Dolly felt uncomfortable. Miss Sutherland +had a way of putting things that made one +seem very small. It was clear, from the tone +of her voice, that she worshiped her mother, +and Dolly could see how the ridicule of her +mother’s handiwork had hurt the girl’s feelings.</p> + +<p>“You must remember,” she said gently, +“that the sitting-room is as much yours as +mine. Forgive me if I had seemed to take +complete possession of it before you came.”</p> + +<p>“That won’t matter, I guess; I don’t suppose +I shall be in it much, anyway. I don’t seem +to belong there.”</p> + +<p>The dinner-gong sounded at that moment, +and Miss Sutherland went into the hall, +Dolly following in a very perturbed frame of +mind. “I will take you to Professor Newton +now,” she remarked as they reached the +dining-room door.</p> + +<p>“I don’t reckon that you need to, I know +Professor Newton,” Miss Sutherland returned, +with the queer little smile that Dolly again +failed to note.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span>“Oh, you met her when you came, did you? +Good-bye, then, for a few minutes,” and +Dolly crossed the room to Miss Randall’s +table, where Elizabeth was waiting for her. +Their seats were next each other, and after +the meal had fairly commenced, Dolly told +her all that had transpired up in her room.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth gave a soft whistle. “I pity you, +my dear; you see you have a tender conscience, +and you are going to bother yourself about +Miss Sutherland all of the time. Now, if I +were you, I should never give her another +thought, especially as your room has returned +to its normal condition.”</p> + +<p>“You slander yourself,” Dolly retorted, +“didn’t you act the part of a good Samaritan +to me?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you–you are different! Don’t you +know that you are going to be one of the most +popular girls here? You are pretty and +bright, and friendly with everyone.”</p> + +<p>“Hush up, Beth.”</p> + +<p>“How came you to call me that?”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth’s tone was queer, and Dolly +turned to look at her.</p> + +<p>“‘Beth,’ do you mean? It is often a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span> +nickname of Elizabeth, you know, and I have +always loved the name since the days of Miss +Alcott’s ‘Little Women.’ Don’t you like it?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I like it, but no one has called me +by it for years, and when you said it just now, +I felt absolutely startled.”</p> + +<p>“I will not use it again if you would rather +I did not.”</p> + +<p>“I would rather that you did, however,” +and then Elizabeth joined in the general +conversation around the table. Dolly wondered +if she did it to avoid further questioning.</p> + +<p>The college soon settled down to the regular +routine of work. Before a month had passed, +the Freshmen knew who their best students +were, and who stood a chance of being elected +class officers. The other three classes had +held their elections at the end of the first +fortnight, their old officers holding over until +that time.</p> + +<p>It was an unwritten law, however, that the +Freshmen should wait for their class elections +until Thanksgiving time; that would afford +opportunity for them to get acquainted with +each other, and to determine who were the +most suitable candidates.</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i4'></a><img src='images/illus-035.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as they took their usual walk. +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span>It was an all-important subject in the eyes +of the Freshmen, and so, not unnaturally, +Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as +they took their usual walk.</p> + +<p>“I believe that Margaret Hamilton will be +elected president,” predicted Dolly. “She +is so tall and handsome, she would be such a +magnificent president.”</p> + +<p>“She knows it,” returned Beth dryly. +“She has been posing for it ever since the term +opened. She dresses for it, talks for it, and +is always working for it–not openly, but in +a hundred little subtle ways.”</p> + +<p>“You don’t like Margaret.”</p> + +<p>“Not to any great extent, I’ll confess. I +would much rather see you class president.”</p> + +<p>“Me? I haven’t any dignity, and you +know it.”</p> + +<p>“Well, you have other qualifications that +are quite as desirable.”</p> + +<p>“I’m out of the question, so stop talking +about it. There goes Miss Hamilton now. +I wonder why she always turns down that +lane? It is a private one, you know, and +I’m sure she has no permission to go to the +house every day.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span>“I’m positive she doesn’t even know the +people,” Beth said, staring after her classmate. +“I am consumed with curiosity. What +do you suppose she does want, anyway?”</p> + +<p>“I have not the faintest idea, and I really +do not suppose that it concerns us, anyway. +What do you think?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t be snubby! Margaret Hamilton +is queer in some ways, though none of you +seem to have discovered it but myself.”</p> + +<p>“That simply shows what an imagination +you have. I must go into the library now +and scribble a note to Fred. I don’t see +when you get your home letters written, Beth. +I must send one to Father and Mother +twice a week, or they would think that I was +sick and rush on here: and Fred, off at +Harvard, demands one just as often. I told +him that I would write as long as he did, +but that when he commenced to shirk on his +letters to me, I would stop. So far he has +done remarkably well, and Mother likes me +to write him often, not mere notes, you know, +but long, chatty letters; she thinks that home-letters +help to keep boys out of temptation.”</p> + +<p>“I presume they do,” said Beth soberly, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span> +as if struck by a new thought. “Possibly +it would not hurt me to write to Roy, he is off +at a preparatory school.”</p> + +<p>“Have you a brother? I didn’t know it.”</p> + +<p>“I have not been much more communicative +than Margaret Hamilton, have I? +But I hardly imagine that our reasons are the +same for keeping so quiet: If there is time +after our letters are finished, I’ll give you a +biographical sketch of our family. Roy is my +half brother, I have no own brothers or sisters.”</p> + +<p>And then Beth commenced to talk of something +else as if she repented her momentary +confidence, and the girls went in to write +their letters.</p> + +<p>Beth finished first. “There, the surprise +that will strike Roy when he reads that +letter may bring on an apoplectic fit. ’Twill +be the very first letter he ever had from me.”</p> + +<p>“Has he been away from home long?”</p> + +<p>“This is his second year. I believe that +you are aware of the fact that I live in Philadelphia. +Father is a lawyer, and he isn’t a +poor one, either. He makes considerable +money, but I have my own money that was +my mother’s.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span>“Have you any other brothers beside Roy?”</p> + +<p>“As I said, I haven’t any brothers or sisters +really. Roy is ten, Hugh is eight, and Nell is +three. I think Roy is far too young to send +away to school, and I know that his mother +is of the same opinion. But Father seemed +to think that it was best.”</p> + +<p>“What do you call your stepmother, Beth?”</p> + +<p>“I do not think I ever called her anything +in speaking to her. Of course, I call her Mrs. +Newby when I allude to her, but that is very +seldom.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t she nice, Beth? I don’t mean to +be impertinent, but you know that I care for +you a great deal, and I cannot help feeling +concerned about everything regarding you.”</p> + +<p>“You couldn’t be impertinent if you tried, +Dolly, and I would answer your question if +I could. I really don’t know how she would +appear to an outsider. You must go home +with me sometime and judge for yourself. +She is a perfect lady, and that is about all that +I feel qualified to say.”</p> + +<p>Beth had talked all that she cared to on +the subject, and Dolly wisely let the matter +drop. Beth had told her no more than any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span> +mere acquaintance of the family’s could have +repeated. She had let Dolly know something +about her family, but nothing about her feelings. +It was months before the subject ever +came up again.</p> + +<p>As Thanksgiving time approached, the +Freshmen became very much excited over the +approaching election. Several girls were mentioned +in connection with the class presidency, +notably Margaret Hamilton and Dolly herself. +Abby Dunbar and Grace Chisholm +would also be candidates in all probability.</p> + +<p>Beth was intensely interested over the +affair, and Dolly suspected her of doing considerable +electioneering. It became more and +more evident, as the time drew nearer, that +Miss Hamilton and Dolly Alden would poll +the most votes. Dolly tried to keep cool and +unconcerned. It was a great surprise to her +that her name should even be mentioned in +this connection.</p> + +<p>“But you would like it–you know you +would like it!” insisted Beth as they went +over the question for the final time in Dolly’s +room. That was at noon on Monday, the +election would be held that evening.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span>“Why, yes,” said Dolly honestly, “I would +like it if it comes to me naturally, but I will +not beg any of the girls to vote for me. That +would spoil it all. If the girls prefer Miss +Hamilton, she ought to be elected. She +would make a much better presiding officer +than I.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t think so, do you, Miss Sutherland?” +and Beth turned to Dolly’s room-mate +who was the only other person present.</p> + +<p>Dolly broke in impetuously. “Don’t ask +Mary embarrassing questions. She doesn’t +have to vote for me just because we chance +to room together, and, of course, she knows +that Miss Hamilton would make a better +president than I. By the way, why don’t +you two drop formality and say ‘Elizabeth’ +and ‘Mary?’ It is quite time you did so.”</p> + +<p>“I shall be very glad to do so, if I may be +permitted,” Beth said. Then as she caught +a slight smile on Mary’s face, she added, +“Very well, that weighty matter is settled +for the remainder of the college course. You +see, I did not dare to say ‘Mary’ so familiarly +to one who is such a wonderful scholar in +biology as you.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span>“That is the only thing I <i>do</i> know, so please +do not make fun of me.”</p> + +<p>“Gracious, I would never dare to make +fun of you! We all hold our breath with awe +when you recite. Really, Mary, don’t look +so hurt and annoyed. We do admire you +tremendously. That is such an unusual +branch for a girl to fancy.”</p> + +<p>“You had better talk about the class election, +I think,” said Mary decidedly.</p> + +<p>“Why? do you think it will be close?”</p> + +<p>“Miss Hamilton’s friends are working hard. +Lots of the girls had no special preferences, +but I think all of those will vote for Miss +Hamilton now.”</p> + +<p>Beth groaned. “I am an idiot to sit still +here. I shall go right out in the highways +and byways of this building, and see if I cannot +accomplish something myself.”</p> + +<p>“You will stay here, Beth.”</p> + +<p>“I will not.”</p> + +<p>In the midst of the good-humored scrimmage +that followed, the lunch-gong sounded, +and the girls hurried to their rooms to freshen +up a wee bit before going to the dining-room.</p> + +<p>It was apparent early in the evening that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span> +Miss Hamilton’s friends felt confident of +victory. Their plans were well laid, and one +of their number was promptly elected chairman.</p> + +<p>The preliminary business was gotten out +of the way very speedily. Margaret Hamilton +was nominated for the class president by +Florence Smith. Beth nominated Dolly, and +then Abby Dunbar, Grace Chisholm and +Bessie Worth were quickly nominated by +their friends. The tellers distributed papers +and pencils and the balloting commenced.</p> + +<p>Dolly found herself actually trembling with +excitement. What fun it would be if she +could telegraph to Fred and sign her name, +“Dorothy Alden, President, Class ’09.”</p> + +<p>“I wish I were one of those tellers,” murmured +Beth. “It is simply maddening to sit +here and do nothing. Hush, there they come, +Dolly. Oh, I do hope that you were elected.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span><a id='link_4'></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>The</span> faces of the tellers told nothing as they +entered the room, carrying the little slip of +paper that meant so much to these Freshmen. +The chairman rapped loudly for order, and a +pin could have been heard drop while the result +was read:</p> + +<table style='margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto' summary='votes'> +<tr><td style='padding-right:3em'>Miss Hamilton</td><td align='right'>145</td><td align='center'>votes</td></tr> +<tr><td>Miss Alden</td><td align='right'>145</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Miss Dunbar</td><td align='right'>10</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Miss Chisholm</td><td align='right'>9</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +<tr><td>Miss Worth</td><td align='right'>6</td><td align='center'>"</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>“We’ll have to take another ballot,” Beth +said in a low tone excitedly. “How close it +is! Oh, Dolly, I do hope that you will get it.”</p> + +<p>The tension was growing too much. +Sharp things were said in undertones, and a +little bitterness was evident in the remarks +that were made and the suggestions that were +offered. Dolly sat back quietly, a troubled +look on her face. Even if she were elected, +half of the class would be more or less opposed +to her. There would certainly be two factions. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span> +What could she do? What was the <i>right</i> +thing to do? What would her mother advise?</p> + +<p>“I wonder if I ought to withdraw my +name?” Dolly said to herself, as another +acrimonious remark was made by one of +Margaret Hamilton’s admirers. “I have just +as much right to run as she has, and, if she is +elected I shall not be hateful to her. I shall +congratulate her, and do all that I can to +help her. I would like to be president, and +yet–”</p> + +<p>The tellers had returned again. The result +was announced amid a breathless silence.</p> + +<p>“Miss Hamilton, 157; Miss Alden, 157,” +announced the chairman of the tellers. “As +there are 315 present, it is quite evident that +someone did not vote.”</p> + +<p>Obeying a sudden impulse, Dolly rose to +her feet.</p> + +<p>“Madam Chairman, I did not cast any vote, +and while it may be a little irregular for me to +do so now, after the result has been announced, +I hope that I may be accorded that privilege. +If so, I cast my vote for Miss Hamilton.”</p> + +<p>For a moment no one spoke or seemed to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span> +take in the full meaning of Dolly’s generous +speech. Then there was a deafening uproar, +and the room was filled with wild cheers. +Dolly had done a fine thing, and the girls were +quick to show their appreciation of it.</p> + +<p>As soon as the hubbub had partially subsided, +Dolly was nominated for the vice-presidency +and unanimously elected. The +rest of the meeting went off smoothly. Something +in Dolly’s action had touched the better +nature of the girls, and they all felt secretly +ashamed of their momentary bitterness and +injustice. Beth was elected recording secretary, +and the other offices were filled without +ill feeling or jealousy.</p> + +<p>After the meeting Margaret Hamilton went +straight to Dolly. “I want to thank you for +my election,” she said, with outstretched +hand. “You are the most generous girl I +ever knew. I was glad to be elected,” with +a look in her eyes that Beth noted, but could +not understand. “But I do hope that sometime +I can help make <i>you</i> president. I +shall certainly not forget what you did.”</p> + +<p>They talked it over afterward in Dolly’s +room, girl-fashion. “There was no sense in +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span> +your doing that,” Beth said bluntly. “Of +course Margaret Hamilton voted for herself; +if you had voted for yourself at first, you +would have been elected. Don’t you see?”</p> + +<p>“And don’t you see how much feeling there +would have been in the class? I would much +rather be vice-president and be elected unanimously +the way I was, than to be president +twenty times over. We can’t afford to start +our Freshman year with factional feelings, +can we, Mary?”</p> + +<p>Dolly was in the habit of appealing to Mary +whenever she was present. She had discovered +that Mary Sutherland had a greatfund +of common sense, and then, too, she +did not like her room-mate to feel ignored. +She noticed that of late Mary was trying to +do her hair up as Dolly had done it for her +that first night. She had not yet become +expert in the process, but the result was much +more satisfactory than before. Dolly noted, +too, little changes in dress that softened the +harsh outlines and lent a little color to her +face. She longed to offer advice sometimes, +but the remembrance of the first night restrained +her. She would not invite any +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span> +snubs. If Mary Sutherland wished her help, +Dolly would give it willingly, but she was not +going to make any advances again. And yet +that was just what her shy, diffident room-mate +was longing to have her do. She had +not meant to repulse Dolly that first night, +but she had been feeling hurt and grieved +then, her ideals were all shattered, and out of +the depths of a heart loyal to her poor hardworking +mother, had come the remark that +made Dolly draw back, and that kept her from +ever proffering assistance or suggestions now.</p> + +<p>She and Mary saw comparatively little of +each other, considering that they were room-mates. +Both were Freshmen, but while Dolly +and Beth were taking the classical course, +Mary was taking the scientific. Mary’s recitations, +for the most part, came during Dolly’s +study hours. Of course there were the evenings, +but some way Mary was very seldom in +the room during the evening. Dolly often +wondered where she spent the time, for she +had no intimate friend. She was careful, +however, not to question her. They had +never reached a degree of intimacy that would +permit that.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span>Today Mary seemed more companionable +than usual, and Dolly found, to her astonishment, +that her taciturn room-mate had been +quite as disappointed as Beth over the outcome +of the elections. However, she was +more ready than Beth to acknowledge that +Dolly had done the only thing that could have +secured class harmony and good fellowship.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday noon college would close +for the balance of the week. Those students +who lived near enough could go home to eat +their Thanksgiving dinners, the rest would +stay at the Hall and get up such impromptu +entertainments as the occasion suggested +and their genius could devise. Dolly was +one of the fortunate ones who could go home. +Mary lived west of the Rocky Mountains, +and Beth seemed to have no desire to go home. +Dolly was wild over the prospect. Fred was +coming home from Harvard, and she could +stay until the early morning train on Monday. +“It is worth getting up at four o’clock,” she +announced decidedly. “Oh, by the way, I’ll +send Fred a telegram signed ‘Vice-President +Class ’09.’ That doesn’t sound as big as +‘President’ would, of course, but it will do. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span> +Patrick will take it down to the office for me. +Blessed Patrick.” She scratched off her message +humming gaily:</p> + +<div class='poetry'> +<p>“Hurrah! hurrah! oh, jubilation!</p> +<p>Two more days and then vacation;</p> +<p>No more Latin, no more French,</p> +<p>No more sitting on a hard wooden bench.”</p> +</div> + +<p>She turned suddenly and caught an expression +of utter homesickness and loneliness +on her room-mate’s face. Beth was looking +hard and bitter, a look that Dolly had come +to know and dread. She mentally anathematized +herself for talking of home before these +two girls. Then a brilliant thought struck +her.</p> + +<p>“I have a bit of news for you,” she announced +briefly. “It may be of interest to +you. The fact is, you are both going home +with me on Wednesday.”</p> + +<p>Her companions stared at her. “Don’t +be a goose, Dolly. ’Tis very good of you to +propose it, but your father and mother, to say +nothing of that brother of yours, will want +all of your time. They will not care to have +strangers there whom they must entertain.”</p> + +<p>“They will not entertain you, my dear. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span> +I am taking you to entertain a couple of boys +whom Fred proposes taking home. Don’t you +see how useful you can make yourselves?”</p> + +<p>“Elizabeth could,” Mary Sutherland replied +quietly, but with a certain wistfulness. +“I would be no help at all. I never could +talk to boys; then, I have no clothes to wear, +and you would be ashamed of me.”</p> + +<p>“If you cannot entertain boys, you must +learn to do it before you are a week older. +No one expects college girls to have many +clothes, so that part of the question is disposed +of. I am going to send an extra telegram to +Mother now, so that she will be sure to get a +large turkey. I don’t want you to go hungry +when you eat your Thanksgiving dinner +with me.”</p> + +<p>“But, Dolly–”</p> + +<p>“Oh, will you please be still? Both of you? +You interrupt me.”</p> + +<p>“You are wasting your money by sending +that telegram, and your strength in writing +it,” said Beth coolly, “for I, at least, am not +going.”</p> + +<p>But Dolly had a very persuasive way of her +own, and in the end both Beth and Mary +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span> +Sutherland succumbed, the latter, however, +not without sundry misgivings. “You know +that my dresses are old-fashioned and I cannot +afford any new ones. Will you not be +ashamed of me?”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” and while that was perfectly +true, Dolly knew that she could not +take the same pride in introducing Mary that +she could in introducing stylish, winning +Beth; for Beth, despite her red hair, was +strikingly pretty. Her freckles had disappeared +with the summer, and her gowns always +fitted to perfection. She could play +and sing and act. There was no doubt, at +all, but that she would prove very popular +with Fred’s chums. Beth was small and +slender, her eyes were a marvelously deep +blue and her complexion fair. Mary was tall, +dark and awkward. Her hair was thick, and, +properly arranged, showed its full beauty. +But Mary knew nothing of the art of dressing. +She felt it, and did not want her friend to be +ashamed of her. She went to the point directly, +which was characteristic of her, when +she had once made up her mind on a point.</p> + +<p>“Will you tell me what dresses to take, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span> +and can you give me any hints about fixing +my things up? Of course, I have not the +clothes that you and Elizabeth have, but if +you will help me, I will try to do the best I +can with my limited wardrobe.”</p> + +<p>Dolly studied a moment in silence. “White +always looks well, even if it is simple. You +have a couple of white dresses. They are +laundered, I know. Take both of them along, +you will need them for dinner dresses. Father +always likes us to dress a little for dinner. He +says it rests him to come home and see Mother +and me with something pretty on, and we +are quite ready to humor him. Then–I +think–yes–I am sure that you had better +wear your blue for a travelling dress. You’ll +not need anything else, for we shall be gone +such a little time. Have you bright ribbons? +Never mind if you haven’t. We shall all draw +on Mother’s stock, she is used to that sort of +thing, and doesn’t mind a bit.”</p> + +<p>“I must go down town today to buy a hat. +Would you very much mind going with me +to help?”</p> + +<p>“Not at all. I just love to buy things, but +Beth and I have been down town so often +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span> +lately that Miss Newton may refuse permission.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll fix that part,” Mary said quietly.</p> + +<p>“You will? How confidently you say that. +Professor Newton is very nice, my dear, and +I adore her, but I don’t imagine that she is +very easily ‘fixed.’”</p> + +<p>Miss Sutherland looked amused. “I will +go and speak to her now,” was all she said.</p> + +<p>She came back with the desired permission, +and the two went off gaily, while Beth went +to her room to write to Roy. To Beth’s +great surprise, Roy had answered that first +letter of hers very promptly, and though his +letter had been the short, unsatisfactory kind +that boys always write, especially boys as +young as Roy, Beth had been touched and +pleased at his evident delight over the fact +that she had written to him. Since then her +missives went regularly. She felt sorry for +the homesick lad. “I wonder if Dolly’s +father would have sent Fred off at that age,” +she said to herself. “I am anxious to see +Dolly’s people. Shall I like them? Well, +the vacation is not long, anyway.”</p> + +<p>No, it would not be long, and yet there +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span> +would be plenty of time in it for the happening +of various things of more or less importance +to the college lassies.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span><a id='link_5'></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>When</span> the train on Wednesday evening +halted for a moment at the first suburban +station outside Dolly’s city home, she gave +a little shriek of surprise and delight. A +moment later three young men entered the +Pullman where Dolly and her friends were +seated.</p> + +<p>One of the young men was instantly +pounced upon by Dolly and given an enthusiastic +reception; meanwhile his two companions +stood back smilingly, and proceeded to scrutinize +Dolly’s companions very closely.</p> + +<p>“Oh, dear, where shall we begin with the +introductions? We have all got to be introduced, +I see. Well, this is my brother, Fred, +Miss Newby and Miss Sutherland. He is +really very nice, girls. I have brought him up +quite properly.”</p> + +<p>“The bringing up was altogether the other +way, as I chance to be a couple of years my +sister’s senior. Now, boys, come forward.” +A moment later and the girls had formally +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span> +made the acquaintance of “Mr. Martin” and +“Mr. Steele.”</p> + +<p>“I told the mater to let us meet you, and +she finally consented, though she made us +promise not to loiter on the way. We got +here this morning, you know.”</p> + +<p>“How jolly, Fred, and oh! how good it is to +be at home once more,” Dolly said, as the +train came to a standstill in the great station. +“Let us walk up, we can get there in ten +minutes and we can talk so much better +that way. Tell me about your friends, +Fred.”</p> + +<p>“There’s not time to tell you very much, +but I’ll give you the main points. Steele is +working his way through college. He is one +of the most popular men there. He hasn’t +a near relation in the world. He was born +somewhere out West. His father took a claim; +dry seasons, big mortgage and prairie fires +killed the mother and the father, too. There +wasn’t a cent left for Bob. He has done +about everything that a boy could do, I +guess, and he has lived in every large city +between here and Kansas. He was three +years in Chicago, and managed to graduate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span> +from the High School there. Did jobs for +some millionaire night and morning for his +board and a dollar a week. Wherever he +lived he went to school. That’s how he +managed to prepare for college.”</p> + +<p>“But how does he do now?”</p> + +<p>“He won a scholarship, and then he is +steward of our club. He does private tutoring +and half a dozen other things. He’ll get +along. He had more invitations for Thanksgiving, +I’ll wager, than any other fellow in +college.”</p> + +<p>“And Mr. Martin? Talk fast. We are +almost home. You know all about the girls, +for I told you all that I could think of in my +letters.”</p> + +<p>“There isn’t so much to tell about Martin, +Dolly. He comes from one of the oldest +families in Boston, has lots of money, and +plenty of brains, but he is fearfully lazy. +What he needs–”</p> + +<p>But Fred’s sentence was destined to remain +unfinished, for just then the sextette came +in sight of Dolly’s home, and Dolly spied in +the doorway the person whom she most loved +on earth. With one spring she vanished +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span> +up the walk and darted into her mother’s +arms.</p> + +<p>It was all a merry hubbub for a time. +Dolly’s mother seemed to Beth just an older +and more mature type of Dolly herself. +Dolly’s father was there, too, and the greeting +given the two strange girls was cordial enough +to make them feel at home and to dispel all +restraint.</p> + +<p>“You boys must try to amuse yourselves +without us for a little while,” said Mrs. Alden, +her arm still around Dolly. “I am going to +take the girls upstairs now, and by the time +we come down, dinner will be served.”</p> + +<p>“Your old room is ready for you, Dolly, +just as you left it; I have put your friends in +the two little rooms across the hall. I supposed +that you would want to be near each +other.”</p> + +<p>“You are correct, as usual, Motherdie. +Come in and help me dress now. You always +used to put the finishing touches on for me, +you know. Leave your doors open, girls, so +that we can talk to one another.”</p> + +<p>“I like your friends,” Dolly’s mother said +quietly, when the two found themselves alone +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span> +later. “Miss Newby doesn’t look very happy, +and there is an expression on her face that I +do not like to see on so young a girl. I think +that Miss Sutherland has latent possibilities +about her.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and they are almost all latent as yet, +but you can help to bring them out, I know. +By the way, Mother, I want to brighten her +up a bit. She must make a good impression +on the boys this first night. Have you any +rose-colored ribbons? Just put them on her, +won’t you? There’s a dear. She cannot tie +a bow any more than a sparrow can.”</p> + +<p>“You do not need me any more?”</p> + +<p>“No, thanks. Oh, it is so blessed to be +home, Mother. I’m going to your room at +bedtime for a long talk. Will I do?”</p> + +<p>“Very well,” and Mrs. Alden looked with +pardonable pride on the tall, graceful figure +of her daughter, straight as an arrow; the +fair, happy face, sunny and sweet, the light +curling hair, the dainty white dress and the +knots of blue ribbon scattered over it, made a +picture of which any mother might well feel +proud.</p> + +<p>When Dolly went into Mary’s room, she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span> +stopped in genuine surprise. “How pretty +you do look, Mary. I am proud of you.” +And yet “pretty” was hardly the correct +adjective to apply to her room-mate. Mary’s +face was fine, and now that she was dressed +with some taste, the possibilities of future +beauty became apparent. But it was by no +means a handsome face, though it might become +so in later years.</p> + +<p>Beth came in trailing a white cashmere +behind her. Dolly laughed mischievously. +“Beth thinks that she can add several inches +to her height by wearing long dresses. She +does it on every possible occasion.”</p> + +<p>Beth retorted merrily, and the four went +downstairs, where they found the three boys +as well as Dolly’s father awaiting them rather +impatiently.</p> + +<p>There was plenty of lively conversation, in +which everyone took part. It was easy to +see that Dolly was the light of the house, +and that she was woefully missed by her +home people.</p> + +<p>Rob Steele proved to be a good talker. He +had been through so much in the course of his +short life, that he had an endless fund of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span> +stories on hand for almost any occasion. He +was not at all conceited, but he talked well +and easily.</p> + +<p>“You must have acquaintances all over the +United States,” Beth exclaimed at last. “Aren’t +you always seeing people that you know?”</p> + +<p>“Not often; you see, I was hardly in a position +to make acquaintances, Miss Newby. +I was doing all sorts of odd jobs, and while I +will doubtless remember the faces of the +persons for whom I worked, they will not recall +me, and would certainly not claim acquaintanceship. +However, I did see a young lady +on your train whose face was so familiar to +me that I bowed involuntarily.”</p> + +<p>“I noticed you speaking to that stunning +girl all dressed in brown. Who is she, Bob?”</p> + +<p>“Her name is Hamilton–Miss Margaret +Hamilton. I knew her just casually in +Chicago, where I stayed longer than I ever +did in any other place after Father died. We +were in the same class, that is, we graduated +the same year. I saw nothing much of her at +school, but I frequently caught glimpses of +her when I was sent to old Worthington’s on +some errand.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span>“Was she a relation of that rich old Worthington +who died two years ago?”</p> + +<p>“No relation, she was the daughter of his +housekeeper, a very nice girl, too. Rather +proud, I fancied, but thoroughly free from +nonsense and silly sentimentalism.”</p> + +<p>It was some moments before Dolly dared to +glance at her friends.</p> + +<p>There were significant glances interchanged, +but no comments were made, and Dolly’s +people did not surmise then, that the young +woman under discussion had been Dolly’s +successful rival for the class presidency.</p> + +<p>There were music and singing later in the +evening, and Beth felt that she knew for the +first time, perhaps, what home-life might +really mean.</p> + +<p>After the girls had slipped into their dressing-gowns +that night, they ran over to Dolly’s +room to discuss the subject that was just then +uppermost in the minds of them all–Margaret +Hamilton. They halted at the door, however, +for there was Dolly enjoying a comfortable +chat with her mother.</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i5'></a><img src='images/illus-062.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +There were music and singing later in the evening. +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span>“Come in, girls, I’ve just been telling +Mother all about Margaret. I always tell her +everything, you know, and she has just asked +if Margaret ever made any statements at +variance with the real truth about herself. +It is no disgrace to be poor, and I hope +that we are not snobs enough to care for that +part of it; but has she been trying to pass +herself off for something that she is not?”</p> + +<p>There was a little silence. Mary Sutherland +was the first to speak. “I never saw much +of Miss Hamilton, and so I do not know what +she is in the habit of saying about herself. +The only time that I ever heard her mention +the past, was when Miss Raymond asked +her where she lived. She replied that her +home had been in Chicago, but that death +had broken it up. There was nothing more +said.”</p> + +<p>“Very possibly all of that was strictly +true,” Mrs. Alden said thoughtfully, “and +she certainly was under no special obligation +to tell every student at Westover her +private affairs. But how does she have the +means to go through college? Dolly tells me +that she dresses very nicely, although not +extravagantly. I can see how she would +prefer to keep some facts to herself. Girls +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span> +are not as tolerant as boys in some particulars. +Mr. Steele is popular at Harvard, despite his +poverty and struggles; but you know very +well that a girl, with similar experiences, +would be unmercifully snubbed at Westover.”</p> + +<p>“And you think–”</p> + +<p>“I do not know your friend, or perhaps I +should say your classmate, as I see Miss +Newby frowning over the word ‘friend’ so +it is not easy for me to draw conclusions, but +if she has merely kept still, and been reticent +on her past life, I do not see that she is open +to censure. Of course, if she has been pretending +to be what she is not, that is a totally +different affair.”</p> + +<p>“She has always been very careful, Mrs. +Alden, to say as little as possible about herself. +I noticed it, and commented on the fact to +Dolly, but I do not imagine that anyone else +noticed it. As far as my observation has +gone, she has told no untruths. But she +certainly did seem accustomed to all the little +luxuries that rich people have. One could +notice it at table and in a hundred little +ways.”</p> + +<p>“Doubtless she was accustomed to many +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span> +of those things, if her mother was housekeeper +for Mr. Worthington. He was one of +the richest men in the West, and Miss Hamilton +would have had an opportunity in his +house, if she were at all adaptable, of becoming +thoroughly familiar with all such little +niceties. Even at the housekeeper’s table +there was certainly plenty of opportunity for +Miss Hamilton to grow perfectly familiar +with the ways of the rich.”</p> + +<p>“But where is her mother, and where did +her money come from?”</p> + +<p>“Those are questions that we can’t answer, +so we might as well drop them. I wonder +where she was going?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, didn’t you know? Helen Raymond +asked her to spend the Thanksgiving vacation +at her home.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Alden leaned forward, a serious look +on her face. “Girls, if I were you, I should +not mention this subject at school. Miss +Hamilton is your class president, she will be +your president for a year to come. You +want everything smooth and harmonious, +don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Of course we do, Mrs. Alden, and we +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span> +will keep perfectly mum, but if Dolly had only +been sensible and voted for herself, there +would not be any such situation as there is +at present.”</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed. “Beth never will learn to +recognize some facts; now, for instance, that +subject was finally settled long, long ago.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see–” began Beth.</p> + +<p>But Mrs. Alden rose hastily to her feet. +“You girls must all get to bed and to sleep +as soon as possible. The boys have plans for +every moment of the day, and you will want +to feel fresh tomorrow. Dolly, you may +come over to my room for just a few minutes.”</p> + +<p>The next morning there was a drive through +the lovely suburbs of the city, then they came +back to the Thanksgiving dinner; in the +evening there was a fine concert to which +Mr. Alden took them all. Friday and Saturday +were full of fun and pleasure. Sunday +evening came all too soon. Dolly was having +a quiet chat in the library with Fred and her +mother. The rest were all in the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>“I have been very much astonished at the +way our guests paired off. Naturally, one would +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span> +think that Mr. Steele would care to talk to +Mary rather than to Beth. Mary knows +what hard work and life on a farm mean. +She would not be at college now, if some aunt +were not paying her tuition; she told me so. +I supposed that she and Mr. Steele would have +ever so many things in common, but I never +see them talking together at all. Mr. Martin +seems really to find Mary very attractive, and +Mr. Steele devotes most of his time to Beth, who +is certainly his opposite in every particular.”</p> + +<p>“That is just the reason Steele likes her, I +presume,” Fred rejoined with an air of superior +wisdom. “The attraction of opposites, you +know; though, for that matter, Steele quite +approves of you. He thinks you are a remarkably +nice little girl, for he told me so.”</p> + +<p>“How horribly condescending of him,” +Dolly said, tilting her chin upward.</p> + +<p>Fred laughed. It was great fun to tease +Dolly. “He thinks you did a remarkably +fine thing in throwing the class presidency to +that classmate of yours who voted for herself. +By the way, her name was Hamilton, +I remember; she wasn’t that girl of whom +Bob was talking the other night, was she?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span>Dolly flushed. “Tell Fred the whole story, +dear, you can trust your brother.”</p> + +<p>So Dolly told it, and whatever Fred thought, +he kept to himself, merely promising not to +mention the affair to anyone. Mrs. Alden +sent the girls off to bed at an early hour, for, +as Beth said, they must be awake at a most +unearthly time. The boys set their alarm +clock in order to be up to see the girls off. +They, themselves, were not obliged to go until +a later train.</p> + +<p>“We have had just a beautiful time, Mrs. +Alden,” Beth declared that evening. “I +can’t tell how much it has meant to me. I +want Dolly to go home with me as soon as +you can spare her, but I suppose you will want +her at Christmas?”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps we could arrange a compromise,” +Mrs. Alden returned smilingly; “you might +stop here for a week, and then we <i>might</i> agree +to loan you Dolly for the remaining time.”</p> + +<p>“I do wish you would. I would be more +glad than I can tell you. I am going to consider +that point settled, and I thank you a +thousand times. Dolly, I want to tell you +something about that room-mate of mine +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span> +when we get upstairs. I’ve meant to do it +all vacation, and our jolly times have just +crowded it out of my head.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span><a id='link_6'></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>But</span> it was not until they were on the train +the next day, that an opportunity came for +Beth to tell her story. There had been a +jolly, sleepy crowd that had eaten the early +breakfast and then gone down to the station. +The boys had supplied them well with magazines, +flowers and boxes of candy. To Mary +Sutherland it was all like a new world–the +handsome house, the elegant furnishings, the +plenty and comfort that pervaded the whole +atmosphere, and while that part was nothing +at all new to Beth, she, too, felt as if she were +in a new world, for it was a world in which +the home-atmosphere was sweet and wholesome, +blessed as it was with love and mutual +forbearance.</p> + +<p>The good-byes were all said at last, and +Dolly had to wink hard to keep back the +tears. “Do you remember how homesick +I was in September, Beth, and how you came +to the rescue like a good angel? What should +I have done without you? It will be only a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span> +month now until the Christmas holidays, +and I certainly ought to be able to stand it +four weeks without getting lonesome.”</p> + +<p>“You should have seen what a forlorn +object she was, Mary,” interrupted Beth. +“She sat on the edge of her bed looking as if +she had not a friend in all the world.”</p> + +<p>“In all the college, you mean, and I had +not, either, until you walked in. I shall +bless you forever for that deed of humanity. +Even my room-mate was missing then; you +stayed for the marriage of a sister, did you +not, Mary?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and I am afraid that I was not much +comfort to you after I <i>did</i> appear. I didn’t +mean to be dictatorial and horrid, but I am +afraid that–”</p> + +<p>“You were nothing but what was all +right, Mary,” Dolly interrupted. “We were +not acquainted at first, that was all.”</p> + +<p>“I was not nice, but I meant to be, and I’ll +try to fit in better hereafter. You should +have had Beth for a room-mate, though I’m +too selfish to propose any change this year.”</p> + +<p>“We can all three be good friends, Mary, so +far as that goes, but I certainly wish that some +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span> +other room-mate had been allotted to me +than Margery Ainsworth.”</p> + +<p>“You were going to tell us something about +her, Beth; now is a good opportunity.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, only you girls must understand +that I am telling this in confidence, +because I want your advice. I don’t know +whether it is my duty to say anything or not. +Of course, girls don’t like to be tell-tales any +more than boys do, but it seems to me that +the good name of the college is more or less +concerned in this, and we cannot afford to +have any girl do things which would bring +us into disrepute.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” Dolly said energetically. +“Well, what is it?”</p> + +<p>“In the first place, she systematically +breaks all of the rules. I cannot room with +her, of course, and not know that. She +probably depends upon my good nature or +sense of honor not to give her away. She +never reports any broken rule, and she goes +downtown whenever she feels inclined, and +only once a month or so gets permission. I +imagine that she goes for some reason instead +of shopping, for she never has any bundles +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span> +sent home. The worst thing, in my mind, +was a couple of Sundays ago. She pretended +to go to church with the rest of us, but she +did not; she went off some place else and appeared +again just as church was over. She +went back to the college with the rest of us. +I did ask her what she had been doing that +time.”</p> + +<p>“What did she say?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing very satisfactory. She wanted +to know if I would like an outline of the +sermon, and she proceeded to give me the +text and some of the leading points. Of +course, she heard all of the girls discussing +it at the table, for it was the day that Dr. +Hyde preached, and we were all intensely +interested.”</p> + +<p>“Where do you suppose she was?” It +was Mary Sutherland who asked the question.</p> + +<p>“I really have not the faintest idea. I +know, though, that she was some place where, +of course, she could not have gotten permission +to go, had she asked, for otherwise +she would never have run the risk she ran. +The faculty do not overlook that sort of +thing readily.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span>“She would certainly be suspended at the +least.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I cannot go and tell any one of the +professors what she does, but I wish something +would happen to make her more careful. +I don’t like to have the college girls +talked about. I feel jealous of our good +name.”</p> + +<p>Beth looked perplexed and worried. All +three of the girls knew that Margery Ainsworth +had violated one of the strictest rules, +and she could only have done it in order to +achieve some end which the faculty would +never have countenanced. It was not pleasant +for Beth to room with a girl as utterly +devoid of principle as Margery Ainsworth +daily proved herself to be. It was inevitable +that they should be thrown more or less together. +Margery was no student at all, and +she and Beth really had no ideas in common.</p> + +<p>“This is the second secret that has come +our way this vacation,” Dolly said. “Such +secrets are not nice. I hope we shall not be +compelled to hear any more. First, we learned +more about our president’s life than she +would probably care to have us know, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span> +now comes this, which is, of course, a thousand +times worse. As far as I am concerned, +I have no suggestions to offer.”</p> + +<p>“As I understand the matter, you want +her forced to obey the rules, but at the same +time you are not going to tell any member +of the faculty about her.”</p> + +<p>“Of course I am not,” Beth said indignantly. +“That is simply out of the question.”</p> + +<p>“And yet, for her own sake, it would be +much better if the faculty knew something +of her doings. She cannot go into town so +often for any good purpose. She may be +getting into mischief that she will repent all +of her after-life.”</p> + +<p>“Very true, still I can say nothing.”</p> + +<p>“Will you let me see what I can do?”</p> + +<p>“That would be the same as doing it myself, +Mary, and then trying to sneak out of a +mean act by putting it on your shoulders.”</p> + +<p>“If you are willing to trust me, I will not +tell anything definite. I will not mention +your name, or tell what Miss Ainsworth has +done. I shall merely make sure that she will +be so warned and hedged in hereafter, that +she will not dare to break the rules again. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span> +And this ought to be done, Elizabeth, both +for her own sake and the sake of the college.”</p> + +<p>“My dear infant, do you suppose for a +moment that you could make the indefinite +statement which you propose, to any member +of the faculty, and not have a full explanation +demanded at once of everything that has +been done?”</p> + +<p>“That would be true, usually, I know–”</p> + +<p>“But–” Beth’s voice sounded a trifle +impatient–“do you think you could manage +the professors better than the rest of us?”</p> + +<p>“Not all of them,” Mary returned serenely, +“but I probably can Professor Newton, because, +you see, she is my aunt.”</p> + +<p>“What!” The amazement in her companions’ +voices made Mary leap back and burst +into laughter.</p> + +<p>“It is true. She is Mother’s sister. I +really do not know why I told no one at first. +I took a notion that I didn’t want the girls to +know, and Aunt Mary humored me. I am +her namesake.”</p> + +<p>“And that is where you have been evenings +when I wondered so where you were,” Dolly +broke out a trifle incoherently.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>“Yes, I was up in her room. I can +go there any time I wish. I thought that +I would leave you and Beth an opportunity +to talk and study in our sitting-room.”</p> + +<p>“Professor Newton must have a high +opinion of me,” Dolly interjected discontentedly, +“if she thinks that I drive you away.”</p> + +<p>“You needn’t worry about Aunt Mary. +She knows how lovely you have been to an +awkward, green girl from the western prairies, +and she is very grateful. Now you see, don’t +you, that I can say just enough to her confidentially +to warrant her in warning Miss +Ainsworth that the faculty will expect different +behavior from her in the future? That +is all that will be necessary, I am sure, only, of +course, she will be watched after this. I will +not mention a single name, and I will not tell +anything that she has done in the past. If +she behaves herself after the warning, she +will be all right. There will be no harm done, +but lots of good will have been accomplished. +If she doesn’t choose to take heed–”</p> + +<p>“She will deserve to suffer the full consequences,” +declared Beth. “Yes, go ahead, +that is the best plan. Truly, I am not thinking +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span> +entirely of the college either, when I say +it. While I care nothing, personally, for +Margery Ainsworth, I do not want her to +ruin her whole life by some piece of folly.”</p> + +<p>The girls talked the subject over more +fully, and the matter was finally left entirely +in Mary’s hands.</p> + +<p>A sudden recollection struck Dolly. “No +wonder that you did not care to have me introduce +you to Professor Newton that first +evening; do you remember? And of course +she had saved a place at her table purposely +for you. Mary Sutherland, if I supposed +you repeated to her all the nonsense that you +have heard me talk about her, I should never +let you return to college alive.”</p> + +<p>Mary smiled, not very much overcome by +the threat. “You always say nice things +about her; now, if it had been Professor +Arnold–you really don’t like her at all.”</p> + +<p>“Of course I don’t. An angel from heaven +couldn’t suit Professor Arnold when it comes +to a Latin translation. But just to think +how I have gushed over Professor Newton. +Mary Sutherland, have you ever told her +the silly things I have said?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span>“You might know that I would not repeat +anything that would displease Aunt +Mary.”</p> + +<p>Dolly looked at her sharply. “You are +evading my questions, Mary Sutherland. I +just know that you have told Professor +Newton how I have gushed over her, and how +deeply in love with her I am. Don’t try to +fool me. I will never, never tell anything +to you again. Don’t talk to me about unsophisticated +girls from the country, they +are deeper than any city girl I ever saw.”</p> + +<p>And Dolly settled back in her seat with a +look of vengeance in her eyes, that did not +disturb Mary in the least. It was very true +that Dolly had fallen deeply in love with +Professor Newton, after the harmless fashion +that students have. Her lessons for Professor +Newton were faultlessly prepared, and +while she was a good student in all her chosen +studies, she absolutely shone in Professor +Newton’s classes. There was something very +attractive about this teacher. She understood +girls and knew how to deal with them.</p> + +<p>She had written a couple of textbooks herself, +and it was generally understood among +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span> +the students that she had supported herself +when attending college. Yet she had not +become hard or bitter. Her face was strong, +but sweet, and her own experience made her +very tender toward those girls who were +trying to win an education against great +odds. It was to this aunt that Mary Sutherland +went, knowing that she could trust her +implicitly to do the very best for all concerned.</p> + +<p>Beth knew that her room-mate was summoned +to the president’s room the following +Wednesday, and that she came back looking +very angry and half frightened as well. +Evidently, whatever had been said to her +was of such a nature that she did not suspect +Beth in the least. In fact, the president +(alluding, of course, to Professor Newton) +had said that “one of the members of the +faculty had told her that Miss Ainsworth was +proving herself untrustworthy.” Then there +had followed a serious talk in which Margery +said as little as she could. She surmised +that she had probably been seen by some one +of the professors on one of her many escapades; +on which one it might have been, she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span> +had no means of knowing, and she was afraid +of saying too much in extenuation or excuse, +lest she might inadvertently admit some misdemeanor +of which the president was ignorant +up to this time. Therefore, she returned to +her room both wrathful and alarmed.</p> + +<p>Beth reported later to Dolly, that her room-mate +was doing more studying and paying +more attention to the rules, than she ever had +before.</p> + +<p>“Will it last, do you think?” queried Dolly +anxiously.</p> + +<p>“I have my doubts. In my humble opinion, +she is simply trying to throw them off +their guard now, and to induce them to believe +that she does not need watching. From +several little things that have happened, however, +I am perfectly positive that the faculty +is keeping a very wide-awake eye on her. +We have not many rules here, you know, but +it goes hard with any girl who attempts to +break those few.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, the mere fact that we are on our +honor to a great extent, ought to make the +girls behave. I feel like being doubly careful.”</p> + +<p>“My dear, you are hardly the same type +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span> +of girl as Margery Ainsworth. She is the +sort to take advantage of any privilege. She +is so very quiet now, that I cannot help +thinking there is some special reason why she +is endeavoring to throw them off their guard +before the Christmas holidays.”</p> + +<p>“They are only a week distant. Remember +that you are going to eat Christmas +dinner with me, Beth. Mary will go, too, and +Fred has invited Mr. Martin and Mr. Steele for +the holidays, so that we shall have the same +crowd we did at Thanksgiving time.”</p> + +<p>“That will be jolly, but you must go home +with me after Christmas. I don’t pretend +that you will have as good a time in Philadelphia +with me, as I did at your home, but +I want you to come. I asked Mary to go, too, +because I knew she could not afford to go way +out to her own home, but she said that she +was to take a little trip with her aunt, and so I +shall have you all to myself. I’m rather glad +of it, to tell the truth.”</p> + +<p>“Yet you like Mary?”</p> + +<p>“More than I ever imagined that I could. +I am getting to know her better, for one +thing. Of course, I shall never care for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span> +her as much as I do for you, but she is thoroughly +genuine. There is nothing mean or +underhanded about her.”</p> + +<p>“No, there certainly is not, and hasn’t she +improved wonderfully in personal appearance +since she came?”</p> + +<p>“You are responsible for that. Since she +allows you to superintend her purchases, and +tell her what colors to wear, she looks more +like a girl, and less like a relic of some former +geological era.”</p> + +<p>“Poor child, she had no opportunity to +learn on the farm, and very little money to +spend for anything, I fancy.”</p> + +<p>“All very true, and Professor Newton is a +trump for giving her forlorn namesake this +chance. Of course, she pays all Mary’s +expenses.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, and Mary is going to be a credit in +the end to all her relatives and friends. I +wish I could say as much of your room-mate.”</p> + +<p>“You can’t. The most I dare hope in that +direction is that Margaret will not do anything +to make us ashamed of her.”</p> + +<p>But the next week proved that this hope +would not be realized.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span><a id='link_7'></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>On</span> Thursday the girls would leave for their +Christmas vacation. Dolly, as well as Beth +and Mary Sutherland, had passed their examinations +in a very satisfactory manner, +and could enjoy the holidays with clear consciences. +The freshmen had been getting +up a musical extravaganza under the energetic +direction of their president. There +was no denying the fact that Margaret Hamilton +made a fine class president. She had +insisted upon Dolly’s having a prominent +part. Margaret, herself, had a fine contralto +voice, and by common vote, another of the +principal parts was given to her. Beth had +a minor part, and Mary appeared only in the +choruses.</p> + +<p>A number of the other girls had remarkably +fine voices, and all of the leading parts were +well carried. The class president seemed unusually +elated and happy. The entertainment +would be given by the freshmen in +the College Hall on Wednesday evening. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span> +The faculty was invited, of course, as well +as the sophomores, juniors and seniors. It +was the first entertainment that the freshmen +had given, and everyone was eager to +see what they could do.</p> + +<p>Professor Newton had been admitted to the +last rehearsal, and she assured the girls that +it was the best thing that she had ever seen +done by any freshman class. “There wasn’t +a flaw in it. The idea is unique, the costuming +fine and the solo work was absolutely +superb. You must have worked hard. +It will be something for all the classes to talk +about for years to come. Just do as well as +you did at this rehearsal, and you will find +yourselves covered with glory, if you do not +attempt anything else in your entire college +course.”</p> + +<p>“It is all due to our president,” said one of +the group who surrounded Professor Newton. +“It was her idea in the first place; she adapted +the extravaganza to our class, and it is she +who has made us work so hard at it.”</p> + +<p>“You have every reason to be proud of your +work, Miss Hamilton,” Professor Newton +said cordially.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span>“I am tremendously proud of the girls, +Professor Newton. Of course, I could have +done nothing at all if they had not been so +willing.”</p> + +<p>Just then the ringing of the gong summoned +the majority of the girls to a recitation, +and Margaret added in a lower tone, “I am +only afraid of Ada Willing’s last solo.”</p> + +<p>“But why, Miss Hamilton? That is one +of the best things in the entire entertainment. +It is so full of good-natured hits at the other +classes and the faculty. It is sheer, pure fun; +everyone will enjoy it, and Miss Willing has a +magnificent voice.”</p> + +<p>“But it is so uncertain. That solo should +be sung well, for it is the most unique thing +that we have. Sometimes Miss Willing does +it superbly, and sometimes she does it miserably. +Once or twice she has actually forgotten +the opening words, they are pure nonsense, +you know, and not very easy to remember, +if a person be nervous.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry about it,” Professor Newton +advised kindly. “I am sure you will come +out all right this evening. You should rest +the balance of the day.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span>“I want to go out for a little while, Professor +Newton; then I shall surely take your +advice.”</p> + +<p>Dolly and Beth had been almost the only +ones who had heard this conversation. As +the two walked down the corridor, Beth said +thoughtfully: “I would be willing to wager +a peanut that our president has gone out +merely to walk up Murray’s lane. She goes +there every single day at this hour.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe it is for any wrong purpose, +Beth. The lane is within the limits +that we are allowed to go. Some way I have +faith in Miss Hamilton.”</p> + +<p>“I am not saying that I have not. But +certainly she is secretive. Of course, that +is no sin, as we decided long ago; at the same +time one cannot help speculating about her, +more or less.”</p> + +<p>“I have watched her rather closely ever +since Thanksgiving, and she really has never +said a word in my hearing that was untrue or +false. Last week, in Miss Dunbar’s room, +the subject of wealth and aristocracy came +up in some way. Miss Hamilton was appealed +to. I do not think you were present, but +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span> +Miss Dunbar asked if Miss Hamilton did not +consider good breeding and refinement inseparable +from wealth and family position.”</p> + +<p>“What a snob she is.”</p> + +<p>“We all know that. I was rather curious +to hear what our president would say. She +did not say much. She is like Grant. She +knows the wisdom of silence. She told Miss +Dunbar that she did not agree with her at +all. Then she made the first personal remark +that I ever heard her make. She said +that as far as she was concerned, she had +no wealth, and while she was proud of her +family, herself, she had no idea that Ward +McAllister would ever have admitted them +to his sacred list of four hundred.”</p> + +<p>“Good for her. She told the truth, and yet +the girls did not realize just how true it was, +I presume. She has an air about her that +seems to betoken wealth and distinction. +How misleading appearances are.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, aren’t they? Well, the facts will +be sure to come out some day, for this world +is small, after all, and what we learned, others +will be sure to learn, too. There is no harm +at all in it, but Miss Dunbar and that set of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span> +girls who fawn so around her, would never +speak to her again. You’ll see.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t like to think that you are a true +prophet, Dolly, for the sake of our sex. Why +should we be more ungenerous to Margaret +Hamilton than the Harvard boys are to Mr. +Steele?”</p> + +<p>“There is no reason at all why we should +be, and if the test ever comes, I, for one, shall +stand by her.”</p> + +<p>“And I, too,” said Beth. “Though I hope +the necessity will never arise.” It did, however, +and the two girls proved true to their +promises.</p> + +<p>College Hall was crowded that evening. +Friends from the town had been invited, and +everyone was anxious to see what the freshmen +class could do. Whispers of something +a little beyond the ordinary had gotten out, +and all were expectant.</p> + +<p>There was a spontaneous burst of applause +when the curtain went up, and showed the +picturesque setting of the first scene, representative +of the grove in the college grounds. +The girls were at their best, and everything +went smoothly during the first three acts. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span> +The fourth act was the last, and the most +difficult singing and acting came in it. All had +gone perfectly so far, and the class president’s +face began to look serene and confident.</p> + +<p>Miss Willing’s solo was near the end. There +had been no flaw up to that point, but when +it came time for her to break in with the +merry, half-saucy characterization of the +other classes, there was an ominous silence. +Dolly and Beth, glancing at her, and recalling +what Margaret Hamilton had said, realized +that the girl’s memory had failed her entirely, +just through sheer nervousness. The president’s +face turned pale. She had so wished +this to be a most notable success; it seemed +imperative to her, for many reasons. She +wished to please one most dear to her, and +then, too, if she could win these laurels for +her class, no matter what might happen in +the future, the girls could not be utterly +ungrateful to her.</p> + +<p>And now Ada Willing was turning her +wonderful success in to a most disastrous defeat. +It all meant so much to Margaret Hamilton. +She recalled the words perfectly herself, and +longed to take the solo into her own hands, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span> +but this was a soprano solo which she could +not hope to compass with a contralto voice. +She was tasting the full bitterness of defeat, +when a voice broke out with the solo, clear, +sweet, piquant–not Ada Willing’s voice, +but Beth’s. And Beth put a verve and daring +into the words which Miss Willing was perfectly +incompetent to do.</p> + +<p>Verse after verse flowed on, smoothly, +triumphantly. The whole hall was shaking +with unrestrained laughter. The president’s +color came back to cheeks and lips. Beth +had saved the day; she was doing better than +Ada Willing could have done, for she was an +inimitable actress, and in her song she rapidly +personified sophomores, juniors and seniors, +as well as professors, in a manner that was +perfectly unmistakable.</p> + +<p>The applause was so generous and long-continued, +that Beth was forced to repeat some +portions several times. When the curtain +went down shortly after that, for the last +time, Beth was surrounded by rapturous +classmates who were ready to fall on her +neck or carry her around the grounds, for +thus saving their reputation.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span>“Come and meet my mother, will you not–you +and Miss Alden?” Margaret Hamilton +said after she had tried in a somewhat tremulous +tone to thank Beth for her ready wit. +“I would like to have you both meet her.”</p> + +<p>“I did not know that she was here,” Dolly +said in surprise. “I thought your home was +in the West.”</p> + +<p>“We did live in Chicago until recently. +Now we have no home exactly. Mother and +I are all there are in the family, and she will +board here in town so as to be near me. She +might as well, there is no reason why we should +be separated by several hundred miles now.”</p> + +<p>With much silent bewilderment, Beth and +Dolly followed Miss Hamilton to one corner +of the room, where they found Mrs. Hamilton +engaged in conversation with Professor Newton.</p> + +<p>“Thank you so much for looking after +Mother a little, Professor Newton,” Margaret +said gratefully. “I was in such haste that +I did not have time to introduce her to anyone +else before our entertainment,” and then +she presented Beth and Dolly.</p> + +<p>The girls scrutinized her closely. She was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span> +dressed in black, but with a certain quiet +style that convinced Dolly that Margaret +had supervised the making of the gown. The +face was not handsome, but it was good-natured, +and denoted a large amount of practical +common sense. The girls sat down on +either side of her. They had their own reasons +for wanting to know more of their class president’s +mother. She was evidently brimming +over with pride and love for Margaret. In +the course of their conversation it became +very evident that she knew nothing of “society’s +small talk,” or of the subjects that +college girls often bring up naturally in connection +with their studies. Nevertheless, she +could talk well and interestingly on many +commonplace themes, especially when her +subject of conversation related more or less +closely to her daughter. Her grammar was +good, and her language quite as choice as one +usually meets with in a casual acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Dolly and Beth, watching their classmate +closely, noticed with secret relief that she +introduced her mother to all the members of +the faculty, as well as to Miss Dunbar and +to the most exclusive girls of the class. She +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span> +did it with a quiet, unassuming dignity which +her two close critics could not but admire.</p> + +<p>The evening was over, the entertainment +was universally conceded to have been the +most unique and successful affair ever given +by any freshman class, and even the seniors +owned frankly that they would be compelled +to look to their laurels next term, or they +would be quite outdone by the insignificant +freshies.</p> + +<p>Beth and Dolly had gone upstairs, the +visitors had all departed, at least, so the girls +thought. Dolly remembered a book which +she needed from the library. They turned +into the wing to get it, and Dolly ran on before +to switch on the electric light which had +just been turned off. Margaret’s voice, low +but penetrating, reached them distinctly.</p> + +<p>“I told several of the girls, Mother, that +you were going to board in town so as to be +near me.”</p> + +<p>There was a startled exclamation from Mrs. +Hamilton. “Indeed, Mother, I had to do it. +Of course you want to see me, and I want +to see you. If it is clearly known that you +are boarding in town, I can readily get permission +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span> +to go and see you as often as I have +time. And you can come and see me every +evening. As it is, I feel as if I were guilty +all the time of doing something wrong.”</p> + +<p>“You haven’t broken a single rule, Margaret. +I would be just as careful about that, +as you would, yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I know, but why should I sneak off up +Murray’s lane to meet my mother, and why +should you have to go there every day +through the woods, when one might just as +well meet openly? It has often been almost +impossible for me to get off alone at the time +you go there. Believe me, Mother, my way +is the best. I am not ashamed of you. I +should not deserve any success in life if I +were.”</p> + +<p>“I know all that, Margaret; at the same +time, would you have been elected class +president or invited to your friend’s house at +Thanksgiving, if it were generally known that +your mother had been a servant nearly all her +life, and that your father had been merely a +coachman? Of course, he had a good education, +and if it had not been for that accident, +we would have had our own little home. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span> +But when that happened, we just had to do +the best we could, and he took a coachman’s +position with Mr. Worthington because that +was the first thing that offered. And he kept +it all his life. But would your fine friends +feel the same toward you if they knew that?”</p> + +<p>“No, they would not, Mother,” Margaret +answered in a low and rather sad tone. “It +hardly seems fair, does it? I know that many +of them would never speak to me again. I +do not consider my affairs any business of +theirs, and I promise you not to volunteer +any information. On the other hand, Mother, +I cannot meet you secretly any more. If you +are really afraid that someone will recognize +you here, you can stay in the town as quietly +as you wish. I know that you are ambitious +for me, Mother, and I will do the very best I +can for us both. I want to succeed, too. If +I am absolutely cornered, I shall tell no lies, +though. I have not done it so far, and I shall +not hereafter. I suppose the truth may +naturally be known some day, but I am not +going to be ashamed of either of my parents, +and you would be ashamed of me if I were, +Mother.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span>“Yes, I suppose I would, Margaret, but if +you can only get your education, now that +Mr. Worthington made it possible, I shall be +willing to stand in the background for four +years. You were slighted all through the +public schools as soon as anyone knew that +you were just the daughter of Mr. Worthington’s +housekeeper, and it would be worse +here.”</p> + +<p>“Well, never mind, Mother, if–”</p> + +<p>And there, to the girls’ relief Mrs. Hamilton +and her daughter passed out of hearing.</p> + +<p>“<i>She</i> is true blue, no matter whether her +blood is blue or not,” said Dolly softly. +“Confess now, Beth dear, that you are glad +she is our president.”</p> + +<p>“She makes a good one,” Beth acknowledged, +and then they separated, each going +to her own room.</p> + +<p>A moment later, however, there was a +quick tap at Dolly’s door, and Beth’s excited +face appeared.</p> + +<p>“What do you think has happened, Dolly?”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span><a id='link_8'></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>“What</span> is it, and has it anything to do +with Mary? She isn’t here, and I haven’t +the faintest idea where she is.”</p> + +<p>“It has nothing to do with Mary, but I +hope Mary may be able to explain to us. +Professor Arnold is in our room, and Margery +is packing up everything she owns. They +are going to take the five o’clock train tomorrow +morning for New York. You know +Professor Arnold lives there, too. She called +me into my room, and spoke to me privately. +She asked if I would object to rooming with +you tonight, as she would like to sleep in my +room herself.”</p> + +<p>“Just as if Margery were a prisoner and she +the jailer,” said Dolly, in an awe-struck tone.</p> + +<p>“That is just about the size of it, my dear. +Of course, I said I was sure you would take +me in. Evidently Margery tried to slip off +tonight, thinking that amid all the excitement +she would not be missed. I wonder +what she did!”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span>“And they go on the five o’clock train? +No Latin for us then. Professor Arnold did +not intend to go, I know, until Friday. We +were to have all of our regular lessons tomorrow +morning.”</p> + +<p>“We had better get to bed, or someone +will be after us, even if today is an exceptional +time.”</p> + +<p>“That’s true, but where <i>is</i> Mary?”</p> + +<p>“Here,” answered Mary’s own voice, as +the sitting-room door opened.</p> + +<p>“Where have you been? Give an account +of yourself.”</p> + +<p>“I have been hearing the true story of +Elizabeth’s room-mate. I suppose you know +by this time that she is to go home early +tomorrow?”</p> + +<p>Both girls nodded.</p> + +<p>“After our entertainment I went upstairs +to Aunt Mary’s room. We were talking, +when Professor Arnold came to the door. +She called Aunt Mary into the hall, and stood +there for some time. I could not help hearing +a part of what was said, so, when aunty +came back, she told me the full story, and +said that I might tell you. We are not to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span> +repeat it to the other girls, but, of course, +they will be told in chapel that Miss Ainsworth +has been sent home.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, well?”</p> + +<p>“It seems that Professor Graydon has +noticed how very restless Margery has seemed +this week. From several little things, she +decided that Miss Ainsworth would try to slip +away when we were all in the College Hall, +and so she kept a careful watch on her. +Patrick knew about it, too, and when he saw +her slip out of the side gate and run off toward +the city, he went after her. He met +one of the maids and sent word back to Professor +Graydon. Mrs. Carruther’s carriage +was at the college, and Professor Graydon +got into it and soon overtook Patrick. He +was standing outside a boarding-house on +Summit Avenue, looking as perplexed as he +well could look. He didn’t like to go in and +order Margery out; he had no right or business +to do that, and, of course, it never would +have done. So he just stood outside and +wondered what was the right thing for him +to do. I reckon” (Mary still lapsed into her +favorite idioms at times) “that he was mighty +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span> +glad when he saw Professor Graydon in the +carriage. She rang the bell at once and asked +for Miss Ainsworth. I imagine that there was +a very stormy scene inside, but of course +Professor Arnold was in too great a hurry +to tell Aunt Mary all the details. Presently +Professor Graydon came out with Margery +and took her to the president’s room. They +managed to get the full story out of Margery +at last. It seems that there is a young lady +at the boarding-house, a Miss Lampton, very +proud and flashy and fast; Margery knew +her in New York, and the two became quite +intimate before Margery’s parents found out +about it. The girl has been mixed up in +several scandals. She went to Boston once +in a smoking-car and smoked cigarettes all +the way. You can imagine what sort of a +girl she is from that.”</p> + +<p>“I wouldn’t want to imagine,” broke in +Dolly disgustedly. “How could Miss Ainsworth +ever tolerate her?”</p> + +<p>“Birds of a feather,” said Beth wisely. +“But we must let Mary tell her story and +then get to bed.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it is horribly late. Well, as soon as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span> +the Ainsworths found out the sort of girl she +was, they tried to break off the intimacy, but +Margery kept contriving to meet her places, +and there was a brother who was just as +bad–worse, in fact. So, finally, Margery +was sent here to college to get her away from +them. She was told not to correspond with +either, but there is no surveillance on the +letters here, and Margery corresponded all +last year with them both, though her +parents never knew it. This fall Miss Lampton +decided to come here and board for a +while. She had just gotten into a scrape that +was a little worse than usual in New York, +and I suppose she thought she had better go +away till the talk blew over.”</p> + +<p>“Has the girl no parents?”</p> + +<p>“No, only an aunt, who acts as sort of a +figurehead, and who has no control over +either Miss Lampton or her brother. So +she came here to board last fall, and of +course wrote to Miss Ainsworth as soon as she +came. That is where Beth’s room-mate has +gone whenever she has disappeared in town.”</p> + +<p>“That is certainly bad enough, but it is +not as bad as I feared it might be.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span>“You haven’t heard the worst yet, Elizabeth. +Every little while the brother came +down, and at last he and Margery decided +that they were in love with each other, and +do you know that they had planned an elopement +for this very night?”</p> + +<p>The girls gave a cry of horror.</p> + +<p>“Yes, that is absolutely true. If Elizabeth +had not let me tell Aunt Mary, so that +the faculty was on guard, you see what a +dreadful thing would have happened. Now +they have telegraphed to Mr. Ainsworth, and +Professor Arnold will not leave Margery until +she is safe with her father.”</p> + +<p>“How dreadful it all is,” and then, despite +the lateness of the hour, the girls talked the +matter over until there came a light tap at +their door.</p> + +<p>Professor Arnold looked in. “We are not +going to be very strict tonight with you +freshmen, after you have just achieved such +a triumph at your entertainment, but there +is really reason in all things, and I advise +you to have your light out and to be in bed +within five minutes.”</p> + +<p>“Yes’m,” three voices responded meekly, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span> +and then there was hurried scrambling and +the freshmen settled down for the night.</p> + +<p>The next afternoon saw the three girls at +Dolly’s home. The following day brought +Fred and his two friends, and there was a +lively time until Christmas.</p> + +<p>Christmas morning found them all down +in the library, bright and early. The subject +of Christmas gifts had troubled Dolly a +little, because she feared lest Mary and Mr. +Steele might feel that they had no part in the +good times.</p> + +<p>“You see, mamma, that I want to give +Mary something as nice as I do Beth, but I +know that Mary has hardly any money to +spend for presents, and I do not want her +to feel mean or awkward about it. And then +there is Mr. Steele; he certainly cannot afford +to do much in that line, either, and yet, of +course, we want to remember him. What +shall we do?”</p> + +<p>“Just get what your good sense dictates, +without thinking of their presents at all. +You do not give for what will be given to you. +You give for the pleasure of giving. Don’t +think of that phase of the question. As for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span> +Mr. Steele, I feel that we owe him more than +we can ever repay.”</p> + +<p>“How so, mamma?”</p> + +<p>“He has great influence over Fred, and +he has certainly helped him to keep steady +at college.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, mamma, you do not mistrust Fred?”</p> + +<p>“I know how much Fred likes a good time, +dear. Sometimes he takes it without thinking +of consequences. I rather dreaded college +for him; but he is growing much more +independent and self-reliant.”</p> + +<p>“Fred is a darling, and you know it, +mamma.”</p> + +<p>“Of course, but I can see his weaknesses, +and so I am glad that he has taken a liking +to Robert Steele. I intend to do my best to +have this Christmas one that he will like to +remember.”</p> + +<p>There could be no doubt at all but that +she succeeded. There was a load of pretty +remembrances for everyone. Rob Steele had +been bothered somewhat, too, over the question +of gifts. Fortunately, while not an +artist, he had some skill with brush and +pencil, and after considerable cogitating, he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span> +devoted his few spare moments to painting +some dainty marine views in water colors; he +had these inexpensively framed, and told +himself that he would not worry; he had done +the best he could, though, of course, his trifles +were not to be mentioned in the same breath as +the elegant presents which Martin would buy.</p> + +<p>But on Christmas morning, Bob Steele +found that his little gifts received much more +attention than the handsome ones that Dick +Martin had given. And even Mary Sutherland, +with all her supersensitiveness, never +thought of comparing the relative value of +the inexpensive books she had given, with +the very beautiful muff, handkerchiefs, ribbons +and laces which she found in her Christmas +corner.</p> + +<p>There were no heart-burnings and no jealousies. +The only drawback to the day, +as Fred declared, was the thought that the +party would be partially broken up on the +morrow. Dick Martin was going back to +Boston. Mary would join her aunt at college +for a little trip, and Dolly and Beth +would leave for Philadelphia. Fred grumbled +considerably at such a scattering of the congenial +party, but there was no help for it. +Rob Steele would stay with him until Harvard +reopened, and Dolly and Beth might be able +to stay over night on their way back to +Westover.</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i6'></a><img src='images/illus-107.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +A moment later Dolly had been introduced to Beth’s father +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span>When Dolly found herself actually on the +train next day, bound for Philadelphia, she +wondered more and more to what kind of a +home she was going. Beth grew more quiet +and sedate as they neared the city, and the +reserved, rather hard expression which she +had partially lost of late, was intensified.</p> + +<p>As they entered the main gate at the Broad +Street Station, a tall, handsome man took +Beth’s valise from her hand and bent to kiss +her. A moment later Dolly had been introduced +to Beth’s father. A carriage was +waiting for them outside the station, and as +they drove to Beth’s home, Dolly scrutinized +Mr. Newby’s features closely, trying hard to +find therein the explanation of much that +had mystified her in Beth.</p> + +<p>He was evidently a man of culture and +brains. Dolly could not imagine him in a +temper or exhibiting any lack of self-control. +Why did he and Beth not chatter more +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span> +familiarly, though? He was asking questions +about the college in the same fashion that +he might have asked them of Dolly herself, +and Beth was replying in the same formal, +courteous way. Even Mr. Newby’s kiss of +welcome at the station had seemed a perfunctory +duty-kiss, not at all like the spontaneous +ones given by Dolly’s father.</p> + +<p>And Beth could chatter fast enough! Why +wasn’t she doing it now? Though, if Dolly +had only known it, both Beth and her father +were making a great effort to have the conversation +lively and animated.</p> + +<p>Dolly had gained no light when they +reached the pleasant suburban home where +the Newbys lived. On the broad veranda +she could see a lovely, gracious woman and +three children.</p> + +<p>They must be Roy, Hugh and Nell, she +knew. The carriage drove rapidly up the +lawn along the smooth driveway. Mrs. Newby +hastened to meet them. She kissed Beth a +little wistfully, Dolly thought, and gave Dolly +herself a very cordial, hearty welcome. The +children were well-mannered and decidedly +attractive. Dolly fancied that Roy did not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span> +look very strong. Mrs. Newby took them +upstairs presently. She had given the girls +adjoining rooms, and went in with them to +see that everything was in perfect readiness. +The house was roomy and delightful, and +Dolly drew in a deep breath of surprise and +enjoyment. “How nice your home is, Beth. +You funny child, never to have told me anything +about it.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad you like it. How about the +people in it?”</p> + +<p>“How do I like them, do you mean? Why, +I have hardly seen them yet, you know, but +I think that you must feel proud of your +father; and Mrs. Newby has one of the sweetest +faces I ever saw. The children seem +very nice, and you know how I love children.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I know–well, I am glad if you like +us and our home.”</p> + +<p>That was all Beth said. Dolly watched +quietly and shrewdly. Something was ajar, +and she longed to know if it were not something +that could be adjusted. Whatever it +was, it was spoiling Beth’s life. But she +could see nothing. Beth was as reserved as +ever, even in her own home. Both of her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span> +parents seemed to treat her more as a guest +than as a daughter of the house. Her wishes +were consulted, and she was deferred to more +as a stranger would be, Dolly thought, than +as a daughter whose preferences they were +supposed to know.</p> + +<p>Everyone was polite and courteous. It +was not a household that would ever tolerate +quarreling or strife. Yet there was something +lacking. They all seemed anxious that +Dolly should have a good time, and there +were many pleasant little plans for her entertainment. +Dolly grew to like them all, but +she was especially fond of Mrs. Newby. She +often wondered why Beth did not adore her +stepmother, she was so gracious and kind, so +just and generous.</p> + +<p>The vacation days passed all too rapidly +for the girls. They would go back the next +day, and Dolly was no nearer discovering +the “rift within the lute” that served to make +the music mute, than she had been on the day +of her arrival. She concluded that she would +never be any wiser, but that evening an incident +happened that gave her a glimpse of +Beth’s hidden life.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span><a id='link_9'></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>It</span> was Nell’s fourth birthday anniversary, +and the child was to have a little party in the +afternoon; in the evening Mrs. Newby had +arranged for a small farewell party for Beth +and Dolly. Both affairs would be more or +less informal, but they would be none the less +enjoyable for that reason. Nell was wild +with delight.</p> + +<p>Fifteen of her small friends had been sent +pretty invitations, and she told everyone of +the wonderful birthday cake that Bridget +had made, and that would have four little +wax candles on it for her to blow out.</p> + +<p>“I don’t like that part of the program +myself,” Mrs. Newby remarked in a low tone +to the two girls. “I am always so afraid of +some accident; but I really believe that Nell +would feel she had not been given a party +at all, if she did not have her birthday cake +and her four candles.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry, Mrs. Newby,” Dolly said +comfortingly. “If you chance to be out of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span> +the room when the wonderful cake comes in, +Beth and I will watch Nell carefully until the +candles are extinguished.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you, Dolly. I presume I am +foolish, but such dreadful things do happen, +you know.”</p> + +<p>Dolly assented, and then in the bustle of +preparations for the two parties, which unfortunately +came on the same day, she forgot +all about her promise. Afterward, she +reproached herself bitterly for her neglect.</p> + +<p>The day was bright and sunny. The small +folks had had a glorious time, and were now +sitting around the table enjoying Nell’s birthday +feast. The sandwiches and other substantials +had been passed, and Mrs. Newby +had gone into the kitchen a moment to see +about the ices. Dolly and Beth had been +waiting on the little people and enjoying the +fun as much as they. The butler brought in +the grand birthday cake and put it in front of +the small hostess. Then he, too, went into +the kitchen. Nell looked at her cake for a +few moments in silent rapture, enjoying the +exclamations of admiration which she heard +from all her little guests. Suddenly it seemed +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span> +to her, that one of the candles leaned a little to +one side. She stretched out her hand to +straighten it. Instantly a flame leaped up +from the thin white fabric of her sleeves. +In a second it had sprung to her curls and the +children were shrieking in horror and affright.</p> + +<p>In another second Beth had pulled the child +from her chair, wrapped a rug around her, +and crushed the flames from the pretty curls +with her own unprotected hands.</p> + +<p>It was all over before Peter had reappeared +with the ices, but the cries had reached Mrs. +Newby, and with a dreadful premonition she +had rushed to the dining-room with her husband, +who had returned early from his office, +in honor of Nell’s birthday.</p> + +<p>As they entered, Beth was unwrapping +the rug from Nell. The flames were extinguished +and the child was safe, though the +fright had completely unnerved her, and she +was sobbing hysterically.</p> + +<p>Her dainty dress was burned, and her curls +were singed in front, but that was the extent +of the damage.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Newby caught her child to her arms +in a gush of unspeakable thankfulness, while +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span> +Dolly poured out her remorse and sorrow +with a flood of tears.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newby stood by, looking more shaken +than Dolly had ever believed possible for so +self-contained a man. He questioned Dolly +and Beth closely, and when the full particulars +of the accident had been told, he put +his arms around Beth and called her his +“brave, sensible daughter;” but his voice +trembled and Dolly was sure there were tears +in his eyes.</p> + +<p>Peter waited on the little folks for the +remainder of the meal, while Mrs. Newby +carried Nell off to change her dress and to +look after Beth’s hands. They were badly +burned; not seriously, however, and while +Beth might suffer considerably from them for +two or three weeks, there would probably +be no permanent scars. Mr. Newby had insisted +on summoning a physician at once, +despite Beth’s protests. Her hands had been +dressed, and she had been told that she must +consent to be waited upon for the next week +or two like a baby.</p> + +<p>“But I must go back to college tomorrow, +Doctor, that is a positive fact.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span>Dr. Thornton looked rather grave. “If +you are careless, Miss Newby, your hands +will be permanently scarred. They should +be dressed every day, and you should use +them as little as possible.”</p> + +<p>“I do not think that I can consent to your +going, Beth,” said her father gravely.</p> + +<p>“And I cannot consent to staying at home, +Father,” Beth returned decidedly. “Dr. Randolph, +our college physician, will dress my +hands for me every day. I promise to be +very careful.”</p> + +<p>“If you are willing to have her go,” Dolly +said anxiously, “I will do everything that I +can for her during the next two or three weeks. +I feel as if this were all my fault, anyway, for +I had promised Mrs. Newby that I would look +after the birthday cake. Then I was attending +to something else when it came in and I +forgot all about it. If it had not been for +Beth–” She stopped shudderingly.</p> + +<p>“I know that you would do all you possibly +could for Beth,” Mr. Newby said slowly. +“Still I do not feel that she ought to go.”</p> + +<p>“I must, Father,” and Beth turned away +with an air of finality, as if the matter were +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span> +settled once for all. Mr. Newby said nothing +more at the moment, but he looked far from +satisfied. He followed Beth from the room +presently, leaving Dolly and his wife alone, +for Baby Nell had fallen asleep and the tiny +guests had all gone home.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Newby turned to Dolly with tears in +her eyes. “Elizabeth has saved me from a +lifetime of sorrow, but she will not even let +me thank her. If she only loved me–” +She broke off as if afraid to trust her voice.</p> + +<p>Dolly broke in impetuously: “I do not +see how anyone can help loving you, Mrs. +Newby.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Newby smiled rather sadly. “I cannot +blame Beth at all, nor myself, either, for +that matter. I believe I will tell you about +it, Dolly, if you care to hear. I have never +discussed the subject with anyone before, +but Elizabeth’s coldness and want of affection +have been very hard to bear.”</p> + +<p>“Yet you said that you did not blame her, +Mrs. Newby?” Dolly said, a little wonderingly.</p> + +<p>“And I do not. It is rather strange that +I should be mentioning this subject to you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span> +at all, when you are such a mere child yet; +but you understand Elizabeth, and she seems +more like a girl with you than I ever saw her +before. I have tried to give her everything +that I have fancied she wanted, but there were +some things that I could not give her–that she +would not let me give her. I do not know +whether Elizabeth has ever talked to you about +her own mother or not. She must have been a +very beautiful woman; she and Elizabeth +were passionately devoted to each other. +They were always together, and I have been +told by the old servants here in the family, +that they seldom saw such absolute love as +Elizabeth gave her mother. She deserved it, +for she was an ideal mother in every respect.” +Mrs. Newby stopped and caught her breath. +The hardest part of her story was still to be +told.</p> + +<p>“She caught a cold the fall that Elizabeth +was nine years old, and it developed into +pneumonia. In a week she was dead. They +feared at first that the child, too, would die; +but her mother had had a long, loving talk +with her after she knew that there was no hope +of her recovery. Exactly what she said to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span> +Elizabeth, of course, no one ever knew, but +her Christian faith was one of her most +marked characteristics, and she must have +succeeded in imparting it to her child in a +very vivid manner, for while Elizabeth grieved +intensely, her grief was more like one who +sorrowed for a person gone on a long journey, +than like one bereft by death. Of course, everything +that her mother had said or done was +sacred in her eyes. She did not like anyone +to touch her room, her chair, or any of her +belongings. That was all perfectly right and +natural. And now, Dolly, comes the hard +part of my story. I cannot tell it without +seeming to censure my husband, and yet I +presume that he thought he was doing all for +the best. He and I have never discussed +the subject since the first night when I came +to this house. I learned the truth then, and +I know that I spoke to him very bitterly and +harshly. Since then the subject has not +been mentioned between us; nevertheless, +it has been a cloud on all our married life. +I would not be telling you all this so frankly, +Dolly, if I did not want you to understand +Elizabeth fully, and to help her. She is +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span> +honest as the day. I often feel hungry for +her affection. I shall never be satisfied without +it, but the manner in which I came here +rendered it impossible for me to win her love.”</p> + +<p>Mrs. Newby paused again, and Dolly +waited in growing bewilderment.</p> + +<p>“The winter after Elizabeth’s mother died, +Mr. Newby went west on business. He met +me there. He was lonesome, and we were +congenial in many ways. He came west +several times, and we became engaged. We +were married quietly the next summer. There +were no invitations because of my mother’s +recent death; we sent announcement cards, +but that was all. Of course, I knew that +John had been married before, and that he +had a daughter. What I did not know was +that his wife had been dead less than a year, +and that Elizabeth knew nothing of his marriage. +Dolly, I believe that many men are +cowards in their own families. I cannot imagine +why my husband acted as he did. I can +see Elizabeth’s startled, shocked face yet, as +her father took me into the house and told +her that he had brought her a new mother.”</p> + +<p>“Hadn’t the servants told her?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>“They did not know of it either, Dolly, as +I learned later. The child then was shocked +and stunned. She said very little, but I +heard her cry herself to sleep that night and +countless nights afterward. A little tact +would have saved all the trouble. If she had +been told kindly and tenderly beforehand, +that her father was lonely, and that he was +going to bring me here–not to be a mother +to Elizabeth–but to be a friend and helper +to them both, there would have been no +trouble. As it was, the child was too hurt +ever to care for me. My chance of winning +her affection had been lost. Had things been +different, there would have been no trouble. +Had she been old enough then to understand +matters, I should have told her the truth. +But she was too young then. Can you +wonder, Dolly, that I felt bitter and heartsick +that night? I spoke very angrily to John, +and that did not mend matters in the least.”</p> + +<p>Dolly slipped her hand into Mrs. Newby’s. +“I am so dreadfully sorry, for it all seems to +me to have been so needless. I hardly see +why Mr. Newby did not tell both you and +Beth everything.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span>“He was afraid to tell Elizabeth, my dear, +for he felt at a disadvantage with her. He +did not want to take the time and patience +necessary to make her see the subject from +his standpoint. In fact, he meant to have +his own way, and he did not mean to run any +chance of obstacles being placed in his path. +He was afraid to tell me the truth for fear I +would insist upon delaying our marriage, and +I certainly should have done so. Had we +waited a little, and had Elizabeth come to +visit me first, my married life would have +been a very different thing. John had his +own way, but I think that he found that it +hardly paid in the end. Selfishness does not +pay in the long run, Dolly.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder, Mrs. Newby, that you never +explained things to Beth when she grew +older.”</p> + +<p>“As I said, Dolly, she was too young at +first to tell her the facts of the case. She +was merely hurt and heartbroken then. +As she grew older and comprehended the +situation better, she judged me more harshly. +How could she believe I had married her father +in less than a year from the time of her mother’s +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span> +death without knowing that fact, and how +could she know, too, that I had supposed +her to be a mere baby, not older than Nell, +at most, whose love could be won after our +marriage instead of before, as should have +been the case with her? There has never +been a time when I felt that I could tell her, +and yet, in justice to myself, I wish that she +knew.”</p> + +<p>“Won’t you tell her now, Mrs. Newby? +I do wish you would.”</p> + +<p>“It is too late,” Mrs. Newby said despairingly. +“One cannot alter the habits and +feelings of years at a moment’s notice.”</p> + +<p>“But still–”</p> + +<p>“Never mind, Dolly, I understand now–for +I was guilty of listening. I did it purposely, +Mother–I couldn’t help it. Will you +forgive me? When I came back, you had +commenced to talk to Dolly, and I heard my +name. I stopped, for I wanted to hear what +you were saying; it was a dreadful thing +for me to do, of course, but I’m not a bit +sorry. I am awfully stupid to have lived +with you all these years, and yet to have +supposed you were such a person as I have +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span> +always pictured you in my thoughts. I +wonder if you are going to forgive me at this +late day–”</p> + +<p>And then Dolly slipped out of the room, +glad to the inmost depths of her heart that +things were getting “straightened out” as +she phrased it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Newby had had two sensitive natures +with which to deal in the days gone by, and +he had not appreciated the fact in the least. +One of the persons had been only a child, and +he had not counted on her as being a definite +influence at all. <i>There</i> he had made a great +mistake.</p> + +<p>Even after his marriage, however, if he +could have had the courage to tell his story +frankly to Beth, and confess his loneliness +to her, she would have viewed the matter in a +different light. Mrs. Newby knew that in his +so doing, lay her only hope of winning the +child’s heart; but she was proud, too, and if +he would not do this voluntarily, she would +not beg him to do it. And so, during all +these years, for lack of the word never spoken, +she and Beth had missed the mutual love and +helpfulness which they might have given +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span> +each other, and which would have made +their lives so much sweeter and brighter.</p> + +<p>Despite the accident of the afternoon, the +evening party was a great success, and Beth, +much to her open disgust, found herself regarded +as something of a heroine.</p> + +<p>Once during the course of the evening, +Mr. Newby heard Beth address his wife as +“Mother.” A new light had come into his +eyes at the time, and a look of quiet determination. +The look was still there when +he sought his wife in the library after their +young guests had gone.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span><a id='link_10'></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>She</span> was putting the room in order, and he +stepped to her side as she stood by the table. +“Christine, are matters all right at last between +you and Elizabeth?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, John, I think that they are.”</p> + +<p>“It is all my fault that they have ever +been any other way. I was selfish, at first, +in my fear lest you would ask me to postpone +our wedding day; then, afterward, when I +saw what a grave mistake I had made, I was +too cowardly to take the blame myself and +explain matters to the child as I should have +done. There was a sort of tacit deceit on my +part, Christine, for which I have paid very +bitterly. You have made our home beautiful, +but, because of my folly, there has been +that one jarring note in it.”</p> + +<p>“It is all right now.”</p> + +<p>“But no thanks to me. However, I am +going to have a talk with Beth yet tonight. +I shall not excuse myself; what is the worst +thing in my own eyes, Christine, has been my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span> +cowardice in not facing the subject fairly long +ago and telling Elizabeth that you were not +in the least open to censure. The fault was all +mine, but I have left you to bear the blame.”</p> + +<p>This was so absolutely true that Mrs. Newby +made no reply, but she looked at her husband +with a very forgiving smile as she laid her +hand on his.</p> + +<p>“You are an angel, Christine. Some women +would never forgive me.”</p> + +<p>She laughed a little tremulously. “I know +better, my dear, than to expect perfection +from a poor, frail man. I am not an angel +myself, as you know very well.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know it at all,” he retorted, bending +to kiss her. “I hear Elizabeth in the +drawing-room. I shall see her before she +goes upstairs. Christine, you are perfectly +happy now?”</p> + +<p>“No,” she replied promptly, and evidently +to his surprise.</p> + +<p>“Then tell me the trouble at once.”</p> + +<p>“I am worried about Roy. He is too +young to be sent away to school. I presume +it answers very well with some children, but +he needs me.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span>“But the public schools are so far away +from us, dear, and I thought that he was +hardly strong enough to stand the strain of +the two sessions there. I did not know that +you objected to his going. You said nothing, +you know, to that effect.”</p> + +<p>“You seemed so very sure that it was the +right thing to do, and I did not know but it +might turn out better than I feared. But +he dreads the going back unspeakably. I +found him crying about it last night, and I +cannot consent to his return.”</p> + +<p>“Then he certainly shall not go,” Mr. +Newby returned promptly. “But what do +you propose to do with him?”</p> + +<p>“He can have some private lessons here at +home. I shall see that he has enough to do, +but not too much. Boys of that age need a +mother, John.”</p> + +<p>“I presume so,” Mr. Newby returned ruefully. +“So far as I can see, I have made a +mess of about everything that I have attempted +to manage.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t slander yourself; I would not let +anyone else say that of you, most assuredly, +and, besides, it is not true, John.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>“I am not at all sure of that, Christine.” +Then he kissed her again, and went in search +of Beth, with whom he had a long talk, despite +the fact that it was then after midnight.</p> + +<p>After all, Beth did not return with Dolly. +Mrs. Newby frankly owned that she should +feel very anxious if Beth went off to college before +her hands had healed, and Beth found +herself the next morning watching her stepmother +unpack her trunk, while she herself +was quite rejoiced over the fact that she should +have another week or two at home. So Dolly +went back alone.</p> + +<p>Beth came ten days later, and Dolly knew, +from the expression of contentment and +happiness on her face, that she was now enjoying +the blessing which a real home and +home-love can give.</p> + +<p>The term was a busy one for all the girls. +They had come to college, for the most part, +at least, because they were inspired by a genuine +love for knowledge. They had their +times of recreation, of course, and their merry +evenings in Dolly’s room when they again +made fudge and tea. Nevertheless, there +was plenty of good, hard work done, and the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span> +Easter holidays found them all ready for a +brief rest again. Mary went home with +Dolly, and Beth would stop for one night on +her return to college; but now, strangely +enough, as it seemed to Beth herself, she +could scarcely wait to get home.</p> + +<p>Beth had roomed alone since Margery +Ainsworth’s expulsion, and while Dolly often +longed to get permission to move her possessions +across the hall, and become Beth’s +room-mate, she was too truly fond of Mary +by this time, to wish to hurt her feelings. So, +while the girls often wished that they could +room together, it did not seem possible, for +the freshmen year at least.</p> + +<p>As commencement time drew near, the +other students began to make arrangements +for the next year. Rooms and room-mates +were chosen, and everything gotten into +readiness for the ensuing term. Dolly and +Beth were talking it over one day, rather +lugubriously, in Beth’s room.</p> + +<p>“All the other girls have settled their plans, +and I have been hoping that Mary would say +something to me. She must know that we +want to room together. Of course, I like her, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span> +but not as much as I like you. I am going +to speak to her today, Beth.”</p> + +<p>“I really think that that is the only thing +left to be done; but we don’t want to hurt +her feelings, Dolly.”</p> + +<p>“I’ll try not to do that, Beth, but we +must settle affairs.”</p> + +<p>However, Mary herself introduced the +weighty topic that evening, when the three +were making tea.</p> + +<p>“Of course, I know that you two girls want +to room together next year, but I hope that +you have not spoken for a room yet.”</p> + +<p>Dolly flushed a little. “We would not be +very apt to make any arrangements without +telling you, Mary. You ought to know that +we don’t do underhanded things.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Dolly, I didn’t mean to hurt your +feelings at all, but I supposed you would +room together. That was settled long ago, +wasn’t it? But I have a little scheme, too, +that I trust you will like.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us about it,” and Dolly looked a trifle +ashamed of her unnecessary heat.</p> + +<p>“Aunt Mary has her bedroom and sitting-room, +of course, to herself, but opening onto +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span> +her sitting-room from the other side is a small +storeroom. The president says that I may +have that as a bedroom if I wish, and I can +use Aunt Mary’s sitting-room. They will +fit it up this summer. The college needs more +rooms, anyway. Now beyond my room are +some lovely rooms for you girls, if you want +them. What do you say? I don’t want to +be selfish, but it did seem to me that it might +be a lovely plan.”</p> + +<p>“Lovely? It is grand! Superb! You are +a duck and a darling, Mary, to have thought +of it.”</p> + +<p>“Dolly thinks that she will be near Professor +Newton now, and she would be willing +to room on the roof to effect that,” said Beth +mischievously.</p> + +<p>But Dolly was too elated to mind Beth’s +teasing. “We’ll make all sorts of pretty +things this summer. By the way, Beth, +where do you intend to spend the summer, +anyway?”</p> + +<p>“Father says that Mother and I may decide +that weighty matter. We have been in +the habit of going to the seashore, but he +fancies that some other place would be better +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span> +for Roy, although the child is very much +stronger since Mother has had him at home +under her eye.”</p> + +<p>“Then, Elizabeth Newby, I will tell you +what to do. Mother writes that Father has +taken the same cottage at the Thousand +Isles that we had last year. You must come +there, too. We can have an ideal time. +Fred likes fishing and yachting. He will be +away part of the summer, but will be with us +at first, and a crowd of his friends, too. We +can have glorious times! Hurrah!”</p> + +<p>“Hurrah!” echoed Beth, for the idea +caught her fancy. “We shall certainly do +it! Mother will agree to whatever I propose. +I wish you were to be there, too, Mary.”</p> + +<p>But Mary shook her head contentedly. “I +know it is much more beautiful than our +farm, but I don’t believe that even a sight of +the Alps would induce me to miss my visit +home.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not. But you see, fortunately, +Dolly and I mean to take our families along. +What a good time we shall have! I wonder +if Professor Newton wouldn’t like to make +us a little visit? It is beautiful there, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span> +the ride on the steamers, out and in among +the islands on a moonlight night, is as lovely +as anything in fairyland.”</p> + +<p>“Go and ask her, Dolly, run right off! +Someone else may get her promise first!”</p> + +<p>“Be still, Beth! Do you think that she +would like to go, Mary?”</p> + +<p>“I should certainly suppose that she would +be delighted. By the way, as we are only insignificant +freshies still, and have no receptions +or other grand functions on hand like +the other classes, she wanted to know if we +would spend Tuesday evening with her.”</p> + +<p>“Will we? Of course we will! When did +she ask us? Why didn’t you tell us before?”</p> + +<p>“She gave me the message this afternoon, +and you have really not given me a chance +to tell it before.”</p> + +<p>“What a libel. Say to her that we will go; +no doubt of that, is there, Dolly? Let us +put on our best gowns and do justice +to the occasion. Is anyone else invited, +Mary?”</p> + +<p>“We are to go immediately after dinner, +and a couple of hours later, Miss Hamilton +and some fifteen others will arrive. We must +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span> +help entertain them. You know there is +nothing special on hand for Tuesday evening.”</p> + +<p>“We should go, anyway, no matter where +else we were invited,” declared Dolly with +decision. “By the way, girls, the year is +practically over, and our president still goes +on her way serenely, and the very snobbiest +girls in the class adore her.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad. We don’t want any class +rows, and you know very well how Abby +Dunbar and Helen Raymond would act, if +they knew the truth. Though, after all, +I cannot see what difference it makes.”</p> + +<p>“Where is she going this summer? Do +either of you know?”</p> + +<p>“I asked her yesterday. She is going home +for three or four weeks with Abby Dunbar. +After that, she and her mother are going to +some quiet country place.”</p> + +<p>Beth gave a sudden laugh. “You know, +Mrs. Hamilton never comes to the college, but +Margaret goes to see her almost daily. Abby +Dunbar must have seen her on the evening of +our entertainment, for she told me that she +admired Mrs. Hamilton <i>so</i> much; it was such +a pity that she was an invalid! Margaret has +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span> +never said that she was an invalid, you know. +I suppose Abby just concluded that she must +be, because she leads such a quiet life.”</p> + +<p>“She does it entirely for Margaret’s sake, +I’m sure. Not that Margaret asks her to do +it, but she fears to meet people who knew +her when she was a servant. Abby approves +of her, because she dresses well, and is at the +most aristocratic boarding-place in Westover.”</p> + +<p>“There is just one thing that I should not +do, were I Margaret,” said Beth slowly. +“Knowing Abby Dunbar as well as she does, +she must be confident that Abby would not +take her home, did she know that both of +Margaret’s parents had been servants the +greater part of their lives. Knowing that, +I think that Margaret does wrong to go.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t that a matter of standpoints? Margaret +may reason that <i>she</i> is the one invited, +and that who or what her parents were, need +not concern any person save herself. She +would not deny the truth if questioned, but +she sees no use in advertising it. I must +say,” concluded Mary, energetically, “that +I agree with her.”</p> + +<p>“Well, in her place, my dear, I should +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span> +accept no invitations except such as I were +sure would be given, even if all the facts were +known.”</p> + +<p>“I hope they will not be known for the +next three years, at least. By the way, do +you both thoroughly realize that when we +return this fall, we shall not be insignificant +freshmen, but lofty sophomores? That we +shall not be lonely and homesick and have +no one to whom to talk, and that we can haze +the newcomers?”</p> + +<p>The girls laughed.</p> + +<p>“What bliss awaits us! By the way, +Dolly, you must be our president next year.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know,” began Dolly, but Beth +broke in;</p> + +<p>“No, she can’t be. Don’t look so surprised; +I am wiser now than formerly, and I want +Dolly to be president in our senior year. +I find that it is an unwritten law that the +same person cannot be president during two +years. It seems to be the opinion that there +is plenty of good material for officers in the +class, and that it would be piggish for one +person to be president twice. It doesn’t +make any difference about the other officers, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span> +for they are not so important. I am glad, +now, that Margaret Hamilton was elected +last fall.”</p> + +<p>“And I am glad that you confess it at last, +Beth. Listen a moment! Let us go and see +what all that hubbub in the hall means. +Even for the last week of college, it seems +to me there is a dreadful amount of noise.”</p> + +<p>“There certainly is, and it behooves us to +investigate.”</p> + +<p>A louder scream from the hallway made +the girls rush out unceremoniously.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span><a id='link_11'></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>At</span> the farther end of the corridor, a crowd +had gathered, and the three girls hurrying +there, found that the commotion issued from +Charlotte Graves’s room.</p> + +<p>Charlotte was explaining; “It was my +exasperating lamp. It has always been +wobbly, and tonight, when I chanced to hit +the table, it went over. I might have +known enough to pull a blanket off the +bed, and smother it; but, of course, I just +stood here and screamed. Then Margaret +Hamilton came in and put it out. That’s +what it is to have presence of mind! I always +was a fool when there was anything to +be done. I tell you what, Miss Hamilton, +those freshmen knew what they were doing +when they elected you class president. If +I’m not brilliant myself, I can recognize a +good thing when I see it.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Graves, I tell you what you must +do in sheer gratitude to the freshmen–invite +us all in and get out those delicious cakes +and pickles of yours. You ought to treat.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span>“That is certainly so, come along, all of +you. Sit on the floor if you can’t find any +other place to sit,” and after the girls had +properly bestowed themselves, she got out +her jars and boxes, for Charlotte was fond +of good things and always kept an unlimited +supply on hand.</p> + +<p>“I trust you understand,” she said severely, +“that the rest of you freshmen are only +here out of compliment to your president. +I don’t for a moment consider the rest of you +her equal in anything. As she has the misfortune, +however, to belong to the class of +’09 instead of ’08, we must put up with the +rest of you, I suppose, for her sake.”</p> + +<p>There was a chorus of groans from the +freshmen, and Charlotte’s voice was drowned +in an outburst of animated retorts. Under +cover of the fun, Abby Dunbar said to Dolly, +who chanced to be sitting next to her on the +window ledge; “One can see that Margaret +is a true aristocrat. It shows in every move +she makes, and every word she says.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think so?”</p> + +<p>“Why, yes, indeed. Surely you have +noticed it? Mamma is always so careful +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span> +about my associates, but she cannot help +being perfectly delighted with Margaret. +Don’t you like her?”</p> + +<p>“I certainly do.”</p> + +<p>“I thought you must, for you were so good +last fall at the time of our class elections. +Margaret has made an ideal president.”</p> + +<p>Then the conversation became general +again, much to Dolly’s relief. In some way +the subject branched off to military men, and +Margaret was appealed to.</p> + +<p>“Were any of your relatives army men, +Miss Hamilton? And don’t you think that +they are the finest men in the world?”</p> + +<p>“I have not been blessed with many relations, +Miss Fox, and so I have not had the +chance to have military men in my own family +and to know them intimately, as some of you +have done. Of course, I admire them. Some +of my ancestors were in the wars of 1776 and +1812, but I never saw them. My own father +was anxious to be a military man and he +entered West Point. He had a splendid +record there, and was in love with the life, +when he met with an accident out yachting +that ruined his health, left him a trifle lame, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span> +and forced him to give up all thoughts of a +military life. He never got over the disappointment.”</p> + +<p>There was a general expression of sympathy, +and Margaret found herself the target for +more questions than she cared to answer. +In such a babel of voices, however, it was +easy to disregard any which she did not choose +to hear, so that she extricated herself serenely +from a position which Dolly knew to be rather +trying.</p> + +<p>It was late, and as Charlotte’s cakes and +pickles had been demolished, the girls separated +presently.</p> + +<p>“You think that Margaret’s story was quite +true?” Beth asked as they slowly paced the +corridor on the way back to their rooms.</p> + +<p>“I’m sure of it. Of course, her ancestors +may have been privates in the wars of 1776 +and 1812, but still they would have been +soldiers all the same.”</p> + +<p>“But about her father?”</p> + +<p>“I imagine that he won his West Point +cadetship by a competitive examination. +You know those appointments are given +in that way. He may have been very poor, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span> +indeed, but if he stood highest in the examination, +he would certainly receive the +appointment. When he left West Point he +evidently had no friends to help him to a good +position, and so he took the first honest work +that he could find, at least, I imagine that such +was the case.”</p> + +<p>“You are about right, I’m sure. Poor +Margaret. I don’t know why I pity her, +though. She seems quite capable of holding +her own. She is worth a score of Abby Dunbars.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Dunbar will either be a freshman +next year, again, or else become a special +student. I understand that the stupid ones +who fail in their examinations, usually linger +on for a year or two as ‘specials,’ so that they +can say they have been at Westover.”</p> + +<p>“And Miss Dunbar has failed?”</p> + +<p>“Flatly.”</p> + +<p>“I’m glad that we got through, Beth, and +Mary is all right, too. I was rather worried +about Mary’s mathematics, to tell the truth, +but her aunt gave her some coaching at the +last. She is so thankful that she will not have +to take them next year.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span>“And I like mathematics better than anything +else. I shall take an extra course in it.”</p> + +<p>“You will be sure to win the senior prize +for that branch, Beth. I am a little like +Mary, however. I shall not take more mathematics +than I absolutely must.”</p> + +<p>“We’ll not take mathematics, or anything +else, for three blessed months.”</p> + +<p>“We shall have jolly times, my dear, see +if we don’t.”</p> + +<p>And they certainly did. In Dolly’s eyes, +at least, the evening spent in Professor +Newton’s room was more important than the +commencement exercises themselves. Professor +Newton had taken a quiet moment +to thank Dolly for her real kindness to Mary +during the year, and Dolly thereupon had +summoned courage to beg Professor Newton +to visit her during the summer at the Thousand +Isles. The invitation had been accepted, +and Dolly felt that her cup of happiness was +running over.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Newby was very glad to accede to +Beth’s wishes for the summer; and the +girls had a delightful time, for Mr. Newby +was fortunate enough to secure the cottage +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span> +adjoining the one which Dolly’s father had +taken.</p> + +<p>Fred brought a crowd of college chums +again, and there was plenty of yachting and +fishing. In the evenings there were lovely +rows on the St. Lawrence, and music and +singing.</p> + +<p>The girls were provided with kodak cameras, +and every week they sent a group +of pictures to Mary. She had started for her +home on the day that college closed, but +she wrote regularly, and her letters, which +seemed at first quite stiff and formal, grew +toward the end of the vacation to be as +chatty and bright as those sent her by Beth +and Dolly.</p> + +<p>Professor Newton’s visit had been postponed +until the last fortnight, and when she +came, she found a comparatively small crowd +at the Alden cottage. All of Fred’s former +visitors had left, but Dick Martin and Bob +Steele had come down for the last part of the +vacation. The former had spent his time in the +woods of Maine, while Robert Steele had been +doing hard work in a law office in Boston; +for he had fully made up his mind that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span> +would be a lawyer. He would have a hard +time, but he was becoming accustomed to +hard times, and his innate grit and indomitable +pluck would doubtless carry him triumphantly +through.</p> + +<p>Roy had grown brown and healthy during +the summer outing, and Mrs. Newby declared +every day, that she was under infinite obligations +to Dolly for suggesting their coming to +the place.</p> + +<p>Beth and her stepmother had grown to +know each other well, and Beth was devoted +to Mrs. Newby. It seemed as if she were +anxious to make up in some way, for those +miserable years that were lost to them +through a wretched misunderstanding. Mr. +Newby seemed younger and brighter than +Beth had ever known him before. While he +said but little, his wife realized that he, too, +had paid a heavy penalty during those years, +and that now he was rejoicing in the real +family love and good fellowship that pervaded +his home.</p> + +<p>Professor Newton looked at them all with +interested eyes. It seemed strange enough +to her that Robert Steele, whose history she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span> +knew, should find Beth so congenial. While +there was plenty of depth to Beth, she usually +showed strangers only the froth and sparkle +of her character. However, the two seemed +to understand each well, and to be the best +of friends. One day Professor Newton heard +Mr. Newby suggesting that Rob spend the +next summer in Philadelphia and read law +in his office. Naturally enough, the young +man grasped the opportunity eagerly. It +was a chance which many young men of +wealth and social position coveted, and it had +come to him unsolicited. Professor Newton +could not help wondering if Mr. Newby quite +realized what he was doing, but she had no +right to interfere, and she was not even sure +that she would have interfered if she had +had the right.</p> + +<p>Despite the happy summer-time, the girls +were not sorry to return to college. They +were sophomores now, and could afford to +look down on the green freshmen who +seemed so forlorn and lonesome. Beth and +Dolly fixed up their rooms in a gorgeous and +artistic manner. Dolly’s chafing-dish still +held a conspicuous place. Beth had one, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span> +too, this year, and their room bade fair to be +one of the most popular in the building.</p> + +<p>Mary was next door, and just beyond +was Professor Newton’s sitting-room; for +the girls had been able to carry out the plan +that Mary had proposed at the close of the +freshmen year.</p> + +<p>Margaret Hamilton looked into their room +as they were giving the finishing touches.</p> + +<p>“May I come in, or are you too busy to +talk?”</p> + +<p>“As if we were ever too busy to talk to our +president,” said Dolly promptly, pushing +her guest down into an easy chair.</p> + +<p>“I shall not be president after this week, +you know, and that is what brought me here. +Who is your candidate for the place?”</p> + +<p>“Not Dolly,” said Beth promptly. “I +have set my heart on her being president during +our senior year.”</p> + +<p>Margaret’s brow cleared. “She would make +a capital president for our last year, and I +pledge myself to work for her. Now, as she is +out of the question, for the present, I want +to tell you that my candidate is Elizabeth +Newby.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span>“How perfectly absurd!” That was Beth’s +exclamation, of course.</p> + +<p>“It is not absurd, and I want you, please, +to listen to me. She can be elected, for the +girls have not forgotten how grateful they were +to her for saving our reputation at the entertainment +last fall. There is no other strong +candidate. Of course, ever so many names +will be proposed in as large a class as ours, +but the only one who will carry many votes +is Hazel Fox.”</p> + +<p>“Hazel Fox!” the girls both exclaimed +aghast.</p> + +<p>“Yes, and you see what I mean. She is +not the person for the place. We could not +feel proud of her in any way. She barely +escaped conditions this year, and I don’t +suppose she will ever get through the sophomore +year with a clean record. The class is +so grateful to Elizabeth, that she could be +elected almost unanimously. What do you +say?”</p> + +<p>“Never mind what Beth says, I say that +it is a ‘go.’ I’ll work for her with all my +might and main. I’m sure she will be +elected! Of course, you will be made chairman +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span> +of the executive committee.” This +was a position which the classes had uniformly +given the retiring president.</p> + +<p>“I do not know. The girls may want someone +else elected.” And Dolly told herself +that Margaret never felt sure of her hold on +her classmates. She felt that Margaret would +feel more secure if every bit of her history were +known; probably, too, she would be happier.</p> + +<p>They talked over the coming elections at +some length, and had just decided upon the +list of candidates whom they would favor +when Mary entered. The news was told to +her, and she endorsed Beth’s candidacy very +heartily, despite the fact that Beth herself +persisted in regarding the whole matter as a +huge joke.</p> + +<p>It was impossible, seemingly, for Beth to +realize that she was actually popular with the +girls, that her many little deeds of quiet +kindness, and her bright ways, had won her a +warm corner in every heart. The matter was +talked over again after Mary’s entrance, and +then Mary announced a bit of news herself.</p> + +<p>“We have an addition to our class. Did +you know it? Miss Van Gerder was a freshman +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span> +two years ago, and was a fine student, I +believe; but she was not here last year because +her mother’s health was poor, and +they went to Europe. We shall have one of +the largest sophomore classes ever enrolled +here. I am glad that she is to be one of us, +aren’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Do you know her first name and in what +city she lives?” Margaret asked, ignoring +Mary’s question.</p> + +<p>“She lives in New York, and her first +name is Constance.”</p> + +<p>Something in Margaret Hamilton’s tone +had caused all three of the girls to look at her +intently. There was no disguising the fact +that she was startled and dismayed. All of +them realized that Miss Van Gerder must +have known Margaret in the old days in +Chicago, and all three felt sorry for her now. +Her position was not enviable. She showed +little of what she felt, however, and soon +after returned to her own room.</p> + +<p>Dolly and Beth were passing along the +lower corridor to the dining-room that evening, +when they heard someone exclaim; +“Why, Margaret, how glad I am to see you! +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span> +I did not know what had become of you +after you left Chicago!”</p> + +<p>The speaker was a tall, stylish girl, whom +they knew to be Miss Van Gerder. At least, +she appeared to like Margaret, and Dolly +saw Abby Dunbar’s eyes sparkle at this unmistakable +proof of her friend’s “aristocracy,” +for Constance Van Gerder was the daughter +of one of the richest men in the country, and +neither Miss Dunbar, nor anyone else at the +college could claim the wealth or social distinction +of the Van Gerders. Her face was not +handsome, but Dolly liked it; it was fine and +clear-cut. A face that was too noble for +petty motives or mean ambitions.</p> + +<p>Margaret had no time to say more than a +few words in reply, when the second gong +hurried them to the dining-room. Dolly tried +to gain Miss Van Gerder’s side and sit beside +her at the table, for as yet the permanent +places had not been assigned, and the students +took whatever seats they wished.</p> + +<p>Dolly found herself foiled, however, in this +attempt, by Abby Dunbar, who had evidently +determined to make the most of the opportunity, +and who kept beside her new classmate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span> +until they took their seats at table. Beth +and Dolly were opposite them, but Margaret +was at another table at the far end of the +room.</p> + +<p>“Miss Van Gerder looks kind,” whispered +Beth to Dolly. “If we only sat next to her, +so as to prevent her saying anything during +this meal, there would be no further danger. +After dinner I shall carry her off to our +room and tell her the whole story. Oh, yes! +you needn’t look so surprised. I’m not acquainted +with her, but I shall do it anyway. +You must mount guard outside, during the +scene, and not let anyone else come in.”</p> + +<p>“If only she does not say something, all +unconsciously, during the dinner! I feel on +pins and needles myself. What must Margaret +feel?”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span><a id='link_12'></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<p>“<span class='sc'>Margaret</span> has pluck and pride. She will +hold her head as high as ever, no matter +what Miss Van Gerder may choose to say, +and if there be any snubbing to be done, she +will do it as effectually as Abby Dunbar.”</p> + +<p>“Very true, but to think that the two are +rooming together!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I confess that, in my opinion, Margaret +made a mistake there. I should not +have accepted any favors or any invitations +from that girl had I been Margaret, but that +is her affair, after all.”</p> + +<p>“Look! Look quickly, at Abby Dunbar’s +face,” whispered Dolly excitedly. “The murder +is out! I would give a dime to hear what +she is saying. There! Miss Van Gerder +realizes that she has said something she will +regret. I suppose Abby was pumping in the +very persistent way she has, and Miss Van +Gerder merely answered her questions. Oh, +how could she have been so thoughtless, +though? She might have known that Westover +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span> +is one of the snobbiest colleges in the +world.”</p> + +<p>“There is no use trying to head her off +now,” Beth declared disconsolately. “Still, +I mean to have my talk with her anyway. If +it be possible to repair the mischief, she will do +it. Miss Dunbar is glaring at Margaret as if +she would like to murder her!”</p> + +<p>“Do you suppose that she remembers all +the speeches she has made about Margaret’s +aristocratic bearing? If she acts as contemptibly +as I expect she will, I shall repeat +some of those speeches for her benefit. I’ve +been treasuring them in my memory.”</p> + +<p>“I wish this meal would come to an end.”</p> + +<p>To the two impatient girls, anxious to find +out just what Miss Van Gerder had said, and +what she would do in amends, dinner seemed +a most interminable meal. It came to an +end at last, however, and Beth, with her usual +directness, walked at once to Miss Van Gerder. +“Will you please come to my room a few +moments? I wish very particularly to see +you. I am Elizabeth Newby, and I am very +fond of Margaret Hamilton,” and Beth was +speaking the truth when she made that assertion, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span> +for she had come to like Margaret +as she had not expected that she ever would.</p> + +<p>Miss Van Gerder rose instantly, despite +Abby Dunbar’s exclamation of annoyance. +She had not been able to hear what Beth said, +but she was not at all ready to resign her claim +on the new arrival.</p> + +<p>“Please don’t go, Miss Newby. Miss Van +Gerder has just been telling me the most +awful thing about Margaret Hamilton, and +to think I begged her to room with me, and +took her home with me this summer, and that +we made her class president, it is too awful–and–”</p> + +<p>Miss Van Gerder paused a moment, a +rather dangerous light in her eyes. “I shall +be glad if I can persuade you to relinquish +your claims on Margaret, for I want her as a +room-mate myself.” Then she passed on.</p> + +<p>Beth squeezed her arm ecstatically, regardless +of the fact that they had never been +even introduced. “You are a darling, but, +oh, what possessed you to tell that girl anything +about Margaret?”</p> + +<p>“How do you know I did? Oh, I suppose +you were watching us. I noticed your eyes +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span> +on us all through the meal. How do you +happen to know anything more about Margaret +than her room-mate?”</p> + +<p>“That is what I want to tell you. Will you +come in, please? This is my room. Let me +introduce you to two more of your classmates–my +room-mate, Miss Alden, and Miss +Sutherland, our star student in biology. No, +don’t go, girls.”</p> + +<p>“I thought that I was to keep intruders +out.”</p> + +<p>“We will just lock the doors, and pay no +attention to any knocks. Now, Miss Van +Gerder, if you please, we will tell you first, +what we know about Margaret and how we +learned it; we are the only ones in the college +who do know anything more than she has +seen fit to tell. But don’t imagine that she +has said that she was anything that she +really wasn’t.”</p> + +<p>“I am glad of that, now tell me your story.”</p> + +<p>So Beth told it, with various interpolations +by Dolly and Mary; she repeated both Rob +Steele’s story and the conversation which she +and Dolly had chanced to overhear on the +night of the freshman entertainment.</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i7'></a><img src='images/illus-156.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +“Let me introduce you to two more of your classmates.” +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span>Miss Van Gerder drew a deep breath. “I +shall never forgive myself for the mischief I +have done, but I will do my best to repair it. +Let me tell you what I know of Margaret’s +family. In the first place, Mr. Worthington +was my great-uncle, and I visited at his +Chicago home very often, so that is the way +I came to know Margaret. I never saw very +much of her, for she was in school or busy +helping her mother, and, of course, I was +going to teas and receptions, and such things, +when I was there, although I wasn’t much +more than a child. Mrs. Hamilton was uncle’s +housekeeper for years, and after his wife died, +he depended on her entirely for things not +often entrusted to a servant. He had no children. +Mrs. Hamilton was a farmer’s daughter; +she is a good, sensible, honest woman. +She has always been very ambitious for +Margaret, and that is not strange, for Margaret +has a fine intellect. She inherits it from her +father. He was a farmer’s boy and came +from the same locality as Mrs. Hamilton. +They knew each other as children, and went +to the same district school. There Mrs. +Hamilton’s education stopped. Mr. Hamilton, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span> +however, had made up his mind, as a +boy, to go to West Point. He had no political +influence to help him, so he studied with all +his energy and might. He finally went to +the city, obtained employment at a boarding-house +to do work out of schooltime, and so +he managed to gain a thorough foundation. +He knew that his only chance of getting to +West Point at all, lay in his ability to outdistance +other boys in a competitive examination. +So I suppose no boy ever studied +harder than did he.”</p> + +<p>She stopped a moment to look at the interested +faces of her auditors. “His chance +finally came and he was ready for it. A +congressional appointment was offered the +boy who stood highest. Mr. Hamilton won +it. He went to West Point, and for nearly +three years he did fine work. While he was +there, his father died. His mother had died +long before. His father was ill for months +before his death, and Mr. Hamilton sent home +every cent that he could spare. At Easter +time in his third year he was invited, with +some other West Pointers, to spend the day +with an acquaintance up the Hudson. They +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span> +got permission and went. I do not know who +their host was, but he was not a West Pointer. +During the afternoon he took the cadets out +in a sailboat. I presume he knew enough of +boats ordinarily, but he was drunk that day; +he would not let any of the other young men +take charge, and so, when a little gust of wind +came up, the boat went over. The others +escaped with a ducking–even the drunken +fellow who was solely responsible for the +accident; but Mr. Hamilton struck on a rock, +on the boat, or on something–no one ever +knew just how it happened; anyway, the boys +had hard work saving him, though he was a +fine swimmer. When they pulled him into the +boat, he was insensible. For weeks they +thought that he would not recover, and when +he did get well, it was only to learn that he +must resign his cadetship. There had been +an accident to his spine which rendered him +totally unfit for a cadet’s life.”</p> + +<p>“How horribly, horribly sad.”</p> + +<p>“It was sad, and he wished thousands of +times that his companions had let him drown. +He would not give up hope until he had spent +every cent of money he possessed in consulting +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span> +specialists. But they could do nothing +for him. He drifted to Chicago, perfectly unfit +for any heavy work. He tried several +things and had to give them up. Then +uncle chanced to advertise for a coachman. +Mr. Hamilton answered the advertisement, +told uncle his story, and stayed with him +from that time until his death about six +years ago.”</p> + +<p>“And Mrs. Hamilton?”</p> + +<p>“He had very few friends, and all the +time that he was at West Point he had +corresponded with Mrs. Hamilton. They had +always been good friends; she must have +been very pretty as a girl. When uncle +heard that they were to be married, he fitted +up a tiny coachman’s house in the rear of his +grounds. He liked them both very much. +Afterward, he induced Mrs. Hamilton to come +up to the house and act as his housekeeper. +He came to depend upon her more and more.”</p> + +<p>“But where do you suppose their money +came from?”</p> + +<p>“Uncle left Mrs. Hamilton seven thousand +dollars. He knew that Margaret wished to +fit herself for a teacher in the higher grades, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span> +and he always meant to help her through +college. The money was intended partly for +that purpose, I am sure. Margaret probably +refused to come unless her mother would +stop working. After she has graduated here, +she can easily secure a position, and support +them both. They will have plenty of money +to last until then, for Mrs. Hamilton must +have saved considerable, too. Uncle paid +her generously.”</p> + +<p>“I think that your story of her father is +very sad. With his education it does seem +as if he could have secured some clerical +work or some position in a bank.”</p> + +<p>“There are eight hundred applicants for +every such place; besides, Mr. Hamilton +could not sit in a cramped position, writing; +he had to have a certain amount of outdoor +life, though he could not walk far. +Really, his work at my uncle’s, suited his +health admirably, though it was hard for +him to take a servant’s position; there is no +doubt of that. Uncle was kind to him, +and made the position as easy as possible, +still there was no denying the fact that +he was a coachman. One day a young +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span> +man came to visit uncle while I was there. +It turned out that he had been at West +Point while Mr. Hamilton was a cadet. +Margaret’s father felt horribly disgraced, +though there was no reason why he should. +He had to meet Lieutenant Maynard, and it +hurt his pride fearfully to act the part of a +servant toward his former classmate. He +always felt rebellious and bitter. He wasn’t +big enough to realize that ‘a man’s a man +for a’ that.’ I suppose it is hard to keep +that fact in mind under all circumstances, +and I have no business to be preaching, for +I would probably feel more bitter than did +he, if I should ever be similarly placed. As +long as his own ambitions had been defeated, +he became ambitious for Margaret. She +was to have a fine education, and to be +a professor in some college. She had a few +school friends, but not many intimates. Her +mother felt that she was slighted at school.”</p> + +<p>“And yet,” Beth could not resist saying +reproachfully, “you have made it even worse +for her here.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but you must believe that I did it +all unwittingly. I never gave a thought to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span> +what I was saying. I shall never forgive +myself for my carelessness. It came about +naturally enough, though. Miss Dunbar +seemed intensely interested in Margaret, and +kept asking questions until I was rather +out of patience, particularly as I was trying +to listen to a story which Professor Newton +was telling. She wanted to know where I +had met Margaret and if I knew her very +well. I said that I met her at my uncle’s +home in Chicago. Was Margaret visiting +there? No, she lived there. Oh, then she +was some relative of my uncle’s? And I +carelessly said no, that her mother had +charge of uncle’s house. I should have +thought twice before speaking, if I had not +been giving my main attention to Professor +Newton. As soon as I had made the remark, +there seemed to be a volcanic eruption at +my side, and I thought that Miss Dunbar +would have hysterics on the spot. She said +that she regretted the fact that Margaret +was her room-mate; that she was not accustomed +to rooming with servants, and, of +course, she will be awfully disagreeable to her. +I took a double room, but I intended to be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span> +alone. Now, however, I shall ask one of the +professors to allow Margaret to come in with +me. The sooner that is done, the better for +all concerned. I wonder to whom I had +better go?”</p> + +<p>“Go to Professor Newton,” said Dolly +promptly, “and take Miss Sutherland with +you. She is Professor Newton’s niece, and +can help you out, if you need any assistance, +but I do not suppose you will.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks for the suggestion. I shall get +the permission first, but possibly Margaret +will not care to room with me after the hornet’s +nest I have raised. I wonder, Miss Alden, if +you would ask her to come here while Miss +Sutherland and I are interviewing Professor +Newton?”</p> + +<p>“I shall be very glad to do so. It will be +much better to have your talk here, than in +her room, where Abby Dunbar would be +liable to interrupt you at any moment. And, +Miss Van Gerder, do not feel too conscience-stricken +over your inadvertence. For my +part, I believe that Margaret will be glad, +after the first fuss is over. No one, then, can +accuse her of sailing under false colors. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span> +Everything will be perfectly open and aboveboard.”</p> + +<p>“It is good of you to say so, but I am +sure that your room-mate does not hold that +opinion. At least, I made no mention of +her father. I presume that would be a still +harder thing for Miss Dunbar to overlook.”</p> + +<p>“I think,” said Dolly persistently, “that +it would have been better for all concerned, +if you had said that Mr. Hamilton was your +uncle’s coachman. Then everything would +have been told at once, and Margaret would +have no future disclosures to dread.”</p> + +<p>“I think I was sufficiently stupid as it +was;” and then Mary and Miss Van Gerder +went off to see Professor Newton, while +Dolly went in search of Miss Hamilton.</p> + +<p>She did not fancy the errand much, for she +had a premonition that Miss Dunbar might +also be in the room, and that a scene would +be inevitable. And she was not wrong.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span><a id='link_13'></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>As</span> she drew near Margaret’s room, she +caught the sound of excited voices. Abby +Dunbar’s tones reached her, high-pitched and +shrill.</p> + +<p>“You have been a fraud, nothing but a +fraud, from beginning to end. You have +imposed upon us all. There is no use trying +to carry it off with such a high hand! You +led us all to suppose that your people were +respectable, and so we took you in, and +now it seems that your mother was nothing +but a servant, and–”</p> + +<p>“And perhaps you would also like to know +(as you evidently are not aware of the fact +as yet), that my father was a coachman. I +am exceedingly proud of them both, and–”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see how you dare to stand there +and face us! Let me tell you one thing, +though–”</p> + +<p>Dolly ran hastily down the hall. She +could stand it no longer. Her indignation +burned hotly for Margaret. Why were girls +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span> +so much narrower than boys? Rob Steele +had been a coachman and errand-boy, and +even a bootblack. He did not hesitate to +say so; and yet, with possibly a very few +exceptions, none of the students at Harvard +treated him with any the less respect for it. +But Margaret–</p> + +<p>Dolly paused in the doorway, almost breathless. +“Oh, Margaret, we are going to have +a little impromptu tea in my room–Miss +Van Gerder, and a couple of others. I have +been sent for you. Please come!”</p> + +<p>“You do not know that you are inviting +the daughter of a coachman and a housekeeper, +Miss Alden. It is time for people to +know exactly who and what our class president +is. She has been sailing under false +colors long enough.”</p> + +<p>Margaret stood pale and cold during this +tirade. The room was full of sophomores–Abby +Dunbar’s sympathizers, as was very +evident.</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes,” said Dolly carelessly, “of +course I’ve known all about Miss Hamilton’s +parents since early in our freshman year, +but I didn’t see what difference it made. Are +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span> +you going to ask us all to write out our ancestral +history for your benefit? I’m afraid +that we are too good republicans here to do +that for you. By the way, Margaret, Miss +Van Gerder is going to beg permission of +Professor Newton for you to room with her. +In fact, she has gone to her now, and she wants +to coax you into the plan.”</p> + +<p>Dolly threw this little bombshell with +secret glee. If Miss Van Gerder intended +taking Margaret up, how could these girls, with +not a tithe of her wealth or standing, urge +their petty reasons for snubbing Margaret?</p> + +<p>She carried her off before there was time +for further controversy. There should be no +more ill words said than she could help. +It is hard to unsay harsh things. It is +much better to prevent their being uttered +at all. There would doubtless be enough +said at best, but Dolly felt that her prompt +action had probably prevented a few bitter +flings anyway. At the door of her room +Margaret detained her. Dolly had chattered +all of the way down the hall. Margaret +had not uttered a word. Now she looked +steadily at Dolly.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span>“Are you not laboring under some delusion +or excitement? I had better give you the +details of our family history before I go in.”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense! I have known your history, +as I said, since the Christmas holidays. +What does it matter? Come in, and Beth +shall make tea for us.”</p> + +<p>“But do tell me how you knew.”</p> + +<p>“I will tell you everything, only come in,” +and Dolly gave her a good-natured push into +the room where the others were waiting for +them, for Mary and Miss Van Gerder had +already returned with permission for Margaret +to change rooms, if she desired.</p> + +<p>“I sincerely hope that you do desire, for +I really want you, Margaret.”</p> + +<p>“You are very good, Miss Van Gerder.”</p> + +<p>“Now stop right there, Margaret. Whether +you room with me or not, you shall not be +formal. My name is Constance, and you +know it very well.”</p> + +<p>“I never called you by it,” said Margaret +steadily.</p> + +<p>“I hope you will now. Please don’t spoil +the entire year for me. If you will consent +to share my rooms, and let me make up for +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span> +my thoughtlessness in so far as I may, you +will be doing me a great favor.”</p> + +<p>“I do not see why you should not have said +what you did; it was the truth, and there +was no reason why it should not have been +told. You must not feel that you owe me +any reparation. That is not true. So far +as I am concerned, while the present moment +may be a little disagreeable in many respects, +I cannot altogether regret what has occurred. +Mother, naturally, will feel sorry, but there +cannot be further disclosures, for I filled in, +for Miss Dunbar’s benefit, all the details that +you had omitted. She knows that Father +was your uncle’s coachman, and–”</p> + +<p>“And he was a good one, and we all liked +him. What a tempest in a teapot this is! +Now be sensible. You are going to be my +room-mate as a favor to me. I beg it. That +is settled. I shall see that Patrick comes and +moves your trunks this afternoon, and as soon +as we have had some of Miss Newby’s tea, +we are all going over to your room to help +you carry the lighter things. There is no +need to bother packing those.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not,” said Beth readily. “We +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span> +shall be delighted to help you. With five +of us at work, we shall have everything +moved in half an hour.”</p> + +<p>Margaret looked only half-satisfied. She +had pride, too. If Constance Van Gerder was +taking her in a spirit of self-sacrifice, she had +no intention of becoming her room-mate. +Things would not be pleasant, but she could +stand it, even if she <i>were</i> ostracized.</p> + +<p>But Constance read her easily, and without +referring again to the subject, she soothed +her wounded pride and contrived to let her +know that she was actually wanted.</p> + +<p>A little later they all started for Margaret’s +room to aid her in the “moving process.” +The room was still filled with Abby Dunbar’s +friends, and they were evidently much excited.</p> + +<p>Constance included them all in the cool +little nod that she gave on entering. “You +must not bear malice against me, Miss Dunbar, +for stealing your room-mate. I did not +know that she was at Westover, so I made +arrangements to room alone, but now I must +put in my claim. My right is the prior one, +for I have known her so much longer.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span>Constance had been talking against time. +She wanted Margaret to leave the room with +her load of small articles. There was just +one word that she intended saying to these +girls on the subject they were discussing; then +she intended to have the matter closed forever, +so far as she was concerned.</p> + +<p>Abby Dunbar herself gave the opportunity +for the desired remark, just as Margaret passed +from the room.</p> + +<p>“Are you actually in earnest? I did not +believe you could mean it! Have you asked +her to room with you? Of course, we understand +that you did it in a charitable spirit, +and because you are sorry for her position +here, since she has been found out, but–”</p> + +<p>“Excuse my interrupting you. I have +asked Miss Hamilton to room with me because +her companionship will be a pleasure. +I had to coax rather hard before she would +consent. There is just one other thing to +be said. Our sitting-room is common property, +and I shall never care to see anyone +there who is at all discourteous to Margaret!”</p> + +<p>With that she turned away and picked up +a pile of Margaret’s books. She had made +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span> +a telling speech and she knew it. Constance +could not be unaware of the influence she +exerted socially, by means of her mere name. +The girls would not wish to shut themselves +out from all the privileges of her room, and +there would be no more open acts of aggression +so far as Margaret was concerned. Of that +Constance felt assured. At the same time it +was certain that Margaret would be subjected +to many petty slights and snubs and +wounds. But she would have to endure +those, and her nature was too fine to allow +of her growing bitter because of them.</p> + +<p>There was gossip and much quiet talk, but +Constance Van Gerder’s determined stand +put an end to open insults and recriminations. +Two days later, there was another +subject for gossip, also, for Margery Ainsworth +had been readmitted to college on +“probation.” Such a thing had rarely been +known before, and the stigma of disgrace +attaching to such students as were on “probation” +was great. It was understood that +they were under special surveillance, and the +many privileges accorded other students +were withheld from them. Of course, Margery +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span> +had come back as a freshman. The +girls had heard that Mr. Ainsworth was intensely +angry with Margery, and had declared +that she must stay at Westover until she +graduated, if it took a hundred years. She +was to room with a freshman, and, judging +from her expression, she had come back reluctantly +and rebelliously. Dolly and Beth +talked it over, and wondered what good end +Mr. Ainsworth could hope to effect by sending +her to college, when she was in such an +obstinate frame of mind.</p> + +<p>“At least, she has diverted the attention of +the girls from Margaret, and, Beth, I like +her more than I ever supposed I could. +Didn’t she preside with dignity at our class +meeting last evening, though? No one would +ever have guessed how some of the girls +stormed at her only a few days ago.”</p> + +<p>“’Tis fortunate that she has Constance +Van Gerder as a loyal friend. To tell the +truth, I think that she is relieved now. +There is nothing for her to hide or cover up. +We must see Constance about the class elections, +though. They will come in two days, +and I am positive that Abby Dunbar will try +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span> +to prevent Margaret’s being elected chairman +of the executive committee. That is a position +which has always been given to the retiring +president, and certainly Margaret has done +enough for our class to deserve the honor. +It would be a shame to slight her.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it would. Constance is in her room +now, I think, and Margaret will be at the +literature lecture. Come, we will see her at +once.”</p> + +<p>Constance was very glad to promise her +help to the girls, and the work commenced +that day in earnest. They soon found that +Abby and her particular coterie had been hard +at work for some little time, but Margaret’s +supporters labored with a will, and went to +their class meeting with hopeful hearts.</p> + +<p>“I am anxious about two offices,” Dolly +confessed to Miss Van Gerder as she walked +down the hall toward the room in which +the meeting would be held. “I want to see +Beth elected president, and I want Margaret +made chairman of the executive committee.” +Some way, rather to their own astonishment, +Beth and Dolly found themselves on very +intimate terms with Miss Van Gerder. The +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span> +three, with Margaret, made a very congenial +quartette.</p> + +<p>Mary Sutherland felt at a disadvantage before +this girl, whose father’s name was a +world-wide synonym for wealth. She was +never at her best when Constance was present. +She utterly refused to go to her room, +and Dolly finally lost all patience with her.</p> + +<p>“You must have a very low opinion of yourself, +Mary Sutherland, if you think that a +few dollars are worth more than you are. +Can’t you see what kind of a girl Constance +Van Gerder is? Of course, she knows that +she is immensely rich, but she is not silly. She +doesn’t dress extravagantly, or load herself +with jewelry. In fact, there are a dozen girls +here, who spend more on dress in the course of +a year than she does. Her gowns fit to perfection, +and they are always made in good taste, +but she doesn’t care for such things. She is +forever doing quiet, lovely things for other +people. Your aunt told me that she thought +Miss Van Gerder would take up college settlement +work. Whether she does or not, she +will not be a useless butterfly of fashion.”</p> + +<p>“There is no use my trying to know her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span> +better. We have nothing in common. I +am poor and she is tremendously rich.”</p> + +<p>“You mean that you are vilely proud, +Mary Sutherland. If you were not so proud, +you would see how gracious and lovely Constance +Van Gerder is. It is just as much a +crime for a poor person to be proud as for a +rich one. Why can’t you be yourself, and +enjoy Constance and her bright ways as Beth +and I do?”</p> + +<p>But Mary refused to listen to reason, +and drew more and more into her shell. +College had only been in session a short time +now, but it was evident that Mary was +going to isolate herself, despite all that +Dolly and Beth could say, and despite Dolly’s +exasperated appeals to Professor Newton. +There was a strong vein of stubbornness in +Mary, and much as she loved her aunt, +she declined to argue this matter with her. +“The girls had been good to her last year, +because Dolly had been compelled to room +with her, but she was not their kind, anyway, +and she wasn’t going to force herself in where +she was not wanted.”</p> + +<p>Professor Newton and the girls had given +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span> +up the effort in despair, and Mary was left +to gang her ain gait. The sophomore elections +had been deferred a little for one reason +and another, and it was now the end of the +third week.</p> + +<p>If Margaret’s friends had worked hard in +her behalf, the opposition had been working +hard, also, and before the meeting had advanced +far, Dolly began to lose heart.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span><a id='link_14'></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>When</span> things were fairly under way, Dolly +nominated Beth for the presidency. Half +a dozen other nominations were made, but +the result was very satisfactory to Beth’s +friends, as she was elected by a large majority.</p> + +<p>Constance was made vice-president without +opposition, and the rest of the balloting +went smoothly enough until the executive +committee was reached. Then Constance +made her first little speech, nominating +Margaret for the chairmanship, and putting +forcibly before the class, the good work that +she had done as president, and “for which,” +Constance concluded with significant emphasis, +“we want, most assuredly, to show +our gratitude now, in the only way possible.”</p> + +<p>Abby Dunbar was immediately nominated +by Grace Chisholm, and then, as no other +names were mentioned, the balloting proceeded.</p> + +<p>Beth felt more nervous over this, than +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span> +she had when her own name was up for +the presidency. Constance had done her best, +and there was no doubting her influence; +still, the balloting was secret, and might not +some of the girls leave Constance under the +impression that they would vote for Margaret, +and now, when the time had come +for the voting, cast their ballots for Abby +Dunbar? Constance would not be able to +tell what girls had kept faith with her, and +what ones had not.</p> + +<p>“I would never do for a politician,” Beth +confided to Dolly in a whisper. “I am too +nervous and excitable; see how cool Constance +is, and Margaret, too.”</p> + +<p>“Yet Margaret will feel it bitterly, if she +is defeated under these circumstances; and +as a class we ought to be ashamed of it if +she <i>be</i> defeated, for it will be an open acknowledgment +of the fact that we care more +for dollars and cents, than we do for genuine +worth and ability. I shall be ashamed of +the sophomores if Margaret is not elected.”</p> + +<p>The class had lost some of its members, +and had gained several new ones, so that at +this time it numbered an even three hundred. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span> +Even Margaret, with all her self-control, began +to show the strain before the tellers appeared.</p> + +<p>The chairman was an enthusiastic admirer +of Margaret, and her voice vibrated triumphantly +as she tried to announce in a perfectly +calm tone, the result of the voting:</p> + +<table style='margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto' summary='votes'> +<tr><td style='padding-right:3em'>Margaret Hamilton</td><td align='right'>153</td><td align='center'>votes.</td></tr> +<tr><td>Abby Dunbar</td><td align='right'>147</td><td align='center'>votes.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>There was a moment of utter silence, then +Constance started the applause which grew +and grew until it became an actual uproar. +Even those who had voted against Margaret, +now, with few exceptions, joined in the applause, +for Constance’s keen eyes were sweeping +the room, and not a girl present wished +to be ranged in open opposition to her. It +was she, and she alone, who had carried the +day for Margaret.</p> + +<p>Margaret realized the fact, and, while she +was grateful, she felt stung and hurt. Constance +found her in tears when she went to +their room sometime after the meeting +had dispersed. Tears, with Margaret, were +a rare thing. Constance knew what they +meant this time, although she affected not to.</p> + +<p>“You see, Margaret, that you were elected, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span> +despite your declaration that you would not +be. Aren’t you ashamed of the little faith +you had in your friends?”</p> + +<p>“It was your friends who elected me, +Constance, not mine. I am in no danger of +making any mistake on that point. Do you +suppose that I do not know how you have been +working for me?”</p> + +<p>“What of that?”</p> + +<p>“If you had been as poor as I, how much +influence would you have had? I am not +ungrateful to you–please do not think that–but +I have been treated to such a succession +of slights all of my life, that I cannot help +feeling a wee bit bitter. I was not elected +tonight because of any gratitude or liking +that the girls have for me, but merely because +you–Constance Van Gerder, who will one +day be one of the richest women in this +country–have chosen to befriend me, and so +asked those girls to vote for me. If it were +not a cowardly thing to do, I should go away +from here to some other college. I would +take care to proclaim my full history the very +first day I was there, and I would not attempt +to make a single friend.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span>“That would be a cowardly thing to +do. Next year neither Abby Dunbar nor +Grace Chisholm will be here. They will +never manage to get through the sophomore +work. They are the only ones who are your +active enemies, and they are such, merely +through spite and jealousy. You are a good +student, Meg; do your best for your mother’s +sake and for mine, too. I want you to carry +off some honors on Commencement Day.”</p> + +<p>“I will do my best for you; you have done +so much for me that I could not refuse to try, +at least. I think I shall get permission to +run down and see my mother for an hour. +Professor Newton may think it too late to go, +but I would like to tell Mother that I was +elected. I should not have let you propose +my name at all, if it had not been for her.”</p> + +<p>“Then you would have been a big simpleton. +I am positive, Meg, that Professor Newton +will not listen to your going out tonight, but +you can telephone to your mother. Will not +that do?”</p> + +<p>“And have Abby Dunbar and all the other +girls hear me? I couldn’t possibly. If the +telephone were not just inside the reception +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span> +room where the entire college can hear what +is said, I might do that.”</p> + +<p>“I see. Don’t trouble yourself. It is out +of the question for you to go to town tonight +at this hour. Professor Newton would consider +you crazy to ask, but I can appreciate +your mother’s anxiety, and I am going to +telephone to her. It will give me great +pleasure to do this, and the more of Abby’s +friends that are within hearing, the better.”</p> + +<p>“You are very kind, but–”</p> + +<p>Constance had gone unceremoniously, and +Margaret’s expostulation was cut short.</p> + +<p>As Constance had predicted, the little +tempest created by the revelation of Margaret’s +family history soon died down. Of course, +it was only Constance’s strong influence +which brought about this result; none of the +girls wished to cut themselves off absolutely +from her acquaintance, and Constance made +it very plain that those who showed the least +discourtesy to Margaret were no friends of +hers.</p> + +<p>Poor Mrs. Hamilton had been almost heartbroken +when she first learned of Margaret’s +troubles, but Margaret herself had made as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span> +light as possible of them, and the fact that +she was now Constance’s room-mate, reconciled +Mrs. Hamilton to everything.</p> + +<p>The sophomore year was generally conceded +by both the students and the faculty, +to be the hardest year at Westover College. +While the girls whom we know managed to +have some good times in a quiet way, they +found themselves, for the most part, kept +very busy.</p> + +<p>Mary Sutherland drew more and more into +her shell, as Beth and Dolly grew more intimate +with Margaret and Constance. Dolly +complained of it repeatedly to Professor +Newton. “Mary acts as if we did not have +love enough to go around. Just as if Beth +and I couldn’t care for her now, because +we like Margaret and Constance Van Gerder. +I wonder if she thinks that love is measured +out by the quart, Professor Newton, +and that Beth and I have exhausted our +supply?”</p> + +<p>“You must be patient with my stubborn +little niece, Dolly dear; she is her own worst +enemy. Neither you nor I can say anything +to her now. She is wilfully losing lots of +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span> +enjoyment out of these college days. She +has made no new friendships, for she thinks +too much of you and Beth to do that. In +truth, she is jealous and unreasonable, but +she fails to see it. She might as well demand +that God’s blessed sunshine shall illumine +only a few places. Some things grow by +the using. Our power of loving is one of +those things, Dolly. God’s love reaches all +the infinity of His creatures, and yet its +depths are boundless. It is immeasurable. +Sometime Mary will learn this.”</p> + +<p>At Thanksgiving time Dolly carried Mary +off to her own home. Beth could not be +persuaded to stop this time. She thought of +last year, when she had had no desire to go +home at all, and could not but marvel at the +difference in her feelings now. In truth, +Beth was making up for all those years of +repression and coldness, by the wealth of +love which she lavished upon her own people. +And they returned it a thousandfold. Dearly +as Mrs. Newby loved her own dainty little +Nell, she knew that this child was no dearer +to her than was Beth.</p> + +<p>Mary had gone home with Dolly half under +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span> +protest, but Dolly would listen to no excuses, +and Professor Newton urged her so strongly +to accept the invitation, that Mary finally +went. Dolly felt confident that this brief +visit would serve to clear away the clouds that +had come between them; but in this she +was disappointed. Some way she saw little +of Mary, after all. Did Fred monopolize +Mary’s society–the two were certainly together +a great deal–or, had she enjoyed +Dick Martin’s indolent witticisms and quiet +humor so much that she had neglected Mary? +She felt rather uneasy about it, and promised +herself to atone at the Christmas holidays. +But when the Christmas holidays came, there +were new plans for all.</p> + +<p>Margaret was to go home with Constance +for the entire vacation. She had demurred +about leaving her mother, but Mrs. Hamilton +had insisted strongly that she should go for the +whole time. “It is not as if you were where I +could not see you every day, dear. Of course, +I would love to have you with me, but just +now I would much rather have you visit +Miss Van Gerder.” And Margaret, seeing +that her mother really meant what she said, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span> +yielded the point, and went home with +Constance.</p> + +<p>There was to be a house party at Constance’s +for the last week of the vacation. Dolly and +Beth were invited as well as Hope Brereton +and Hazel Browne.</p> + +<p>“I don’t know Miss Sutherland well enough +to ask her to be of our party,” Constance said +to Dolly. “She is so far away from home +that I would like to ask her if I felt better +acquainted. I don’t see how you ever came +to know her. She absolutely repels all advances.”</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed, although she was inwardly +provoked with Mary. What good times she +was cheating herself of! Could she not +recognize genuine goodness when she saw it? +What made Mary so blind and obtuse in +these days? “Mary is just like a chestnut-burr +on the outside,” she replied now to +Constance. “Sometime she will get tired of +pricking all of her friends, and then everyone +will see what a genuine heart of gold she +has.”</p> + +<p>“I hope she will shed the burr soon, for her +own sake. People do not like to get stung +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span> +and pricked when they approach her in a +friendly manner.”</p> + +<p>“I have preached until I am tired. We +must leave her alone now. I am going to +take her home with me, and Mother intends +keeping her after I go on to your house. She +is quite in love with Mother, and is as nearly +demonstrative with her, as it is possible for +Mary to be with anyone. We shall be a very +congenial party at your house, Constance. +You always do manage to get together people +that suit.”</p> + +<p>“I am afraid that you will take back that +remark when you know of one more invitation +that I want to give today.”</p> + +<p>“What in the world do you mean?”</p> + +<p>“Don’t be stunned, but I want to have +Margery Ainsworth. Shall I?”</p> + +<p>“The idea of asking us whom you shall invite +to your own home! How absurd!”</p> + +<p>“But you don’t like Margery.”</p> + +<p>“I hadn’t known that you did either,” +Dolly said frankly.</p> + +<p>“I have felt a little sorry for her lately. +We have seen more or less of each other all +our lives; we both live in New York, and as +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span> +children we went to the same kindergarten, +and we have seen each other with some +frequency during all the in-between years. +Just now Margery is not having an easy time. +Instead of being a junior, as she would have +been in the ordinary course of events, she +is only a freshman, but I have learned that +she is doing extra work and has taken some +extra examinations. She hopes to come +into our class as a full sophomore after +Christmas.”</p> + +<p>“I wonder what has roused her so. She +was never a student in any sense of the +word, last year.”</p> + +<p>“She knows that her father is earnest in +his determination to have her complete her +course here, and so she is resolved to get +through as quickly as possible. She has lost +one year, but there is no reason why she +should lose two. She is discovering unsuspected +capabilities for study in herself; you +must have noticed that she takes no recreation +and has no friends. She is settling down +into a mere ‘grind.’”</p> + +<p>“Margery Ainsworth, of all people!”</p> + +<p>“It is strange. She does not love study +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span> +any better than she once did, but she has an +indomitable perseverance when her will is +aroused. Just now she is determined to get +through college as soon as possible, and to +maintain a good standing. I cannot see why +Mr. Ainsworth is so resolved that she shall +graduate from here. She is an only child, +and her mother is an invalid. He must have +some weighty reason for sending her off, +when she would be such a comfort to her +mother.”</p> + +<p>“It must hurt her pride fearfully to be +under constant supervision, not to be able to +go where other girls go, and to feel that she +is not trusted.”</p> + +<p>“It is hard, most certainly, but Margery +brought all that on herself. One cannot +do wrong without meeting the penalties for +it, in some way or other, even in this life. +But if she succeeds in making the sophomore +class, she will come into it with a clean page +turned. I happen to know that the faculty +means to give her a chance to wipe out old +scores.”</p> + +<p>“And you want to help the girl? Well, +you don’t suppose that any of the rest of us +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span> +would be so mean-spirited as to make objections? +If you think that, you had better +withdraw our invitations.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t talk nonsense, my dearest Dolly,” +Constance said indolently. “I am too fatigued +to argue with you.”</p> + +<p>“Then come and have a walk, Con. Beth is +working away at some problem in her advanced +trigonometry that it would make me +ill even to read over. I have come to have an +added respect for Beth this year, when I see +how deliberately she picks out all the mathematical +courses. It would not be possible for +me to do that. It tasks all of my mathematical +resources just to keep account of my own +allowance.”</p> + +<p>Con laughed. “You excel Beth in some +other things, so that you may consider yourself +even. By the way where is Margaret? +I would like her to go with us.”</p> + +<p>“We might look into the library. She may +be there,” and Dolly made a mental note of +Constance’s unfailing watchfulness and care +for her room-mate.</p> + +<p>As they drew near to the library, it became +evident that Margaret <i>was</i> there. The other +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span> +occupants of the room were Abby Dunbar +and her immediate coterie of half a dozen +friends. For the most part, Abby had preserved +a haughty coldness toward Margaret, +although she indulged in petty meannesses +and flings at her, whenever she imagined that +she could do it without Constance’s knowledge. +She had no intention of cutting herself +off absolutely from Miss Van Gerder’s +acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Today, however, she had just chanced to +learn of the house-party at Constance’s home. +She was not invited, and Margaret was! +She was so full of wrath and indignation, +that she forgot her usual caution. She +commenced talking to her friends in a tone +which would easily reach Margaret, and +she contrived to put all the bottled up +venom of the past term into her words. +To all appearances Margaret heard not a +syllable.</p> + +<p>Just as Constance and Dolly approached +the library, Abby turned, not seeing them, +addressing a remark directly to Margaret.</p> + +<p>Margaret turned toward her, a quiet scorn +in her brown eyes. “Miss Dunbar, if you +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span> +were unaware of some things when you invited +me to your house, we are certainly +quits, for I have since learned facts concerning +your family which would have +prevented my ever putting a foot inside +your house had I known them before.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span><a id='link_15'></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>She</span> looked steadily at her classmate for a +moment. Constance and Dolly had paused +in the doorway. Margaret did not need their +assistance. Something in Margaret’s tone +made Abby recoil with a sudden, inexplicable +apprehension. Yet, after all, what could +that girl say to hurt her–Abby Dunbar?</p> + +<p>“I believe that by this time you are all +rather well posted on my family history. +Consequently you know that my father was +a West Point cadet, and but for a useless +accident, caused by a drunken acquaintance, +he would, in all probability, be alive today, +and be an officer in the regular army. His +health was ruined, his hopes in life destroyed, +and himself and my mother forced into +menial positions, because an acquaintance +to whose home he had been invited, was too +drunk to manage a yacht, and too drunk, also, +to let anyone else take the management in +his place. The boat capsized, as you know. +The only person injured was my father. I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span> +had rather today,” and Margaret’s voice rang +out clear and strong, “be his daughter–the +daughter of an honest servant–than be what +you are–the daughter of a man whose drunken +folly wrecked the life of as good and noble a +father as ever lived.”</p> + +<p>There was a silence that made itself felt. +“How dare you? It is not true! you know +it is not true!”</p> + +<p>“I am not in the habit of telling falsehoods +or of making statements about which I am +not sure. Suppose you ask your father about +the matter? He will, perhaps, enjoy telling +you of it. Until a week ago, neither my +mother nor I knew who your father was. +You may be sure that, if I had known, there +would have been no inducement strong enough +to take me inside your home.”</p> + +<p>Margaret turned to leave the library, and +all her auditors became aware then, that +Constance and Dolly had been standing in the +doorway. Constance spoke a few low words +to Margaret, took her arm, and, with Dolly +following, walked down the hall.</p> + +<p>Abby watched them a moment, and then +burst into a flood of tears. In her heart she +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span> +had a terrible conviction that Margaret’s +story was true. She must write and ask, +not her father, of course, but her older +brother.</p> + +<p>She remembered what a dread her father +had of yachts, and how fearful he had been lest +her brother should come to use liquor as freely +and as carelessly as many college boys do. +He was a charitable man–very charitable, +and what was it that she had once heard him +say, when her mother had mildly remonstrated +against a piece of benevolence that seemed +actually prodigal in its lavishness? Surely +he had said something to the effect that there +was one debt which he could never hope to +pay, now, in this life, and that he must +atone, if possible, in other directions. Her +mother had seemed to understand, and had +said no more.</p> + +<p>She must write to her brother that night, +and tell him the whole story; no, not +quite all. She need not say anything about +her recent treatment of Margaret, for she +had an instinctive feeling that Raymond +would disapprove her conduct in emphatic +terms.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>She hurried to her room with a few petulant +words to her friends, and scribbled off a +lengthy and not over-coherent letter to her +brother.</p> + +<p>She waited for the reply anxiously. It +came in an unexpected form. There was a +note from her brother, to be sure, but her +own letter he had handed directly to their +father, and the answer was from Mr. Dunbar. +Margaret’s story was true. Hamilton was +not an uncommon name by any means, and +he had never surmised, when he talked with +his daughter’s friend during the past summer, +that she was in any way related to the man +whose life he had practically ruined.</p> + +<p>Hamilton had disappeared from West Point; +he had tried to trace him in vain, for he had +been told by the congressman to whom +Hamilton owed his appointment, that the lad +was friendless and penniless. He had left no +stone unturned in his search, but the result +had been fruitless. It was his fault, alone, +that Margaret’s father had been forced into +such a humble position in life. Hamilton +had possessed the brains and power to make +himself a name in the army; but all of his tastes +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span> +ran in that one direction, and when he found +himself forced to leave West Point, there was +practically nothing to which he could turn. +He was glad to learn that Mr. Worthington +had been generous to the Hamiltons in his +will, and he was also glad that his own +daughter had acted the part of a friend toward +Margaret. It was something for which +he felt peculiarly grateful. He wanted Abby +to be sure and bring both Margaret and her +mother home for the coming holidays. He was +writing to them by the same post, and Abby +must add her persuasions to his.</p> + +<p>The letter made Abby most uncomfortable. +Why had she written home anything +about Margaret? During the last days of +school, she watched anxiously to see if either +Margaret or Constance would broach the +subject. Nothing was said, and Abby was +compelled to wait until she reached home to +learn that her father’s invitation had been +briefly declined, Margaret stating that she had +already accepted an invitation for the holiday +season, and that her mother did not feel equal +to going among strangers alone. No word +of comment was offered further, though Abby +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span> +knew that her father had written a long letter +full of remorse and grief.</p> + +<p>They discussed it the evening after Abby’s +return. “I am going to see Miss Hamilton in +New York next week,” Ray announced decidedly. +“That letter does not sound like +her one bit. You can’t go, Pater, because +of that unlucky fall you got on Wednesday, +but you may trust me not to make a botch +of the affair. I was charmed with Miss +Hamilton last summer, but that letter is +evidently written under some sort of constraint. +It is no reply to yours.”</p> + +<p>“I cannot blame her in the least, Ray, for +feeling bitter toward me.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not,” Raymond said regretfully. +“Still I intend to see her. You have no objections, +Father?”</p> + +<p>“No. The matter cannot drop here, and for +the present I am unfortunately tied to the +house.”</p> + +<p>“I would not go if I were you, Raymond,” +Abby interposed. “It will give her a chance +to snub us.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand you, Abby; I thought +that you and Miss Hamilton were warm +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span> +friends. You haven’t gushed about her as +much this term as formerly, but I did not +know that you had quarreled.”</p> + +<p>“We are not as good friends as we were. I +am dreadfully disappointed in her. She is +not the girl I had supposed her.”</p> + +<p>“It is rather odd that you didn’t tell us +something about this in your letters. Miss +Hamilton seems to be good enough for +Miss Van Gerder, even if she is not for you. +I intend to see her, Abby, and that is all +there is to the matter.”</p> + +<p>It was with no comfortable feelings that +Abby saw him depart for New York on +the next Tuesday. Thursday brought her a +short note from him.</p> + +<div class='bquote'> +<p>I don’t wonder in the least that you objected to my +coming here. Miss Van Gerder has given me the history +of the past term. I do not feel proud of the part +my sister played. Father and I will have hard work +undoing the mischief you have wrought.    R. D.</p> +</div> <!-- block quote --> + +<p>That was all that Abby heard directly, but +she knew that her father and Ray had vainly +tried to get Margaret’s promise to spend +the Easter recess with them. No allusion +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span> +was made to the matter when the girls +were back at school once more. Abby heard +Constance’s friends talking of the gay time +they had had, and she more than half envied +them. Dolly seemed brimming over with +fun and spirits. She had had a thoroughly +enjoyable time at home and afterward in +New York. Dick Martin had run down for +several days, and Fred had called on New +Year’s. Constance was an ideal hostess. +Mary had spent the time at Dolly’s home, +and had joined Dolly on her return to college. +Mrs. Alden had vainly tried to accomplish +some good by ridiculing Mary’s feeling toward +Constance Van Gerder. She owned +to Dolly that she had effected nothing. “I +think that one or two caustic remarks Fred +made did more good than all my lengthy +talks.”</p> + +<p>But, to all appearances, Fred had not accomplished +much, either, for Mary refused to +go walking with the girls when Constance was +to be of the party, and she would not visit +in their rooms save at times when she knew +that Constance had a recitation. She was +not going to be patronized, she declared, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span> +Dolly vowed in disgust that she would never +mention the subject again.</p> + +<p>Nothing of any special interest happened +through the next two terms. The four girls +were growing to be extremely popular. Beth +made a capital president, and the little quartette +composed of herself, Dolly, Margaret +and Constance were coming to be generally +known as the “diggers.” There were students +more bright than they, perhaps, in +some particular branches, but there were no +harder workers, and none who were more +reliable.</p> + +<p>Beth, to her extreme disappointment, had +not been allowed to go home at Easter time, +for Nell was suffering from an attack of +scarlet fever. She had implored her mother +to let her go anyway, but Mrs. Newby had +written a most decided and positive negative. +“I am anxious and troubled about one +daughter now, dear, I cannot stand the +thought that another one is exposed to danger, +too. We are strictly quarantined, and if you +came, you could not return to college for +several weeks. We have a good trained nurse, +and Nell’s case is not severe. Be patient, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span> +Beth, and do not ask to come. It is such +a relief to know that you are safe.”</p> + +<p>Beth had resolved to stay at the college +during the short Easter recess–she was not +good company for anyone, she declared–but +Dolly carried her off despite her protests. +Mary stayed with her aunt, and Constance +took both Margaret and her mother home +this time. Mr. Dunbar had come, himself, to +see Margaret, but she would make no promises. +Raymond had told his father something +of Abby’s treatment of her room-mate, after +she had become aware of Margaret’s lack of +social position.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dunbar rarely exercised any parental +authority; Abby had always found him indulgent +and kind. On this occasion he had +been more stern than Abby had believed it +possible for him to be. He had insisted upon +an apology being made to Margaret, and +Abby dared not refuse. It had been a farce, +however, for she had offered her apologies +under compulsion. At present the relations +between her and the “diggers” were coldly +civil. Abby would not return to college the +next year. She was a poor student, and had +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span> +cared more for the fun of college life than for +the knowledge that she might acquire. It +was already arranged that she should travel +abroad with a maiden aunt of her mother’s.</p> + +<p>Nell had recovered from her attack of scarlet +fever, but Hugh and Roy had both come +down with it. They were all convalescent +by Commencement time, but the family +physician was anxious for a change of air for +them all. So, it had been decided that they +should again spend the hot weather among the +Thousand Isles, as all three of the children +were eager to go there.</p> + +<p>Mr. Alden had talked of going to the +seashore, but he found both Fred and Dolly +so energetically opposed to the project, +that they, too, went back to their cottage +at the Thousand Isles. Dick Martin spent +a couple of weeks with Fred, and Rob Steele +was occasionally sent there on some important +errand by Mr. Newby, in whose office +he was now reading law. Mr. Newby vibrated +between his office and the Islands, +and Rob Steele was sent back and forth +with papers that needed signing or personal +revision.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span>“Father could really get the papers by +mail quite as well, I think, Mother,” Beth +said one evening when the two were having +a comfortable talk.</p> + +<p>“I think so myself, but he probably wants +to give the boy a little breathing space. +’Tis rather hot in the city, and a few days +here will do him good.”</p> + +<p>“Father is very kind,” Beth said demurely, +and her stepmother, well as she had come +to know Beth, could not tell whether she +was particularly pleased or not at Rob’s +coming.</p> + +<p>The children gained strength slowly during +the summer, but when September came at +last, they were brown as nuts and as healthy +as country children.</p> + +<p>Fred and his friends were seniors at Harvard +now. Their plans for the future were well +formulated. To his father’s disappointment, +Fred evinced no liking for the law. His tastes +ran toward electrical engineering, and with +a sigh Mr. Alden resigned all hopes of having +his son succeed him in business.</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i8'></a><img src='images/illus-206.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +“Father could really get the papers by mail quite as well, I think, Mother.” +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span>Dick Martin had determined to be a doctor; +there was no special need for him to work at +all, but despite his surface indolence, there was +no actual laziness about him, and he wanted +to do a man’s work in the world. He told +Dolly of his plans that summer. He was rich +enough not to need any income from his +profession, and while he would not turn +away rich patients, he intended to practice +among the poor almost exclusively. He would +charge as little as possible; less even than +the medicines would cost; but, except in +cases of really abject poverty, he thought it +best to charge a mite, so as not to pauperize +his patients and make them lose their self-respect.</p> + +<p>“I’ve thought about this matter considerably. +It seems to me that the physicians +who do the most among the poor, are the +ones who are not well off themselves, and +who cannot afford either the time or the +means for such a practice. The rich fellows +generally have a practice among their own +class, and they do not need the fees at all. I +do not like to give money outright, except +in rare cases, but I can give my services when +I become qualified; if I do not charge them +the same fees that I shall my richer patients, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span> +they will never know the difference. I mean +to provide the medicines myself, and to fill +my own prescriptions. I can do it more +cheaply, and then I shall be sure that they +get the stuff. Half of the time the poor have +no money with which to have prescriptions +filled. What do you think of the plan?”</p> + +<p>Dolly considered it a noble plan and was +not backward in saying so. Beth thought +that Dick seemed much more gratified by +Dolly’s approbation than by her own, which +was quite as frankly expressed. But she was +careful not to say so to Dolly.</p> + +<p>The girls were juniors now, a fact that they +found it hard to realize. College seemed +like a second home to them when they returned, +and they went over every nook and +corner of it with real affection. Several girls +had dropped out of the class, as was only to +be expected, but they had gained some new +members also, so that they were still the largest +junior class ever enrolled at Westover. +They numbered 291, but Abby Dunbar and +three of her most intimate friends had +dropped out.</p> + +<p>Mary kept her old room. Constance and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span> +Margaret were room-mates again, so were +Dolly and Beth. Even Mary was inveigled +into the little reunion which they held +in Dolly’s room on the night after they +all returned.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span><a id='link_16'></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>They</span> had talked over the summer holidays +quite thoroughly, when Beth brought up the +subject of class elections.</p> + +<p>“We want Dolly for president next year; +we shall want Margaret as editor-in-chief of +the <i>Chronicle</i> (the <i>Chronicle</i> was a college +monthly managed entirely by the senior class, +although contributions were frequently accepted +from members of the other classes), +we want Constance for class historian, too, and +Mary ought to be on the executive committee; +as we shall want so much then, I think that +we had better keep in the background this +year, don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Is that all you want, Beth?” Dolly questioned +dryly.</p> + +<p>Beth ignored the protests that Constance +and Mary both were making regarding their +fitness for the positions to which Beth wished +them elected.</p> + +<p>“I do not want too much, and I do not want +more than I mean to get either! If we work +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span> +for the other girls this year, they can afford +to help us next. I was president last year, +and of course I am still president for a few +days yet. After I go out we will all keep in +the background during this junior year, for +really we are not pigs.”</p> + +<p>“So glad you told us that; some people +might think we were,” murmured Dolly. +Beth gave her a vigorous pinch and went on +calmly. “You girls are just the ones for the +places I named, and we want our best material +to the fore during our senior year. +None of you have any special candidates at +heart this year, have you?”</p> + +<p>“I do not want to interfere with any of your +plans for Dolly’s election next year, Beth, +but I would be glad if Margery Ainsworth +could be elected to one of the minor committees +this year.”</p> + +<p>“Now, in the name of common sense, why +do you care about her?”</p> + +<p>“I feel sorry for the girl, Beth. She is +studying well now, she has no special friends, +and a little honor like that would do her an +immense amount of good.”</p> + +<p>“Do you really like her, Con?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span>“I am not sure that her character is enough +settled yet for me to say. Of course, I do +not care for her as I do for you girls here, but +I feel immensely sorry for her. Her pride +is hurt continually. She will either develop +into something strong and good, or else grow +unlovable and unloving. Let us help her this +wee bit, girls. Her pride is being wounded +all of the time now, and a little recognition +by her classmates may come at just the +right time.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, if you want us to do missionary work, +Con, and put it on high moral grounds–”</p> + +<p>“Be still. I just ask you to do a nice little +thing for a girl who feels that she has no +friends. And you will do it, too.”</p> + +<p>“Will I?” and Beth looked mutinous. +Constance smiled serenely. She was sure of +Beth’s help when the time should come.</p> + +<p>The girls all felt that the one who was +made president, during this, their junior +year, should be both capable and popular. +Either Constance or Dolly could have been +elected, had they so chosen, but Constance +utterly refused to consider the matter, and +Beth would not hear to Dolly’s being nominated. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span> +It ended with the election of Hope +Brereton, and the “diggers” were not represented +at all in the offices, with the exception +of Beth, who was made chairman of the executive +committee since she was the retiring +president. Margery Ainsworth, to her own +intense surprise and gratification, was put on +the entertainment committee.</p> + +<p>It did not take long for the girls to settle into +their former grooves again. The old friendships +were cemented, and some new ones were +formed. Mary retreated again into her shell, +and Dolly felt more than once like shaking +her. In other ways Mary had improved +materially. She could not afford handsome +dresses, but those that she had, were becoming +in color and soft in texture. Her hair was +arranged to show its real beauty, and while +she was far from being a pretty girl, she had +a fine, intelligent face, and the promise of +future beauty. She was looking forward to +the time when she could teach, and earn +money to lighten the burdens on that western +farm.</p> + +<p>Just before Thanksgiving time, the sophomores +gave a little entertainment to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span> +juniors. Mary came into Dolly’s room one +day with a wry face. “I fear that I shall +not be able to attend that entertainment +which the sophomores are giving us.”</p> + +<p>“I would like to know why?”</p> + +<p>“We shall have to wear some sort of evening +dress, I suppose, and the only thing that +I have is my white.”</p> + +<p>“That would be just the thing,” said +Constance, who chanced to be present.</p> + +<p>“It’s not very elegant, but it would do, only +I have not got it. I sent it to Mrs. O’Flaherty +three weeks ago to be laundered, and it +hasn’t been sent back yet.”</p> + +<p>“Write to her.”</p> + +<p>“I have. I’ve sent her a dozen missives. +But she does not answer.”</p> + +<p>“Go and see her.”</p> + +<p>“She lives too far away.”</p> + +<p>“Then try one more note; make it pathetic +and appealing and stern and threatening all +in one. That will surely bring the dress.”</p> + +<p>“Very well, I will.”</p> + +<p>But as she was about to commence the +note, Mary decided, that after all, she had +better go herself. She dressed rapidly, and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span> +started out alone. Either Dolly or Beth +would have gone with her willingly, but +she would not ask them. Mrs. O’Flaherty +lived at the farther side of Westover. Mary +found herself out of breath and impatient +when she reached there. She was about to +knock when the door opened, and Constance +came out, Mary’s dress in her arms.</p> + +<p>“I was going to take the liberty of carrying +your dress to a woman whom I know. She +will do it up beautifully for you, even on this +short notice. Mrs. O’Flaherty is ill–too ill +to answer your notes or to think about your +dress at all.”</p> + +<p>“Then I had better go in and see her a +moment.”</p> + +<p>“You can do no good, I am sure.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps not, but still I will go in; if you +can wait for me just a moment, I will relieve +you of that bundle.”</p> + +<p>“There is really nothing to be done, Mary, +and Mrs. O’Flaherty is just falling asleep.”</p> + +<p>Mary made no comment, but went directly +in, taking care, however, to move more +gently than usual. Mary was not a quiet +person ordinarily, being the last one that +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span> +an invalid would care to have in a sick room. +She wondered angrily why Constance had +tried to prevent her from entering. If she +were as rich as Constance Van Gerder, she +would do something for poor Mrs. O’Flaherty. +She was too poor to do anything herself, but +at least she could show a little sympathy! +Full of indignation against Constance, Mary +was pushing into the tiny house, when her +way was suddenly barred.</p> + +<p>Looking up, she recognized Dr. Leonard, +the leading physician in Westover. “I cannot +let you in, Miss Sutherland. Mrs. O’Flaherty +has some kind of a low fever. I cannot +tell just what it will develop into yet, but I +could not allow you to run the risk of going +in there.”</p> + +<p>“But is there nothing I can do? The +woman is so horribly poor. I’m not rich +myself, but–”</p> + +<p>“She will be all right now. Miss Van +Gerder has gotten hold of her. She just +chanced to learn today, that Mrs. O’Flaherty +was ill, or she would have had me here before. +You need not worry, Miss Sutherland. Miss +Van Gerder will do all that is necessary. She +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span> +has given me money for food, fuel and nurse. +I can call upon her for as much more as I +need. I wonder if you girls up at the college +know half the good that Miss Van Gerder +is doing with her wealth?”</p> + +<p>“No, we don’t,” Mary said shortly, and +then, ashamed of her curtness, she lingered +to make some more inquiries.</p> + +<p>Constance was waiting for her by the gate. +Mary took the bundle from her arms, despite +Constance’s remonstrances. “You are not +going to carry my bundles, when I am along, +at least. If you will tell me where that other +woman lives of whom you were speaking +just now, I will try to hunt her up.”</p> + +<p>“I can take you there, but she lives on such +a funny back street that I cannot well give +you any directions.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know all these people? I +have never been to Mrs. O’Flaherty’s house +before, and I should not have gone this time, +if my dress had been sent home on time. +Did you go because of what I said today? +I would really like to know.” And Mary +meant it.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I suppose I did, but there is nothing +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span> +very wonderful about that. I concluded +that she must be sick or in trouble, when you +failed to hear from her, so I looked her up.”</p> + +<p>“And you, probably, had never heard of +her before, while she has been doing my +laundry work ever since I came to Westover. +It strikes me that I have been both thoughtless +and selfish.”</p> + +<p>“You have been busy,” Constance said +gently, “and then, in a certain sense, I feel +as if these cases were my work just as much +as Greek and History. Mother does not believe +in indiscriminate giving. She believes +in personal investigation as far as possible. +That takes longer, of course, and is much +more bother, but she has made me feel that +I have no right to waste my money (even if +I do have more than most girls), by a lazy +way of giving. What I give carelessly to +some unworthy person who asks aid, may +really belong by right to someone else who is +deserving and whom I would have found, +had I investigated personally. Do you see +what I mean? I cannot help everyone, and +so where I <i>do</i> help, I want my money to do +good, not harm.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span>“Your way must cost a great amount of +time and trouble.”</p> + +<p>“It often does, and that is my real, personal +part of the giving. I cannot take +credit to myself for giving the money which +comes to me with no exertion on my +part.”</p> + +<p>“What shall you do when you are out of +college and in society?”</p> + +<p>“I never expect to be in society, as I suppose +you understand that term. I have no +particular fondness for receptions and germans +and balls. One tires of it all fearfully soon. I +shall do some sort of college settlement work, +but I shall not undertake it until I feel +better prepared than at present.”</p> + +<p>“Dolly always said that I never knew +anything about you, and she was right. In +your place I know that I should just be getting +all of the good times that I could for +myself. I’m afraid that I should not care +for much except the frivolous part of life. +It is well that I am poor, and not likely to +see much gaiety, because it has an irresistible +attraction for me. You would not imagine +it, would you?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span>But Constance could understand perfectly +how Mary’s hard, prosaic life on the western +farm had caused her to think with deep +longing of the bright, fashionable world in +which she had no part or lot. Constance’s +comprehension was so perfect, and her sympathy +so delicate, that Mary grew bitterly +ashamed of the narrow feelings and jealousy +which had marred all her sophomore year. +There should be no more of it, she told herself +sharply. Mary was not afraid to face +facts when she once met them.</p> + +<p>She owned, now, that she had been jealous +of Dolly’s open admiration for Constance. +Then she had called Constance proud and +unfeeling. Who had stood Margaret Hamilton’s +friend? Who was helping Margery +Ainsworth to regain her self-respect? Who +had gone to Mrs. O’Flaherty on the first +hint of sickness? And had not the doctor +declared that the college girls were ignorant +of the greater part of her charitable deeds?</p> + +<p>“I believe that I have been a big snob,” +Mary told herself. “We can only be measured +by our inclinations and our deeds. +Certainly, even in proportion to my limited +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span> +means, I have done far less good than Constance. +It never occurred to me, for instance, +to look up Mrs. O’Flaherty for her own sake, +because she might be ill. I only thought of +getting my dress.”</p> + +<p>Mary never resorted to half-way measures. +She now gave as frank and open admiration +to Constance as did any of the “diggers;” +Dolly and Beth rejoiced over her conversion.</p> + +<p>But Beth said, “If she felt at all toward +Constance as I now feel toward Margery +Ainsworth, when I see Constance wasting +her sweetness in that direction, I can sympathize +with her. Mary was rather jealous of +your affection for Constance, Dolly, and +while I do not think that I myself am +jealous, I surely hate to see Con lavishing +time and patience on Margery.”</p> + +<p>“You are sure it is wasted?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am. Don’t forget that I was +Margery’s room-mate. I flatter myself that +I know about all that there is to know concerning +that young lady.”</p> + +<p>“Yet I think that Constance is a tolerably +good judge of character. There must be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span> +latent possibilities in Margery which you have +never discovered.”</p> + +<p>Beth shook her head obstinately, but that +very day proved the correctness of Dolly’s +conclusions and made Beth resolve to be +more charitable in her judgments.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span><a id='link_17'></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<p><span class='sc'>That</span> evening Dolly was wishing for some +one’s note-book on Greek art, that she might +make up a lecture she had lost because of a +headache. Beth noted rather anxiously that +Dolly had many headaches in these days. +This was something new. Until very lately, +Dolly and headaches had been strangers.</p> + +<p>The junior year was conceded by everyone +to be the easiest year in the entire course, +so Beth did not believe that Dolly was working +too hard. Yet she seemed tired so much +of the time! She had been so anxious that +athletics at Westover should be revived, but +now, when an effort was being made in that +direction, Dolly took only a languid interest +in the matter. Beth helped her in many +little ways, and hid her increasing anxiety, +although she was fully determined to write to +Mrs. Alden, if Dolly did not grow stronger +within a short time.</p> + +<p>Beth looked up as Dolly was expressing +her wish for the notes on Greek art. She, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span> +herself, was not taking that course, for she preferred +logarithms and abstruse calculations, +to the marvels of the Parthenon.</p> + +<p>“I’ll get you Margery Ainsworth’s note-book, +Dolly; she has full notes on everything, +the girls say.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, her book would do splendidly, if she +will loan it, but I ought to get it myself. +There is no reason in the world why you should +be running my errands in this fashion.”</p> + +<p>“I like it, so don’t talk nonsense,” and +Beth went off briskly.</p> + +<p>She gave a little tap at Margery’s door, +then entered, thinking that she had heard +Margery speak. When she was fairly in the +room, however, she saw Margery lying on +her couch, sobbing as if her heart would +break.</p> + +<p>“Why, Margery, what is the trouble? have +you had bad news? Do tell me.”</p> + +<p>Margery sat up hastily. Beth was not the +person whom she would have selected as her +confidant. “I have just received a letter from +Father. He has been crippled in business for +some time by the recent bank failures, and +now he has lost everything.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span>“Oh, Margery, I am dreadfully sorry.”</p> + +<p>“Mother is such an invalid that it will be +hard on her. She has a little money of her +own, not much, but enough, Father says, to +pay up every cent he owes and to keep me +here until I graduate.”</p> + +<p>“It must be a comfort, Margery, to feel +that he will not owe any person a cent.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it is,” with an irrepressible sob, “but, +oh, I want to be at home helping, but Father +says that I can help best by going through +and graduating. He was afraid of this, and +that was the reason he was so determined that +I should graduate here and be prepared to +teach. Mother may need to depend upon +me entirely some day, for, of course, Father +is not young any more, and we have no +near relatives; no one, at least, upon whom +we would ever call for help.”</p> + +<p>“You must be proud of the fact that your +father can depend upon you, dear.”</p> + +<p>“There is not much to be proud of. Just +think, Beth, if I had not wasted so much of +my time, I should be graduating this year. +Now I cannot be of any help for nearly two +years. That is the bitterest part of all. We +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span> +have never been rich people, but Father made +a comfortable living for us. I ought to have +realized that it cost a great deal for him to +send me here, and I should have made the +most of my time–but I didn’t.”</p> + +<p>“No one could have done better than you +have been doing lately, Margery.”</p> + +<p>“But I cannot make up that lost year. +That is the dreadful part of it. Repentance +doesn’t take away the consequences of one’s +folly, does it? We have to pay for it all. Just +now, when I ought to be in a position to help +at home, I am only an added burden. Father +has seen this coming for years, but I did not +know it. He lost many thousands of dollars +in a great bank failure four years ago. He +has never quite recovered from that blow. +If there had not been several failures lately, +though, among people who owed him money, +he would have managed to pull through.”</p> + +<p>“But you knew nothing of all this, Margery, +so do not blame yourself too severely.”</p> + +<p>“I knew that Father was not rich, and I +ought not to have wasted my time. I know +that I must graduate now, if I would teach, +but it is dreadfully hard to think that I +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span> +must use up my mother’s little pittance +for it.”</p> + +<p>“But she wants you to take it, dear, and +I am sure that the best thing you can do for +your parents, now, is to be cheerful and happy. +You will probably have many long years in +which to work for them both; and really, +Margery, you are working for them now just +as truly as if you were earning money for +them.”</p> + +<p>But even Beth’s bright reasoning failed to +console the girl, and Beth went back to Dolly +feeling quite downcast.</p> + +<p>“There, if I didn’t forget your book! Let +me tell you the news and then I will go back +and get it.”</p> + +<p>“Never mind the book,” said Dolly when +Beth had told the story. “I feel too wretched +to use it tonight. I wish you would tell +Constance, though. She may know how to +comfort Margery a little, and perhaps she can +devise some plan for helping her.”</p> + +<p>But while Constance was sympathetic and +kind, she could think of no way for assisting +Margery just then. “When she is ready to +teach, I can help her, I am sure. I think +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span> +it likely that she may be able to get a good +position in one of the fashionable boarding-schools +in New York; then she will not be +obliged to leave home.”</p> + +<p>So Margery’s friends did all that they could +for her in a quiet way, but, after all, they +could not carry her burden, and Margery felt +in those days as if life were a hard thing.</p> + +<p>Dolly’s headaches had grown no better; +they had become perpetual, until Beth, in +frightened desperation, wrote to Mrs. Alden. +Before her mother reached the college, however, +Dolly had been removed to the hospital, +and several of the other students were developing +symptoms of the same malarial fever +that had attacked Dolly.</p> + +<p>“There is much of this disease in the lower +portion of the city. I have been attributing +the trouble there to bad drinking water, but +that hardly seems to account for the outbreak +here, because your drinking water is +wonderfully clear and pure.”</p> + +<p>“We are often in that part of the city, +though,” Beth said, “and we almost always +get a drink at the fountain.”</p> + +<p>“That accounts for it, then. How often +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span> +have you been in the habit of going to that +part of Westover?”</p> + +<p>“Nearly every day. You know that we are +required to take outdoor exercise.”</p> + +<p>“We must see that no more mischief is +done,” the Doctor said, with a grave face.</p> + +<p>But although the fountain was removed and +a new system of drainage introduced, the +mischief was already wrought, so far as Dolly +was concerned. All of the girls liked her, and +were ready to do all in their power to make +things easier for her when she returned once +more to her classes. Her illness was not +serious, but it was tedious and wearisome. +Constance copied her own literature notes into +Dolly’s book, and Margery copied the Greek +art. The professors did everything in their +power to smooth things, but Christmas found +Dolly pale and thin, and utterly aghast at the +work she must take up; for the half-yearly +examinations to which the juniors were treated +would come at the end of January and she +was far from being prepared.</p> + +<p>“I wonder if I hadn’t better give up college +altogether, Mother? It will break my +heart to do it, but, honestly, I do not see +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span> +how I can ever make up all this work. I lack +the energy to attack it. It is not merely the +work that I have missed, either, during these +three weeks since I have been in the hospital. +I could not do good work for several weeks +before that. To think of Beth’s graduating, +and my not even being in college then,” and +Dolly tried to wink away the tears which +would come, for Dolly was not strong yet.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Alden had stayed throughout Dolly’s +sickness, and now she looked at her daughter +thoughtfully. “I want to do the best thing +for you, Dolly, and, as far as I am concerned, +I feel like bundling you up and taking you +home for good. I wrote Fred to that effect, +but he says that you will not forgive me in +after years if I do it. He has a plan of his +own, and you shall hear it. Then you can +decide for yourself what to do. You are old +enough to make the decision unaided. Fred +wants to bring home Rob Steele for the +holidays. There will be nearly three weeks. +He says that Rob has been overworking fearfully, +and is in danger of breaking down. Rob +refuses to come, because he says that he is +already under so many obligations to Fred. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span> +He is as obstinate as a mule, your brother declares. +So Fred proposes that you take home +your note-books and whatever else you need, +and let Rob coach you up in the mornings. +He can make him come under those circumstances. +He wants me to tell you that Rob +is a splendid coach, and that he will fix you +up so that you can go back in January with +a free mind. You can give your mornings to +study, and have plenty of time for fun beside. +What shall I tell him, Dolly, dear? I must +write at once.”</p> + +<p>“I believe, I actually believe, that I could +do it in that way. Beth wanted to help me, +but we do not have the same studies, and I +knew how anxious she was to be at home, too. +This plan will help Mr. Steele, and Fred will +like that.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Fred will like that, for he is fond of +Rob, but, most of all, he will like helping you, +Dolly. Fred is proud of his sister. Can you +do this without overtasking yourself? Health +must come first.”</p> + +<p>“I know I can. It was mostly the thought +of sitting down to the horrid old books all +alone; I merely didn’t have the courage to +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span> +face the prospect. This will improve matters. +I would rather do it than not–much rather. +I am considerable of a baby since I have been +sick, Motherdie, and I dreaded going at the +work that will have to be done. At the +same time, I couldn’t bear to fall behind the +class. Fred is a jewel.”</p> + +<p>And so the matter was settled, to the delight +of all. Beth’s face looked brighter than +it had since Dolly’s illness. “I just could +not stand it to have you drop out, Dolly. Tell +Fred that he is the nicest young man I know, +to think of this solution of the difficulty. +You will get through all right, I know!”</p> + +<p>And Dolly did get through, for she worked +faithfully during the holidays. Rob Steele +was about the best person she could have had +to help her, and, as Fred surmised, he agreed +to go willingly enough, when he found that +there was work for him to do. When vacation +was over, and Mr. Alden tried to pay him, +however, he bluntly refused to take a cent. +He was so positive in his refusal, and so hurt +that the offer was even made, that the subject +was dropped.</p> + +<p>Margaret and Mary had gone home with +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span> +Constance. Several of the other girls had +joined the party later and Margery Ainsworth +had been with them for a couple of +days. Beth and Dolly had been invited, but +Dolly could not spare the time from her +studies, and Beth would not go without her. +Besides, as she told Mrs. Newby: “I like +home better than any other place, so what is +the use of running off the moment I get +here?”</p> + +<p>“We like to have you with us, dearie, but +we must not be selfish. If you are really +happy here at home, we shall be glad to keep +you. Nell and the boys have been looking +forward to vacation time very eagerly. You +know, though, that you would have a gay +round of pleasure if you should go to Constance.”</p> + +<p>“But I am not going, Mother, and that is +positively settled. You need not say another +word unless you want to get rid of me.”</p> + +<p>“That is so likely!”</p> + +<p>So Beth and Dolly spent their holidays +this time in their own homes, and while they +would have enjoyed the good times which +Constance gave her friends, they doubtless +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span> +went back to their studies all the fresher for +the quiet rest they had had.</p> + +<p>Dick Martin had run down to see Fred on +New Year’s Day. He pretended to feel much +hurt and slighted when he found that Rob +Steele had been coaching Dolly all vacation.</p> + +<p>“Why didn’t you ask me? I was in need +of such a job, and I would have done it for +much less than Steele! Next time you want +help, don’t forget me.”</p> + +<p>“Have you any references from former +pupils?” Dolly asked maliciously.</p> + +<p>“Now, I call that a very unkind speech. +If you are going to doubt my ability, I have +nothing more to say, of course; still, next time +you need help I do hope that you will give +me a chance. I mean it, Miss Dolly.”</p> + +<p>“I trust that there will be no ‘next time.’ +A few such setbacks as this, and I should be +obliged to leave college.”</p> + +<p>“I sincerely hope there will not be, either. +Now I would like a promise from you, and I +hope you will not refuse to grant it. I have +been intending to speak about it for some +time.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span><a id='link_18'></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<p>“<span class='sc'>Well</span>?”</p> + +<p>“You want to see your brother graduate?”</p> + +<p>“Of course I do. We have not made +any definite plans as yet, but I have been +counting on being at Harvard for all of commencement +week, if I can manage to get +permission. Fred wants me to bring Mary +and Beth, too.”</p> + +<p>“That will be fine, but don’t you see that +Fred cannot do justice to three young ladies? +Let me do the honors of Harvard as far as +you are concerned. Come, now, promise!”</p> + +<p>Dolly shook her head. “Fred is a model +brother, and I am sure that he would be +utterly disgusted if I should make any +such promise as that. I think that he will +be equal to the three of us, but I shall be +glad if you will assist him in his onerous +duties.”</p> + +<p>“You are not very generous to me, but +when you find Fred engrossed with Miss +Sutherland, and entirely oblivious to the +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span> +fact that he has a sister, I will forgive you, +and take you under my protecting care.”</p> + +<p>“Fred will not forget me.”</p> + +<p>Her companion laughed mischievously. “I +would like to make a wager on that point, +but I know that you never bet–so all I can +do is to wait for the future to prove me a true +prophet.”</p> + +<p>During the busy weeks that followed, Dolly +thought of his words more than once. Was +it possible that Fred cared particularly for +Mary? She did not think so. She hoped +not, too, for she knew Mary well enough to be +sure that that young lady wasted no thoughts +upon Fred, or upon any other young man.</p> + +<p>“All Mary cares for,” she told herself half-angrily, +“is biology, and her own family. +She has her future mapped out, and she +expects to teach forever and forever. Fred +need not waste a single thought on her, and +I do not believe that he does, either.”</p> + +<p>But when commencement time approached, +and Fred was so plainly cast down over Mary’s +refusal to go to Harvard, Dolly began to think +that she might be wrong in her conclusions. +Fred had the matter so much at heart that he +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span> +bespoke his mother’s influence, and Mary at +length gave a reluctant consent.</p> + +<p>“But I have nothing to wear that is new +and pretty, Dolly, and you will be ashamed +of me.”</p> + +<p>The conversation took place in Professor +Newton’s room, and she interposed at this +point. “You must have a new white dress, +Mary, and it shall be my present to you. We +will get a very pretty one, and with what you +have already, Dolly need not be ashamed +of you.”</p> + +<p>“As if I would be, anyway,” Dolly protested +reproachfully.</p> + +<p>But Professor Newton realized that a new +dress may give a girl a certain self-possession +and ease, so she was determined that her +niece should have at least one gown that +would be becoming and suitable. Mary grumbled, +over the waste of money, as she +termed it, but her aunt quietly silenced her, +and sent her off to Harvard, hoping that, +for once in her life, Mary would act like a +young girl instead of an old woman, and would +get as much pleasure out of the week as Beth +and Dolly did.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238'></a>238</span>Probably, to the majority of visitors, the +Commencement that year was like other Commencements, +but Dolly was sure that it was +much more brilliant than anything ever before +held at old Harvard.</p> + +<p>Rob Steele had won substantial honors, +and both Fred and Dick Martin had earned +their degrees. The boys saw that the girls +had a share in all the fun that was going on.</p> + +<p>Westover would not close for another +fortnight, but examinations were over, and +the girls could enjoy themselves with an easy +mind. Dolly found herself depending upon +Dick Martin rather more than she had expected +to do.</p> + +<p>“Am I not a better prophet than you +thought?” he asked one day when Fred and +Mary had disappeared.</p> + +<p>“I am afraid that you are.”</p> + +<p>“Afraid! I beg your pardon, but I do not +understand you. I imagined that you would +be quite pleased to find that Fred appreciated +Miss Sutherland.”</p> + +<p>“But she does not appreciate him!”</p> + +<p>“You are sure?”</p> + +<p>“Positive.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span>Dick gave a low whistle. “I never thought +of that phase of the subject, I’ll confess. +Fred is such a good fellow that I supposed +anyone would like him.”</p> + +<p>“Mary likes him, but that is all. He certainly +cannot vie in interest in her mind +with biology.”</p> + +<p>“Poor Fred.”</p> + +<p>Dolly sprang up. “I am not going to +worry about Fred. Mary and he are good +friends, and Fred is far too young yet to think +of anything else.”</p> + +<p>Martin indulged in a long laugh. “Don’t +let him hear you, or he will think that you +do not appreciate his years and new dignities. +As a matter of fact, more than fifty per cent. +of the students here are engaged.”</p> + +<p>“How unutterably foolish.”</p> + +<p>“Why, pray?”</p> + +<p>“Because they are too young to know +what they want, or what kind of women +they really like. If they studied harder, +they would not be getting into so much +mischief.”</p> + +<p>“Then you think the boys should wait +until–”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span>“Until they are not boys,” finished Dolly +abruptly. “Come and let us hunt up the +others.”</p> + +<p>And for the remaining days of the visit, +Dolly was unapproachable, though why she +acted just so, was a matter which she herself +could not have explained very satisfactorily.</p> + +<p>There had been considerable discussion +over the summer plans. The Aldens and +Newbys went to the Thousand Isles finally, +though Mr. Alden insisted that another year +they must try the seashore.</p> + +<p>Rob Steele had gone directly from Harvard +to Philadelphia, and was working hard in +Mr. Newby’s office. He had not broken down +during his senior year, but he had been very +near doing so. Later in the summer he and +Fred might go camping for a fortnight in the +Adirondacks, but he refused all invitations +to the Islands. “He could afford neither +the time nor the money, for such a delightful +outing.”</p> + +<p>Constance and her mother had gone to +England for the summer. Margaret Hamilton +and her mother were spending the warm +weather at a pleasant farmhouse near Westover. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241'></a>241</span> +Dolly and Beth heard from both the +girls frequently.</p> + +<p>Margery Ainsworth had found tutoring to +do–and was perfectly happy in consequence. +She begged her father to let her try and find +some work the next year; she was sure that she +could find something which she was capable +of doing, but her father would not listen.</p> + +<p>“My health is none too good, Margery, and +when I am gone, I want to know that you will +be able to take care of your mother well. +You cannot do that now. You are not fitted +for any special thing. You would be compelled +to work for a low salary, and when hard +times came, you might find yourself without +any position at all. I should like to give you +a couple of years of post-graduate study, too, +but that is impossible now.”</p> + +<p>So Margery yielded, knowing in her heart +that her father’s plan was really the wisest, +and promising herself to utilize every moment. +Yet she hated the thought of drawing upon +their small reserve fund for her college expenses.</p> + +<p>It was Professor Arnold who finally came +to her assistance. College had opened and +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242'></a>242</span> +the work of the year had fairly commenced. +Professor Arnold was none too popular with +the girls, principally for the reason that none +of them understood her well. She was exacting +in the classroom, and indolent students +received small mercy at her hands. Yet when +people once penetrated beneath her reserve, +they found her lovable, charming and sincere.</p> + +<p>She knew Margery Ainsworth’s circumstances +well, and since the girl’s second +entrance at college had watched her keenly. +Now she went to her with a proposition that +filled Margery with the keenest gratitude. +“Miss Ainsworth, could you manage to take +the Latin classes in the preparatory department? +You are perfectly competent to do the +work, and if you think that you can find +the time and if you care to undertake it, what +you do there will balance your expenses here.”</p> + +<p>There was no doubt that Margery would +find the time. What wouldn’t she do for +the sake of paying her own way? So she +undertook the work eagerly, and wrote a joyful +letter home. Mr. Ainsworth shook his +head rather dubiously over it. He feared that +his daughter was undertaking more than her +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span> +strength would permit, but he did not like +to forbid the plan definitely, and so Margery +went on with the work. There were many +times when she was so tired that it did seem +as if she could not prepare her own recitations +for the next day, but she never quite gave +way, and she never once regretted the fact +that she had undertaken the extra duties.</p> + +<p>Professor Arnold kept a watchful eye on +her, although Margery was not aware of it, +and she became more and more certain, as +the year went by, that Margery was just the +person that Madame Deveaux would want +the next year, at her exceedingly fashionable +school in New York. One of the teachers +would leave at the close of the present year, +and Madame had already asked Professor +Arnold to secure someone for her. So, although +Margery did not know it, her way was +being made plain and easy. Constance, too, +had been thinking of Margery, but when +she found out, accidentally, what Professor +Arnold’s plan was, she said nothing more, +merely resolving to make Margery’s holidays +as pleasant as possible. And Margery would +be happy in her work, knowing that she was +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span> +helping her home folks and was making the +best atonement possible for her former folly.</p> + +<p>Class elections passed off smoothly. As +Beth said, she had not planned things for two +long years just to fail at the last moment. +Beth’s “ticket,” as Dolly insisted on calling +it, was carried through triumphantly, and +without any hard feelings on the part of +any one.</p> + +<p>So Dolly was elected president, Margaret +was editor-in-chief of the <i>Chronicle</i>, Constance +was historian, and both Mary and Beth were +on the executive committee. Beth had +objected decidedly when her name was proposed, +but she was so capable and energetic, +that her classmates really wanted her in that +all-important place.</p> + +<p>The majority of the girls had their plans +more or less well defined for the next year. +Margaret had already given her name to the +faculty as an applicant for a school, and it +was hardly to be doubted that she would get +what she wished. Westover ranked so high +among colleges, that its graduates were in +demand every place, and each year brought +the faculty scores of letters, from both public +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span> +and private schools, asking that one of +Westover’s graduates be sent them.</p> + +<p>Constance would take a couple of years of +post-graduate work before going into the +College Settlement. Several of the others expected +to be back for one year at least, +Hope Brereton, Hazel Browne, Ada Willing +and Florence Smith. Some of the others, +too, perhaps, but neither Dolly nor Beth felt +that they could be spared longer from home. +Beth knew how much her stepmother and the +children looked forward to the next year, and +so, although she did wish at times that she +might be back at Westover for some special +work in mathematics, she did not entertain +the thought seriously, for the boys really +needed her, and her father said that they +were lonesome at home without her. She +would help to make her home as pleasant as +she could, and she would do some earnest +work with her music. Without doubt there +would be enough to keep her busy! She +would find plenty of duties when she came +to look for them.</p> + +<p>Dolly knew that her father and mother +felt that they had spared her as long as they +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span> +could. Fred would still be away for several +years, for he had decided to take a thorough +course in electrical engineering in Boston. +Dick Martin was studying medicine there, so +that the two saw considerable of each other.</p> + +<p>Mary Sutherland was hoping for a place in +the preparatory department the next year, so +that she could teach, and yet do extra work +in the line of biology.</p> + +<p>“Why, Mary Sutherland,” Dolly exclaimed, +when Mary first confided this plan to her, “I +should think that you knew all there was to +be known about that subject now.”</p> + +<p>Mary stared at her friend in honest horror. +“I could never know all about it, Dolly, if I +should live as long as Methuselah and study +day and night. I don’t know enough to try +and teach anything about it yet, but sometime +I hope I may.”</p> + +<p>“Fred can’t hope to compete with biology, +so far as Mary is concerned,” Dolly told herself +emphatically, for by this time she acknowledged +that Dick Martin had been correct, and +that Fred’s interest in Mary was more than a +friendly one. It seemed strange enough to +Dolly that this was so, for Mary was not +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247'></a>247</span> +pretty, and she had none of the little accomplishments +which usually attract young +men. Now, if it had only been Beth! and +Dolly sighed dismally. It would have been +so lovely to have Beth for a sister; of course, +she liked Mary, but she could never care as +much for her, or for anyone else, as for Beth.</p> + +<p>While all of the girls were anxious to be at +home, they dreaded the leaving of college +and the breaking up of the ties which had +bound them so closely for four years. It +seemed as if time had never rushed on as +swiftly as during those last months. Class +Day and Commencement were upon them +almost before they realized it. Dolly had +made a very dignified, impartial president, +and the class was delighted at its own good +judgment in selecting her.</p> + +<p>The <i>Chronicle</i> had flourished under Margaret’s +management; it had contained more +bright and witty things than ever before, +and Beth heard some of the juniors groaning +over their patent inability to keep the magazine, +during the ensuing year, up to its present +standard of merit.</p> + +<p>Beth repeated the remark with much delight +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248'></a>248</span> +to Margaret. “It has been a great +success, girls, and we owe it all to Margaret. +She has put soul and life into it. In fact, +I think we can be proud of our record all +the way through college; we have the largest +class ever graduated; we certainly have some +of the brightest students that were ever within +these walls, we have the most unique entertainments +of any class, and the <i>Chronicle</i> has +never been as good as it is this year.”</p> + +<p>“How we apples do swim!” said Dolly +mockingly.</p> + +<p>“You are as proud of this class as I am, +and you know it, Dolly Alden! Professor +Newton told me the other day that the +faculty was perfectly satisfied with us. We +have some actually brilliant students here. +Look at Amy Norton, for instance! She +is a phenomenon. Our choir is fine, and altogether,” +Beth wound up emphatically, “we +are just about as nice a class as you can find +any place.”</p> + +<p>“We are nice,” Dolly conceded, “but, Beth, +let me tell you that our pride is going to have +a fearful fall in one particular.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand you.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249'></a>249</span><a id='link_19'></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<p>“<span class='sc'>I am</span> talking about the athletic contests +that come off the first of Commencement +week. We simply shan’t be in it. Vassar, +Wellesley, Smith, and all the others, seem +to be in great shape, but we shall disgrace +ourselves.”</p> + +<p>“But, Dolly dear, we must do tolerably +well, or we should never be in the contests at +all. There were scores of colleges that tried +for a place and we were one of the six successful +ones, so we must certainly be able to +do something.”</p> + +<p>“You would not be feeling so confident if +you took more interest in athletics. We +should never have won a place at all except +for Ruth Armstrong. She was superb +at everything; running, jumping, throwing–everything. +It was she, and she alone, who +won us our place on the list. She was simply +phenomenal, but, as you know, she isn’t here +this year, and there is no one at all on whom +we can count. Vassar is sure now of one +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250'></a>250</span> +event, and the Cornell girls will get another, +that is positive. I had hoped that we could +do something in the running contests, but +Rose Wilson has twisted her ankle, so the +only thing in which we stood the least show +is out of the question.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Dolly dear, with six colleges represented, +and only three events to come off, +everyone could not win.”</p> + +<p>“Of course not, and now Westover will +not be one of the lucky three. We shall not +even win second place in anything! In short, +we are in such bad shape that I wish we had +never tried to revive athletics here at Westover. +The other colleges have been working +in this direction for years, and it was absurd +for us to compete with them.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t worry; I think that we have won +honor enough simply by being admitted to +the competition. Lots of colleges are envious +of us.”</p> + +<p>“They will not be very long,” said Dolly +soberly.</p> + +<p>There was really nothing to be said that +could comfort Dolly. All that she asserted was +only too true. None of the quartette were on +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251'></a>251</span> +the athletic teams, but all of the students +had been discussing the coming contests with +grave faces.</p> + +<p>“If we had not made the absurd rule +that only Seniors could be in these contests, +we might do something even yet. There is +rather good material among the freshmen +and sophomores.”</p> + +<p>“But the other colleges only admit the +seniors, so we could not be allowed to pick +from all the classes. If only Ruth Armstrong +were here!”</p> + +<p>But Ruth, just then, was climbing the Alps, +with no thought of her former classmates +who stood in such dire need of her.</p> + +<p>“Tell me once more on what contests you +have finally decided.” Of course, it was +Mary who asked the question; any other girl +would have known.</p> + +<p>“The idea of your not knowing!”</p> + +<p>“Well, you have changed your minds so +often, and I have been so busy with my +new experiments, that I do not think it +wonderful that I am not posted. Tell me, +Dolly.”</p> + +<p>“The faculties limited us to three contests. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252'></a>252</span> +I felt indignant at the time, for I wanted a +dozen, at least, but now I am ready to bow +to their superior wisdom. The more contests +there are, the more defeats there would be +for us.”</p> + +<p>“But how have you finally settled it?”</p> + +<p>“We have settled and unsettled matters +a dozen times, but our last decision is really +final; there will be running and jumping, and, +last of all, a boat race.”</p> + +<p>“And we do not stand a show?”</p> + +<p>“Not a ghost of a show for even second +place,” and Dolly sighed. Being president, +she felt as if the honor or disgrace of the +college rested on her.</p> + +<p>Mary broke the silence at last. “I have +not gone in for athletics since I have been here, +because I don’t care for such things, but I +can do considerable in the running and jumping +line. I can’t row at all, and I would be +no good there, but if you want me to try and +help you out in the other things, I will.”</p> + +<p>“Why, Mary Sutherland, and you never said +a word before! But you must be awfully out +of practice. Do you actually think that you +can save us from total disgrace?”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_253'></a>253</span>“I don’t know what the girls at the other +colleges can do, so I am hardly prepared to +say how much I can aid you, dear. I am not +so fearfully out of practice, either. Every +summer I have been kept in trim by my +brothers, and really I can beat them both +at running and jumping, when I am in good +condition.”</p> + +<p>“But that was nearly a year ago, Mary.”</p> + +<p>“I know, but I have been to the gymnasium +every night after my experiments. I have +done all sorts of running and jumping there just +to tire myself out so that I could sleep. No +one has ever seen me at that time, and I never +thought of your really needing my services. +I expect that I have been horribly selfish.”</p> + +<p>“You are just angelic now, for I know that +you were planning to do a lot of extra work +with Professor Reimer during these last days +of college, and you would rather be with +him than helping us out of a hole.”</p> + +<p>That was so very true that Mary blushed. +She had felt reluctant to even mention her +prowess, but a second thought had made +her ashamed of her hesitancy. What had +not Dolly and these other friends of hers +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_254'></a>254</span> +done to make college life pleasant for her +during the past four years? Mary herself +could not get up much enthusiasm with regard +to the athletics. If there were a scientific +contest now!</p> + +<p>“Come up to the gymnasium, girls, and I +will get into my suit and show you what I +can do. As I said, I practice almost every +evening, for after the laboratory work I am +so wide awake that I could never go to +sleep at all. I found that out long ago. I +would just lie in bed and think out different +experiments. Of course, the next day my +head felt like lead, and I was as stupid as +an owl. So I resorted to the gymnasium. +There is no trouble any more about my +sleeping, for I tire myself out physically before +I stop. Now, just wait a moment. +I hope you will not be disappointed after all +my boasting. I really do not know whether +I am better than the rest of the girls you +have picked out or not. I suppose I must +be pretty good at running and jumping, because +the boys think so, and they are usually +very chary of their praise where sisters are +concerned.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_255'></a>255</span>But after the first five minutes there was +no doubt in anyone’s mind as to Mary’s +superiority over all the other girls. She was +really fine. Dolly’s drooping spirits rose +with a bound.</p> + +<p>“I shall love you forever for saving the +day for us, Mary. You are not out of practice +a bit, but still you will let Mr. Thornbury +have all your extra leisure until the games +come off, won’t you? I hate to ask it,” +Dolly went on hurriedly, for she knew that +this would involve the giving up of all the +extra laboratory work which Mary was doing. +“But you will do it for the sake of the college, +will you not?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, yes. If I am going to go into this +thing at all, I want to do my best. I didn’t +see the trial competitions last year, but you +and Beth did. How do I compare with the +girls from the other colleges?”</p> + +<p>“You do better than they did then, but +I hear that they have been practicing hard +ever since.”</p> + +<p>“I will do my very best, Dolly; perhaps we +can win a ‘second’ after all. Mr. Thornbury +shall give me all the drilling and training +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_256'></a>256</span> +that he wishes to. My examinations are +all over, and I really do not have to do a +single thing more. I was doing the extra +work with Professor Reimer just because it +was such a wonderfully good chance.”</p> + +<p>And Mary, true to her word, gave up all +her time to gymnasium work. All of their +friends came flocking to Westover for Commencement +week. In fact, the closing ceremonies +occupied nearly ten days.</p> + +<p>All of the “diggers” had won their degrees, +and also, rather to their astonishment, a +place on the “honor” roll. Beth, as everyone +expected, had taken the mathematical prize, +Mary had been awarded the special prize +given occasionally for exceptionally fine work +along scientific lines, Margaret had won a year’s +study abroad for the highest average throughout +the entire course. Margery received an +honorable mention for her work, but she was +not eligible for any prize, as those were open +only to students who went straight through +the four years’ course, and Margery had not +done that. There was an archaeological +prize that went to Helen Stetson, and several +other prizes or scholarships in post-graduate +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_257'></a>257</span> +work that went to girls who had excelled +in some special line.</p> + +<p>The friends of the “diggers” were more +than satisfied with the work that had been +done by them. It seemed to Dolly as if +everyone had come to Westover that she had +ever known. All of Beth’s relatives and hers, +even to the third and fourth cousins. Constance’s +people were there, of course, and they +did not fail to exert themselves to make +Mrs. Hamilton comfortable and at ease. +Her delight and pride in Margaret were something +beautiful to see. The prize which +she had so unexpectedly won, changed Margaret’s +plans somewhat. She would go to +Girton for a year’s study; her mother was also +to go; there was money enough for that, for +neither of them had been extravagant during +these four years just past. A fine position +was already promised Margaret on her return.</p> + +<p>Mary had secured the coveted place in the +preparatory school at Westover, and had +arranged to do special work at the college +next year. She had been very sober when +the other girls had been talking about Commencement +and their friends who were coming. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_258'></a>258</span> +It seemed hard to Mary that her father +and mother could not be there. But she +knew that such an expense was simply out of +the question, and she tried to be content.</p> + +<p>Then a most wonderful thing happened, +just a fortnight before Commencement. Some +one (Mary suspected Constance, though she +never knew surely) had sent Mr. and Mrs. +Sutherland two railroad tickets to Westover +and return; there were Pullman seats +enclosed, too, for the day on which they +should depart, and so, after all, Mary’s father +and mother were present. And if their +hands were toilworn and their clothes very +old-fashioned, Mary did not care. After all, +in the great throng no one’s garments were +noticed very particularly. It was only the +graduating class that was especially scrutinized, +and it was hard to tell whether the +girls looked more enchanting in their white, +filmy dresses or in their caps and gowns.</p> + +<p>Class Day, with all its gayety, passed off +brilliantly. Constance made a fine historian; +Hazel Browne read the class poem, and it was +very generally conceded, even among the +old graduates, to be one of the best things +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_259'></a>259</span> +that had ever been read in the old Westover +Hall. It was pungent and witty, without +being at all bitter or malicious.</p> + +<p>Dolly presided on all the numerous occasions +necessitated by Commencement week, +with a pretty dignity and grace that more +than one person found very fascinating.</p> + +<p>The weather was perfect, sunshiny and +bright, but not overpoweringly hot, and the +exercises went off with a smoothness that +made Dolly wild with satisfaction and delight.</p> + +<p>“You are getting altogether too proud, +sister mine,” asserted Fred. “If Westover +should actually happen to win something +in tomorrow’s contest, there will be no living +with you.”</p> + +<p>“I am proud of the girls and of the college, +and of everything connected with it.”</p> + +<p>“To tell the truth, I am rather proud of +you! I don’t wish to make you conceited +and all puffed up with vanity, but really, +Dolly, you make a first-class president. We +are just brimming over with pride. Can’t +you see how satisfied Father and Mother are +looking? You owe me something for getting +Rob to coach you last year. I verily believe +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_260'></a>260</span> +that you were just about ready to give up +then.”</p> + +<p>“I was, for a fact, and I shall be grateful to +you all my life, Fred, for what you planned. +Just think of missing this,” and Dolly drew +a deep breath.</p> + +<p>“It would have been too bad, that’s sure,” +affirmed Dick Martin, who chanced to be +present. “I never saw a more ideal Commencement. +Perfect weather, lovely girls +and original programs. How did you ever +manage it all so smoothly, Miss Dolly? I +see that your special friends captured the +choicest prizes and scholarships. Was it all +a prearranged plan? Things went your way–you +could hardly ask anything more than +you and your friends got.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I could,” and Dolly sobered down. +“The athletic contests come tomorrow, the +very last thing on our program. We could +not get them in before, and perhaps it is just +as well, for I do not expect that we shall win +any glory.”</p> + +<p>“I thought Fred said that Miss Sutherland +was to save the day for you?”</p> + +<p>“She is our only hope; the rest of the girls +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_261'></a>261</span> +do not amount to anything. But Vassar +and Smith, to say nothing of Cornell and +Wellesley and Mount Holyoke, have been +boasting so securely since they arrived that +our hopes are now below zero.”</p> + +<p>“You are anxious to win?”</p> + +<p>“Very. Westover has been out of all +athletic contests for so long that we want +to get our place again, and if our own particular +class could achieve that, we should +feel that we had nothing more to ask.”</p> + +<p>“I should say you wouldn’t have, for your +class is leaving a great record here, that is +sure. I have faith in your friend. I believe +that she will help you out, despite all the +boasting of the others.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you are right. I do hope it. I +shall be so glad, so glad–”</p> + +<p>“So glad, that you will grant all sorts of +favors?” her companion asked, as they sauntered +slowly over the lawn. Fred had disappeared +in search of Mary.</p> + +<p>“Yes, quite glad enough to do anything +for anyone,” asserted Dolly recklessly. A +moment later she caught her breath, and +wished she had not said just that.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> +<h2><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_262'></a>262</span><a id='link_20'></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<p>“<span class='sc'>I am</span> going to remind you of that tomorrow +evening,” Dick said quietly. “I +am confident now that Miss Sutherland will +come off victorious.”</p> + +<p>Dolly was glad that a bevy of girls surrounded +them just then, demanding all the +latest information with regard to the contests +on tomorrow. She slipped away from +her companion soon, and managed to hold +him at a distance until the next afternoon, +when the great events came off. The best +places for seeing had been reserved for the +seniors and their friends, so when Dolly took +her place by her mother, it was not at all +strange that Dick Martin should be seated +on the other side of her.</p> + +<p>On the opposite benches were the friends +of the other competitors, and college flags +and college cries were much in evidence. +Cornell and Vassar seemed particularly confident, +and as Dolly heard their shouts and +noticed their jubilant flags, she grew despondent.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_263'></a>263</span>Beth was sitting just back of her. “Don’t +give up before we fairly commence, Dolly. +We have just as much right to shout as they +have. Mary did magnificently this morning.”</p> + +<p>“And don’t forget that you are to take a +walk with me this evening, and I’ll tell you +then what I want you to do for me.” That +was Dick Martin.</p> + +<p>“Oh, don’t you know that tonight we give a +supper to the visitors from the other colleges? +I can’t go with you possibly.”</p> + +<p>“I mean to have my walk either before or +after; you shall not snub me in that fashion.”</p> + +<p>But Dolly pretended not to hear. Her +eyes were on the smooth stretch of road in +front of her. They were jumping, yes–Mary +was not as good at that as she was at +running.</p> + +<p>Dolly slipped her hand into her mother’s.</p> + +<p>“It is a very good thing that such events +as this come only once in a lifetime. I am +too excitable to stand the strain equably like +Constance.”</p> + +<p>“Once in a lifetime is quite enough, I’ll +agree,” said Mrs. Alden, looking rather anxiously +at Dolly’s flushed cheeks. “I shall be +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_264'></a>264</span> +glad to have you safely at home, where I can +keep you quiet and have you rest.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Mother,” said Dolly, not really +hearing a word of what Mrs. Alden was saying. +“Oh, look! Wasn’t that splendid of +Mary? Do cheer her, Mr. Martin. Louder! +Louder yet! Mary has gone farther than +any of them, but I am afraid of Miss Smith +of Vassar. That is she now! Oh!” A despairing +note in her tone as Miss Smith made +a better record than Mary had done. “How +dreadful! But Mary has won us a second at +least, and that is really more than I dared +hope.”</p> + +<p>“Cheer up, then. There are two more +chances for you.”</p> + +<p>“We do not stand the slightest chance in +the boat race, and I am afraid that Mary +cannot do any better in the running. Still +I am grateful for what she has won for us. +We shall not be disgraced, at least.”</p> + +<p>“Now watch!” as the runners lined up in +position. “I have a presentiment that you +will feel jubilant when this race is over.”</p> + +<p>And it became evident, almost from the +first second, that Westover would win. +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_265'></a>265</span> +Mary’s pride was fully roused. She knew +how anxious her class was to come off victorious +in one of the contests at least, and +she did her very best, but her best was needed, +for Cornell was very close behind her.</p> + +<p>The cheering and yelling were almost +deafening. Really, Mr. Alden said, it was +quite as bad as one of the Harvard football +games. He didn’t see to what the girls’ +colleges were coming, if this sort of thing +continued.</p> + +<p>But Dolly and Beth, to whom his words +were addressed, heard not a syllable of his +raillery. They were too intent on waving +their flags and cheering Mary. Westover +had covered herself with glory, and Dolly +could go home tomorrow with not a wish +ungratified.</p> + +<p>Fred hurried up to his people. “Mary +saved the day for you, didn’t she? She is +having a regular ovation down by the Oaks. +Shall I take you to her, Dolly?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, I am wild to see her and thank +her. The idea of Mary’s being the one +to come to the rescue so nobly. I always +knew she was a dear! You need not save my +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_266'></a>266</span> +seat for me, Mother, I would rather not see the +boat race at all, we stand no show there.”</p> + +<p>And Dolly whisked down from her high +seat of honor as president of the class, and +ran in search of Mary, whose father and mother +could not comprehend the importance of all +the athletic contests, but who were nevertheless +filled with very pardonable pride at +their daughter’s triumph.</p> + +<p>When Dolly reached the Oaks, Mary had +disappeared, and the most diligent search in +grounds and rooms failed to reveal her.</p> + +<p>Dolly wandered back disconsolately just in +time to hear the crowd cheering for Wellesley, +who had won the boat race, with Vassar a +close second.</p> + +<p>“They can have their victory, and welcome,” +Dolly said contentedly to Dick Martin, +who joined her just then. “We have all we +want. I must go now and see if the tables +are all in readiness for tonight.”</p> + +<p>“I just heard Miss Newby declare that +everything had been done, so I hope you will +walk down to the end of the grounds with me. +Can’t you do that, Dolly? I have been trying +to get a moment with you for a long +time. I must go back to Boston at eight +o’clock, and this is my last opportunity to +talk with you.”</p> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a id='link_i9'></a><img src='images/illus-267.jpg' alt='' /> +<p class='center caption'> +“Aren’t you going to say anything to me, Dolly?” +</p> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_267'></a>267</span>“Well,” with an unaccountable hesitation +in her manner. “I suppose that a class +president ought not to run away like this, +but if you will not take me far–”</p> + +<p>“I want to take you all along life’s journey, +Dolly. Is that too much to ask? You know +what I hope to do, what my plans are and +how I am longing to do a little good in the +world. Will you help me? I think I have +cared for you ever since the first time we +met. Aren’t you going to say anything to +me, Dolly?”</p> + +<p>Dolly’s brain was in a whirl. How could +she tell? Yet, did she want him to go off +and never come back? No, no, she knew she +could hardly endure that. And Dick, not +knowing what her silence meant, and fearing +that a bitter disappointment was in store for +him, leaned down to look in her face. Dolly +smiled up at him tremulously, and Dick had +the answer he wished, although no words were +spoken.</p> + +<p class='c'>*       *       *       *       *</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_268'></a>268</span>Late that night Dolly sought out her +mother for a word. “I could not go to sleep +tonight without telling you, Mother, but–”</p> + +<p>“I understand, Dolly, Dick has spoken, +hasn’t he? I knew that he would, for he +wished to do so a year ago, but I think he +feared a refusal then. We have known his +feeling for you for a long time, Dolly dearest, +and I know that he will make your life very +happy. But he must let you stay with us for +a long time yet.”</p> + +<p>“Of course,” said Dolly hastily. “Of +course, why, I would never, never go off +from you now. Dick will not be through +with his medical studies for two or three +years yet. You will have me at home a long +time, Motherdie.”</p> + +<p>“We can’t have you too long, Dolly; we +would like to keep you always, but that is +impossible, evidently.”</p> + +<p>And then Dolly turned consoler, and there +was a long, long talk, despite the fact that +it was in the wee small hours, and that they +were all to take a railroad journey that +day.</p> + +<p>Dolly got up at last reluctantly enough, +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_269'></a>269</span> +but she stopped even then when she reached +the door.</p> + +<p>“Mother, did you notice Fred late last +evening? What was the matter with him? +He looked so grave and sober.”</p> + +<p>“He has not told me anything at all, Dolly, +but I imagine that he has spoken to Mary.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Mother, couldn’t he see for himself +that Mary cares nothing for him? The poor +boy!”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry for him, dear; I feared that he +would speak too soon, but it was best to say +nothing. Fred will not give up easily, and +in time Mary may come to appreciate him. +Now she does not give a thought to anything +beyond her plans and her work.”</p> + +<p>“I do not believe that she will ever change,” +and Dolly went to her room with her own +new joy tinged with sadness as she thought +of Fred’s disappointment.</p> + +<p class='c'>*       *       *       *       *</p> + +<p>It is more than two years later. The class +of ’09 had been holding a reunion in New +York. A number of the members lived +in that city, and others were within easy +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_270'></a>270</span> +access of it. So Constance had proposed +that there should be semi-annual reunions +at her home for as many as could come. +Several of these reunions had been held now, +and the girls enjoyed them, perhaps even +more than the yearly gatherings at Westover +during Commencement week, when they did +not really have time to compare notes and +gossip, as they liked to do, over all the little +happenings of the past year.</p> + +<p>This time there seemed even more news +than usual to be talked over and discussed. +Sarah Weston would sail the next week for +India as a missionary, Grace Egle was studying +medicine, Ellen Terence and Kate Seaton +were doing work on New York newspapers, +and were doing it well, too. Margaret had +run off for a day from the well-known college +in which she had a good position; Mary +was there, too, but after the holidays she +would go west, for she had accepted the +chair of Biology in a new woman’s college +just started there. One of the girls was +singing in a fashionable church, though, +when she used that adjective, Beth protested +vigorously.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_271'></a>271</span>“I think that it is horrible to speak of a +fashionable church. I know that it is often +done, but a church that merits such an adjective +cannot be a church in the true sense of +the term.”</p> + +<p>There had been some lively talk on the subject +after Beth’s remark, and the girls had +enjoyed it, for it seemed like the old days at +Westover, when they were constantly picking +each other up and holding conversational +tilts.</p> + +<p>Another of the class was doing lyceum +work as a public reader. Still another had +opened a kindergarten, and many more, like +Beth and Dolly, were filling quietly and +efficiently the little niches at home which +sadly needed them.</p> + +<p>For the most part, college life had broadened +all of the girls, so that none of them +were entirely content to lead a perfectly +useless life of fashion and gayety. Constance +herself had gone into college settlement work, +just as she had planned to do long before.</p> + +<p>After the rest of their classmates had gone, +Mary and the “diggers” (for the old name +seemed still to cling to them) stayed for a +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_272'></a>272</span> +cosy chat with Constance. Beth and Dolly, +indeed, would stay for a couple of days +longer.</p> + +<p>They were sipping tea, which Constance +had insisted on making, when her sharp eyes +caught the gleam of a new ring on Margaret’s +finger. “Who gave you that, Meg? Are +you keeping secrets from your crowd? I +wouldn’t have believed it of you.”</p> + +<p>Margaret flushed richly. “I truly meant to +tell you girls before I left tonight, but it was +not easy to tell someway. It is absurd to +think of it, but really, I am going, if nothing +happens, to be Abby Dunbar’s sister some +day.”</p> + +<p>“Margaret! how lovely! no, not that you +will be her sister, but that you will be Raymond +Dunbar’s wife, for he is as broad and +generous and fine as she is petty and narrow.”</p> + +<p>“I congratulate you with all my heart, +Meg, and I am so glad that Abby married +that Englishman and will live abroad. Raymond +is just the one man in all the world +that you should marry.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you a thousand times, girls,” +Margaret said heartily when she had been +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_273'></a>273</span> +duly kissed and hugged. “But you know +really, that he is much better and nobler +than I. It is so, and you need not try to +contradict me. I thought at first that he +was trying in this way to atone for his father’s +youthful faults, but–”</p> + +<p>“But you do not think so any more,” +Dolly said shrewdly, looking at her friend’s +changing face.</p> + +<p>“No, I do not,” Margaret owned softly.</p> + +<p>Constance looked around on the other +faces. “Now I wonder if any more of you +are hiding weighty secrets. If so, confess!”</p> + +<p>“How about our hostess, herself?” retorted +Beth quickly.</p> + +<p>Constance smiled serenely. “I have absolutely +nothing to confess. I feel like a +grandmother, with all this talk of engagements +and marriage going on around me. +I am outside of it all. Margery Ainsworth +and I will probably be the old, staid spinsters +of the class; we have found work enough to +fill all our lives. By the way, Dolly, how +long is Mr. Martin going to consent to wait for +you? You have been engaged a couple of +years now.”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_274'></a>274</span>“More than that, and his patience seems +about exhausted,” Dolly acknowledged with +a frank blush. “So I presume that you will +receive our cards immediately after Christmas.”</p> + +<p>“It is your turn, now, Mary. What have +you to say for yourself?” Constance continued +mercilessly.</p> + +<p>“Absolutely nothing beyond what you +already know. I have the position which +I have coveted all my life, so, of course, I +am quite satisfied.” Despite Mary’s words, +however, there was a new tone in her voice, +which made Dolly resolve to catechise her +later. Something had happened, but Dolly +could not make out what.</p> + +<p>“Your turn now, Elizabeth,” commanded +Constance.</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed mischievously. She alone +knew that Beth really had some news to tell. +“Shall I spare your blushes and help you +out, dear? She has only been engaged two +days now, so that she cannot carry her new +honors as sedately as–”</p> + +<p>“As some people who have worn an engagement +ring for two years and a half,” +<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_275'></a>275</span> +Beth interposed. “I’ll tell my own story, +Dolly Alden. Father has offered to take Mr. +Steele into partnership this summer, and–”</p> + +<p>“And the daughter thought it such a good +scheme that she is going to do likewise,” +Dolly interjected, and then after the first +burst of astonishment was over, the girls had +a long talk over their plans and hopes.</p> + +<p>It was a couple of hours later before Dolly +found the quiet opportunity that she wanted +for speaking to Mary.</p> + +<p>“Aren’t you ever going to be good to Fred, +Mary? He is one of the very best boys in +the world.”</p> + +<p>“I know it, and it doesn’t seem fair to him +that he should be wasting his time and +thoughts on me.”</p> + +<p>Dolly looked at her friend keenly. “You +and Fred have some new understanding. +Aren’t you going to tell me what it is?”</p> + +<p>Mary looked troubled. “It is not an +understanding at all, and I cannot have you +think that, or Fred either. I have promised +to write to him, and he says he will not take +my final answer for a couple of years. It +does not seem fair to him–”</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_276'></a>276</span>Dolly interrupted her with a kiss. “Don’t +worry your tender conscience. Just leave +it all to time, and to Fred. If he is contented, +you can afford to be.”</p> + +<p>And to herself Dolly added: “Fred has the +wisdom of the serpent; Mary cares more for +him than she realizes, and he will win her in +the end.”</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<p class='c fs12'>SELECTIONS FROM LIST OF<br /> +The C. M. Clark Publishing Co.</p> + +<p class='b'>WINDING WATERS. By Frances Parker.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Author of the two big Western successes: “Hope Hathaway” +and “Marjie of the Lower Ranch.” This is the first work from +the pen of Miss Parker in four years. You will find in her new +strong and compelling story of the Great West many startling disclosures +of our land that will rouse criticism and interest.</p> + +<p class='b'>TRACT NUMBER 3377. By George H. Higgins and Margaret Higgins Haffey.<br /> +    <i>Spendidly Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Tells how Ashton Walbridge, a young college man, enters +the oil regions to make his fortune, and how he overcomes all +obstacles. You will admire Enoch, laugh at “Little Prue” and +sympathize with Anna. Said by many critics who have read the +advance sheets to be far and ahead of John Fox, Jr.’s “The Trail +of the Lonesome Pine.” Bound to be a big seller.</p> + +<p class='b'>REAL LETTERS OF A REAL GIRL. By Betty.<br /> +    <i>Richly bound. Price, $1.25.</i></p> + +<p>The author of this splendid book possesses that rarest of +gifts, genuine and spontaneous humor. She has, moreover, the +broad outlook of life and the people that travel in many lands, +coupled with the keen observation and wit to record her impressions +that makes her book at once unique and captivating.</p> + +<p class='b'>THE HEART OF SILENCE. By Walter S. Cramp.<br /> +    <i>Richly bound. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>The scene of the opening part of this story is laid in Italy with +an American family, consisting of a retired manufacturer from the +United States, his wife and daughter, who is the heroine, and a +foster son. Around this family is woven a charming tale of love +and romance. Not a dull line.</p> + +<p class='b'>MY SOLDIER LADY. By Ella Hamilton Durley.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.25.</i></p> + +<p>This bright little book gives the other half of the correspondence +comprising that charming story, “The Lady of the Decoration,” +but is complete in itself and entirely independent and +original in conception and heart interest. Five editions and still +selling.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<p class='b'>THE TOBACCO TILLER. By Sarah Bell Hackley.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A strong and compelling romance woven about an industry and +placed in a section of the country that is attracting international +attention at the present time.</p> + +<p class='b'>IN THE TWILIGHT ZONE. By Roger Carey Craven.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A story of the South. It is instinct with ambitions, passions +and problems of its strongly drawn characters.</p> + +<p class='b'>THE DRAGNET. By Elizabeth B. Bohan.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A timely story dealing with the liquor question and municipal +reform. These topics are interwoven in a powerful story, in a fearless +way that will stimulate thought along these lines.</p> + +<p class='b'>CHANEY’S STRATAGEM. By Hannah Courtenay Pinnix.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.60.</i></p> + +<p>A striking piece of fiction. The sudden and unexpected turn +of Fortune’s Wheel, by which the heroine and the other characters +find their level, makes mighty interesting reading.</p> + +<p class='b'>TOMPKINSVILLE FOLKS. By Nettie Stevens.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Is a careful study of human nature in human life. The pathos +and charm of its rural setting and homely characters are drawn +with firm yet skilful touch.</p> + +<p class='b'>THE CAREER OF JOY. By Grace Eleanore Towndrow.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.25.</i></p> + +<p>Genuinely, tenderly, and with a pervasive charm impossible to +describe, the author tells the story of the old love, which returns +to the woman’s life after the fetters of a loveless marriage enchain +her. Which path shall she choose?</p> + +<p class='b'>THE VASSALAGE. By Adelaide Fuller Bell.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>The story is vivid, dramatic, picturesque, and the strong strange +psychic forces in the lives of the principal characters add a wholly +unique interest to the tale.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<p class='b'>THE BELL COW. By Bryant E. Sherman.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Decidedly a story of simple country life. The trials and +pleasures are those of the out-of-the-way places. There is plot +strong enough to keep the reader’s interest from cover to cover. +Humor, pathos and excitement are all here, but the most important +part is played by the Aunt Betsy, the old maid with the big heart.</p> + +<p class='b'>ALICE BRENTON. By Mary Josephine Dale.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>The author has drawn a vivid picture of Colonial Newport, with +her wealth and culture, spacious mansions and handsome grounds.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gale describes the sufferings and privations of the people +during those trying days, calls attention to the depredations of the +soldiers, and in the end makes love triumph over all obstacles. +The book has ingenuity in plot, and much interesting material.–<i>The News, Newport, R. I.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>THE DOOR WHERE THE WRONG LAY. By Mary E. Greene.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A story that will well repay the reading is “The Door Where +The Wrong Lay.” The plot is a strange and unusual one, and the +story is one which will linger in the memory long after many a +lighter tale is forgotten.–<i>Boston Times.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>A KNIGHT IN HOMESPUN. By John Charles Spoth.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A homely little tale of wholesome sentiment, bearing the title, +“A Knight In Homespun,” has its scene mainly in and about +Pocono Mountains in Eastern Pennsylvania. It is told through the +medium of the old clock, which for many years had ticked off the +time in the hall of the home of Dr. Henry Boosch, while it watched +the development of the human drama which went on in the household.–<i>New +York Times.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>UNCLE SIM. By Fred Perrine Lake.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A story with a charming rural setting is “Uncle Sim.” It +gives admirable portraiture of the types to be found in a country +village–pleasant, kindly, royal-hearted folk, whose acquaintance +is well worth the reader’s while.–<i>Boston Times.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>AT THE SIGN OF THE BLUE ANCHOR. By Grace R. Osgood.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>This tale of Colonial Days in New Jersey takes one among +charming people, through delightful and romantic scenes both in +the Old World and New.</p> + +<hr class='pb' /> + +<p class='b'>WHERE MEN HAVE WALKED. By H. Henry Rhodes.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Wild and varied as the ocean itself is this strong tale of pirate +deeds and hidden treasures.</p> + +<p class='b'>UP THE GRADE. By David W. Edwards.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A story of tender filial devotion that should be read by every +young man in the land. A tale of a strong, brave man and a true, +loving woman.</p> + +<p class='b'>THE TRAGEDY OF THE DESERTED ISLE. By Warren Wood.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A story woven about the Burr and Blennerhassett conspiracy. +Much has been written concerning this famous episode, but in this +book many hitherto and amazing unknown incidents are revealed.</p> + +<p class='b'>A COWBOY CAVALIER. By Harriet C. Morse.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>A Texas ranch is the background of a love story whose heroine +is an attractive Eastern girl, and her lover a brave cowboy cavalier, +giving pictures of rough and tragic customs that will soon be only +memories.–<i>McClurg’s Monthly Bulletin.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>THE JAYHAWKER. By John A. Martin.<br /> +    <i>Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50.</i></p> + +<p>Mr. Martin’s little story is well done and is worth while. His +characters are as real as the scenes he depicts, and the incidents +which go to embellish his plot are dramatic and full of excitement.–<i>Boston Herald.</i></p> + +<p class='b'>THE LAW OF THE RANGE. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Dolly's College Experiences + +Author: Mabel Cronise Jones + +Release Date: October 18, 2010 [EBook #33873] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOLLY'S COLLEGE EXPERIENCES *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.fadedpage.net + + + + + +[Illustration: Dolly.] + + + + +DOLLY'S COLLEGE EXPERIENCES + +BY + +MABEL CRONISE JONES + +The C. M. Clark Publishing Company + +BOSTON MDCCCCIX + + + + +Copyright, 1909 + +THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO, + +BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS + +U. S. A. + +All Rights Reserved + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + PAGE + +Dolly Frontispiece + +"My brother says that I can heat water splendidly" 9 + +Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as they + took their usual walk 35 + +There were music and singing later in the evening 62 + +A moment later Dolly had been introduced to Beth's father 107 + +"Let me introduce you to two more of your classmates" 156 + +"Father could really get the papers by mail quite as + well, I think, Mother" 206 + +"Aren't you going to say anything to me, Dolly?" 267 + + + + +DOLLY'S COLLEGE EXPERIENCES + + + + +DOLLY'S COLLEGE EXPERIENCES + + + + +CHAPTER I + + +Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Dolly looked around forlornly enough. + +Of course, she wanted to go to college, but for the first time she +realized how dreadful it was, to be away from all the home-folks. In +all those great buildings, with their hundreds of students, there was not +a soul that Dolly knew. + +Outside the door she could hear the old girls talking and chattering +together. But she was not an old girl. She was just an insignificant +little Freshman. No one took the least notice of her. + +Her father had put her on the train and had even come part way with her. +But the real loneliness commenced after she reached Westover. + +The college bus was there, and there was a good-natured man whom the +girls all hailed as Patrick, and who seemed to belong to the college. He +was evidently an expert at picking out the students, for when he caught +sight of Dolly, he had walked up to her respectfully, and had inquired +if she were not going to Westover College. + +Then he put her safely into the bus, took her checks and looked after +her bundles. A few moments later the bus was filled to overflowing with +girls, the most of them apparently old students, for they seemed well +acquainted with each other and were chattering like magpies. Some of them +had been on the same train as Dolly, and our poor little Freshman had +looked at them then with wistful, speculative eyes. But she had been too +shy to attempt any conversation with them. + +When they reached the college, all too soon for Dolly, she had hung back +irresolutely, while the rest rushed up and embraced the teachers who +stood in the reception room, ready to receive the newcomers. + +She was feeling quite left out in the cold, and wishing heartily that +she was back in the home-nest. Only for a moment, though. Her hand +was cordially taken, and she turned to find herself addressed by a +sweet-faced little woman, much shorter than Dolly herself, with gray +hair and kindly eyes. + +"I think this must be Miss Alden. Am I right?" + +"Quite right, but I do not see how you knew." + +"Your father telegraphed that you would come by this train, and you +see, my dear, that you are the only Freshman in the crowd, so that it +did not require much shrewdness on my part to pick you out. Now let +me introduce you to some of the girls. You will soon feel acquainted +here, I know. Margery," and as a tall, rather handsome girl turned +around, she added; "I want you to meet Miss Alden, one of our new +girls. Miss Ainsworth--and here are Miss Rummel, Miss Paterson and +Miss Graves. Margery, will you show Miss Alden to 77? Your room-mate +will not be here for several days yet. She is detained by her sister's +marriage, which will occur this week. I hope you will like her; we +tried to do our best in the arrangement of room-mates; next year, you +can select your own. Excuse me now." And she turned to another newcomer, +and Dolly followed Miss Ainsworth down the long corridor. + +"You will like Westover, I'm sure," Miss Ainsworth remarked sedately; +she evidently thought it her duty to make small talk, and act as Dolly's +temporary guardian. "Of course, you'll feel lonesome at first until +you get fitted in; all the girls do, but that soon wears off." + +"Are you a Senior?" queried Dolly innocently. Miss Ainsworth seemed +so very old and so very superior, that Dolly could only think of her as a +Senior. + +Her companion's cheeks flushed perceptibly as she answered stiffly; +"No, I am not a Senior yet. Here is your room, Miss Alden. The bedroom +on the right will be yours, I suppose, as I see that they have put your +trunk there. The one on the left will be your room-mate's, and you +will use this sitting-room in common." + +After a few more words Dolly's companion passed on, and the unfortunate +Freshman wandered dolefully into her bedroom and sat down on the edge +of the bed where we first saw her. + +As a rule, Dolly and tears were strangers, but just now poor Dolly felt +unutterably miserable. Not only was she homesick, but she felt outside +all the college fun and good camaraderie of the place. + +"I ought to unpack that trunk and take off my things," she told +herself, but she felt more inclined to run out of the door, back to the +depot and on board the first train bound for her home. + +"Well, of all the forlorn damsels I ever saw, you certainly are the +worst, and I thought you looked so full of fun when I noticed you +downstairs." + +Dolly glanced up in surprise, to see a merry face regarding her from the +doorway. The newcomer was much below medium height, with a very freckled +face, very red, curly hair, and a very good-natured expression. + +"Didn't you feel forlorn yourself last year?" retorted Dolly. "Or, +if you are a dignified Junior or Senior, I suppose you have forgotten +how poor little Freshmen feel, when they are dumped in with a lot of +strangers. I am just like a cat in a strange garret." + +"You are no stranger than I," and the newcomer ensconced herself in +the only rocking-chair that the room afforded. "I'm a Freshman like +yourself, only I got here last evening. I'm Elizabeth Newby, at your +service," and she made a sweeping bow. "I saw you come in and I thought +I'd make an early call, but I _did_ suppose you would have your things +off by this time." + +"It was awfully good of you to come," said Dolly gratefully. "I'll +get my things off and brush up a bit." She turned and looked suddenly +at her new acquaintance. "How does it come that you are not homesick? +Everything must be as strange to you as it is to me, but you look jolly +and happy." + +"I am," returned the other emphatically. "You may not know it, but +homesickness is a luxury in which only the fortunate can indulge. I'm +not troubled with it. Now tell me, can I help you with your trunk? My +things are all in order. When you have fixed up your room and had Patrick +put your trunk away, you will feel that you are here to stay, and you +will begin to be more comfortable in your mind." + +"If you don't mind helping me then," and Dolly commenced to tug at +her straps energetically. + +"I want to do it. I like to be poking into other people's affairs, it +keeps one from thinking." + +"Then you are homesick, after all?" and Dolly glanced up with twinkling +eyes. + +"No, I am not. I am only homesick because I am _not_ homesick, and that +is Greek or worse to you." + +Dolly gave her companion a keen look, but said no more. There was +evidently something in the background, and Dolly surmised that +Elizabeth's home-life, for some reason or other, was not as happy as it +should be. + +"What lovely, dainty things you have for your sitting-room!" and +Elizabeth held up an armful of pretty articles with honest admiration. +"My room looks as prim as an old maid's. I never thought of these +little accessories." + +"Those are what I had in my room at home, and Mother thought that I had +better bring them. They _will_ make these rooms look quite natural." + +"They just will. I wish we were room-mates, for I haven't an earthly +thing to trim up with, and neither has my room-mate." + +"Who is your room-mate? Do you know her? Is she nice?" + +"I don't know her. Her name is Margaret Ainsworth. She's a Sophomore, +and between ourselves I don't believe that we shall have much to do with +each other." + +"Then it was your room-mate who brought me here. I thought that she was +a Junior at least." + +"Only a Sophomore, my dear, and a conditioned one at that, though to +hear her talk you would suppose that she was taking a post-graduate +course." + +"Isn't it funny that she hasn't any little decorations for your +sitting-room, as she is an old student?" + +[Illustration: "My brother says that I can heat water splendidly."] + +Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. "I found out that she expected to +room with Charlotte Graves. They roomed together last year, you know, +just by chance. The Faculty put them together just as they are giving +us room-mates now, for I didn't know anyone with whom I wished to room +this year, and I suppose you didn't. Well, Miss Graves is the richest +girl here, and she had loads of beautiful things, so that their suite was +just a dream of beauty, according to my room-mate's account. It seems +that she was not as anxious to room with Miss Ainsworth again as Miss +Ainsworth was to room with her, and she quietly made arrangements to +have a room all to herself, and that is how it all happened. She was put +in with me at the last moment, to our mutual disgust, I expect." + +Dolly stopped in her unpacking. "I didn't know that anyone could room +alone." + +"You have to pay a steep price for the privilege, but Miss Graves can +afford it. What a dear chafing-dish. Can you cook with it?" + +"My brother says that I can heat water splendidly," and Dolly laughed. +"I don't think any girl with a brother is apt to grow conceited, +though Fred is a dear and would do anything in the world for me. I really +_can_ make lovely fudge, though, and very good tea. Mother was a little +afraid of fire because of the alcohol lamp, but I have promised to be +dreadfully careful. I have some chocolate in that box." + +"Let's make fudge tonight," said Elizabeth, enthusiastically. "That +will keep you from getting homesick. You can make it and I will eat it." + +"Can we do it? I don't know anything about the rules here yet." + +"There will not be many rules enforced this week. Professor Graydon told +me that much. She is the teacher to whom you were talking when you first +came in. I know I shall like her. I haven't made up my mind about the +others yet." + +"There, that is the last thing!" and Dolly drew a breath of relief, +"the trunks are empty anyway. What shall I do with them now, Miss +Newby?" + +"In the name of goodness, don't call me Miss Newby. I'm Elizabeth. +I'll let Patrick know that they are ready, and he will carry them off +to the trunk-room at once. I've only been here twenty-four hours, but +I've found out that this college would never run without Patrick. And +Patrick knows it." + +She started from the room on her self-appointed errand, but put her head +back to call out; "If you have any specially stunning gown, just get +it out. Tonight will be a good time to wear it. Hustle the rest of your +things away and dress." + +"Now, why--," commenced Dolly. But Elizabeth had vanished and Dolly +was questioning the empty air. + +"I suppose I had better do as she says," Dolly soliloquized. "I like +her immensely. I should be sitting on the bed dissolved in tears if +she had not come in. I wonder where she lives. Here I have told her +all about home, and Mother and Father and Fred, and she has not said +a word about herself. How long she is getting back." + +In fact, before Elizabeth returned, Dolly had put away all of her +belongings, and had donned a pretty white dress which the warm day +rendered appropriate. + +She was giving a last pat to her hair, when a knock came at the door, +and a moment later Elizabeth's face peered into the bedroom. + +"Oh, I see why you were so long returning. I concluded that you had +forgotten me and had gone off to help some other Freshman unpack." + +"No, thanks," and Elizabeth gave a little shrug that Dolly soon learned +to be characteristic. "I'm not in the missionary business. I just took +a fancy to you, and I saw that you had no friends here any more than +I did. We were two of a kind. Do you like my dress?" + +"Immensely. That shade of blue is just your color. But why are we +dressing up, please? Is this a daily performance?" + +"Hardly. The Sophomores are going to pay their respects to the new girls +tonight, and while there is nothing like hazing allowed here, there are +all sorts of tricks played that the Faculty never takes any notice of. +I thought that we might feel more ready for them if we had the moral +support of our best clothes." + +"How do you know so much? and what shall we do?" + +"I spent last evening in Professor Graydon's room, and she told me +everything that she thought a Freshman ought to know. If you want me to, +I will come over here and we can receive together. Your room is stunning +and we can certainly hold our own." + +"I thought we were going to make fudge." + +"So we shall, but we'll hide it when they come. Don't waste candy on +Sophomores, my dear." + +Dolly looked up with a sparkle in her eye. "What will they do?" + +"There's no telling. Nothing dreadful. Make us sing for them or recite, +or go through some absurdity." + +"If we refuse?" + +"They will simply let us alone, not only tonight, but during the rest of +the year. The best thing is to meet them good-naturedly, do what they +require, and turn the tables on them, if we can." + +"You must come here, of course. 'Tis a pity if a few Sophomores can +frighten us with their jokes. I know one thing that we can do, Elizabeth. +You see there is some advantage in having a brother." + + + + +CHAPTER II + + +"What? Tell me quickly. I would give almost anything to get ahead of +Margaret Ainsworth. I know that she will be one of those to come. You +must have done something, Dolly, to offend her, for she seems to meditate +vengeance on you." + +Dolly drew her brows together in a perplexed frown. "I asked if she were +a Senior, and she did--" + +Elizabeth shouted: "Of course she did. She doubtless supposed you were +trying to be sarcastic. Well, never mind. Hear that awful gong? Dinner +will be ready in five minutes now. Come down to the veranda, and I will +tell you who some of the people are." + +Dolly was quite ready to go, and as they ran lightly down the steps, +she confided in a whisper to Elizabeth her plan for the Sophomores' +discomfiture. + +"You are a genius; I am sure that will work! Hurrah! Oh, Miss Randall, I +want you to meet Miss Alden. Can't we sit at your table tonight?" + +"Of course you can, I shall be very glad to have you. Miss Alden, I know +that you are going to do fine work here, your entrance examinations were +most excellent." + +Then she passed on, leaving Dolly happy and Elizabeth surprised. "I +hadn't supposed that you were a bookworm and a student, and all that. +You don't look it." + +"Mother has always helped me and been so interested in my lessons. +It will be hard to study without her. She has always explained and +encouraged me. I shall miss her fearfully." + +"I suppose you will," said Elizabeth slowly, with a hard look on her +face that prevented further conversation on that point. + +The girls took whatever seats they wished at the table for the first few +days. The next week they would be given permanent places. + +With her new friend beside her, Dolly found the meal pleasant enough. + +Afterward, they hurried to Dolly's sitting-room and began their +preparations for making fudge. There was lots of fun and laughter over it. + +"How many do you think will come? I want just about enough pieces on +this plate to go around. If any should be left over, they might want us +to finish it, and I think that we may have had enough by that time." + +"I am sure that we shall," and Elizabeth nibbled away voraciously. +"How small you are making the pieces, Dolly." + +"No need of wasting anything. I want each one to have a piece small +enough so that she will put it all in her mouth at once. See? You did +not tell me how many guests we might expect." + +"About fifteen, I think. They go out in squads. All of them cannot +visit every Freshman, so they divide up. I heard them talking in our +sitting-room while I was dressing. They didn't know that I was there, +fortunately." + +"I'm going to shove that plate half under the paper, so--" suiting +the action to the word, "they will think we are hiding it from them. +Here are some pieces for us to nibble. Quick, sit down; take the candy in +your hand, I hear them coming." + +A knock at the door. + +"Come in." + +"Arise and open the door." + +Dolly smothered a giggle and glanced inquiringly at Elizabeth, who +nodded her head. So she crossed to the door and swung it wide. Fifteen +Sophomores in fantastic kimonos and stately head-dresses stood outside. + +"Freshies, we have come to inspect your premises. Stand aside while we +enter and examine you as regards your worthiness to remain within these +sacred precincts. Stand in front of us, so!" + +There was a moment's pause while the fifteen uninvited guests took +possession of the few chairs, window-seats and stools which the room +afforded. + +"Miss Alden, you may answer first. What is the chief duty of every +Freshman?" + +"To squelch the Sophomores," returned Dolly promptly. + +A deep groan sounded from all fifteen. "Wrong! Wrong! You have not the +first idea of your fundamental duties. We shall be obliged to send you +home, I fear. Miss Newby, answer!" + +"Most potent, grave and reverend Sophomores, the great duty of every +Freshman is to try and become a Sophomore herself, so that she may try +to impress unsophisticated Freshies with a sense of her own importance +and make everyone forget that she herself was nothing but a Freshman one +short year--" + +"Stop! Wrong! Wrong!" and a chorus of groans again broke forth. "The +obvious duty of every Freshie is to run errands for the Sophomores and +make life as pleasant as possible for them. Miss Alden, I see a banjo +on the table there. Sing something to us." + +Dolly picked up the instrument with a mock-humble bow and touched the +strings, a little uncertainly for a moment, but her touch soon became +firmer, and a malicious little twinkle appeared in her eye. + + "Oh, these Sophomores, vain Sophomores, + In all their swelling pride, + I would to them the giftie gie, + To see--" + +"Stop!" The fifteen rose majestically to their feet as Dolly, with +assumed meekness, dropped her instrument at her side. "You may expect to +hear from the faculty tomorrow. I regret that it is impossible for you +to be retained at this hall of learning. Your influence would doubtless +corrupt the other Freshmen, and teach them insubordination. You have +also been guilty of greediness. I see the remains of a repast which you +tried to conceal as we entered. You are ordered to pass that plate to +your superiors." + +Elizabeth demurely obeyed the command. The bits of fudge were small, +and there were just enough to go around. They were taken with great +stateliness and dignity, but a moment later the room was filled with +groans, coughs, shrieks and wrathful exclamations. + +"They would poison us!" "Let us be avenged!" "Choke them!" "Perish +the Freshmen!" "Water, minions! water!" + +But Dolly and Elizabeth had taken good care that there should be no water +at hand, so the unlucky Sophomores rushed away to their own rooms, +followed by the taunting laughter of the two Freshmen and many gratuitous +pieces of advice. + +"I wonder if they will try to pay us back," Dolly said, with sudden +gravity. + +"No, tonight ends it all; Professor Graydon told me so. The Sophomores +are allowed to air their new dignity this one evening, but nothing is +tolerated after tonight. I do not think they came out much ahead of us. +I must go now, Dolly, I wish I were your room-mate, but I presume that +you will have a much more congenial one than I would be." + +"I do not think so," Dolly said, with evident sincerity. "I have a +dreadful feeling whenever you mention her. Good-night, and thank you a +thousand times." + +The next few days were busy ones. Dolly had new studies planned out +for the term, and she found to her delight that she and Elizabeth had +elected the same courses. The two were congenial, though Elizabeth was +as reticent as Dolly was frank and open. Dolly had begun to hope that +her unknown room-mate would not arrive at all, but on Tuesday, when she +returned from her recitation in history, she found that Miss Sutherland +had appeared. + +In fact there was no doubt that she was there, and had been there for a +couple of hours at least. + +Dolly's dainty pink pillows, banners, and other trifles, had been +summarily displaced. She could see no vestige of them. The room was +now ornamented in a stiff sort of fashion with brilliant red tidies, +afghans, and other things which Dolly considered quite antediluvian. +The room had lost all of its dainty personality and prettiness. It +certainly looked very unattractive, and it was not much wonder that +Dolly drew a deep breath of disgust. + +The sound reached the ears of the newcomer, and she turned quickly. +Dolly's bright eyes took in every detail, the thick hair drawn back so +tightly and unbecomingly, the heavy brown dress, just the shade that +the girl with such a dark, sallow complexion should never have worn, +the cheap jewelry and the clumsy shoes. And she must room with this +girl instead of with Elizabeth--it was too bad, it was--and Dolly's +whole soul rose up in rebellion. + +"You are Miss Alden, aren't you? I am Mary Sutherland. I just came, +and I have been trying to get my things in order." + +"I see." Dolly glanced dryly around the room. "Where are my +belongings?" + +"I put them carefully on your bed, they were so pretty that it seemed a +shame to have them get soiled; red is more substantial than pink, and of +course, the two colors would not go well together--at least, I thought +not"--looking a little timidly at Dolly's unresponsive face. + +"No! I quite agree that pink and red don't harmonize, at least these +particular shades," and Dolly passed on to her bedroom and closed the +door. She sat down on her bed while angry tears rose in her eyes. She +was just beginning to make some pleasant acquaintances among the girls. +They liked to come to her pretty room and eat her fudge and drink her +tea. There had been several gay evenings. But how could she ever bring +them into such a room as this was now? It was worse than a nightmare. + +The clang of the gong reminded her that she must hurry to the lecture +on Roman art. + +She picked up her note-book and pencil, and rushed down the corridor. + +"Wait, oh, wait, my bonny maid," and Elizabeth caught her arm. "Why, +Dolly, you have been crying!" + +"Yes, I am an awful goose. But you see my room-mate has come, and--" + +"I saw her, she hardly strikes me as being your style, but she will be +quiet and inoffensive, I imagine." + +"Quiet and inoffensive?" Dolly gave a hysterical laugh. "Just wait +until you see my room; all of my pretty things are reposing on my bed +now, and that sitting-room is too awful to contemplate." + +"Dorothy Alden, are you in earnest?" + +"Yes, I am. Of course, I suppose I had taken possession of it rather +coolly, but at least it is half mine." + +"Didn't you give her to understand that?" + +"No, I didn't. I was very angry, and I remembered that Mother made +me promise to think twice before I acted, when I got furious. I shall +propose something, though, when I go back. We might take the room by +alternate weeks, or each of us trim a half of it. Which do you think +would be the better plan?" + +"Either is bad," Elizabeth said decisively. "Why, oh, why, were we not +put together? You could have had your things then in peace, and it would +have saved me all the bother I am having now. I didn't think about my +room before I came, and now that Miss Ainsworth has nothing to liven +us up with either, we look as prim as a Quaker meeting-house. I have +ordered some things, however, that will make us gorgeous. What do you say +to a yellow room?" + +"I say that it will be handsome if your room-mate leaves the arrangement +in your hands." + +"I made sure of that before I ordered anything," Elizabeth said, with +a wise nod. "She was very willing that I should do all I wished, and on +that understanding I went ahead." + +The girls had reached the lecture-room by this time, and further +discussion was impossible; but all through Professor Randall's talk, +Dolly's thoughts roamed to the room she had left. How could she +stand it? Dolly was exceedingly susceptible by nature to all artistic +effects, and anything inharmonious grated on her. + +She acknowledged to herself that Miss Sutherland did not seem aggressive, +and apparently she had not acted as she had done through any petty +spirit. As far as Dolly could judge, she was merely tactless and +tasteless. + +She and Elizabeth talked the matter over a little more as they walked +back to their rooms, but Elizabeth abstained from offering any advice. +"I'll go in and see how the place looks. I'm curious to meet Miss +Sutherland anyway." + +They found her sitting on the easiest rocking-chair, studying the college +catalogue. She rose quickly as the girls came in, and Dolly introduced +her friend. They tried to make the conversation general, but it was no +easy matter. Mary Sutherland would answer questions, and occasionally +ask one herself, but when the conversation took a wider range, she sat +by, looking out of place and constrained. + +There was a knock at the door, and Charlotte Graves entered, followed by +Winifred Paterson and Ada Rummel. They were all Sophomores, and had been +among the fifteen who had called on Dolly the first evening. + +They had swallowed the red pepper which Dolly had hid in the fudge as +best they could, and none of them bore any malice. "All things were fair +in love and college," as Charlotte Graves tersely remarked. + +The trio halted now on the threshold in open astonishment. + +"What have you been doing to your room, Miss Alden?" Winifred demanded +abruptly. "For a Freshman you showed most unusual taste, and you had +about the prettiest den out, but now--pardon me if I ask why this +thusness? It is quite too awful." + +Dolly carefully refrained from looking at her room-mate. Miss Paterson +was certainly frank to the verge of rudeness. + +"Pray have some seats, most august Sophomores. You see that red is more +serviceable than pink, and in view of the fact that we are liable to +have numerous visits from those who were Freshmen last year, and who +of course do not know how to treat delicate things with proper respect--" + +"Well, let me tell you one thing," Miss Graves interrupted, "you will +be troubled with precious few calls from anyone if you intend to make +this a permanent thing." + +Dolly's cheeks flushed. She must stop them at any cost. Despite her own +annoyance, she could not help feeling sorry for Miss Sutherland, who +evidently thought that she had made the room charming. She turned to +introduce her, but she was only in time to see her vanish into her own +bedroom. Dolly's quick ears caught the sound of a sob as the door closed. + +She forgot her own anger of an hour before and turned wrathfully on +her guests. "Commend me to Sophomores for superlative rudeness and +a total disregard of the feelings of others. These articles belong to +my room-mate. She just came. She hasn't met any of the girls yet, +and you have given her a beautiful welcome, haven't you?" Dolly's +cheeks burned like coals of fire. She spoke in a low tone so that her +words should not be heard in the adjoining room, but every syllable was +vibrant with feeling. + +The Sophomores looked ashamed. "Bring her out and let me apologize," +begged Winifred. + +"And make a bad matter worse? Not much. We will all go out for a walk +until dinner-time. I hope," added Dolly, severely, "that when I become +a Sophomore I shall not forget all my manners." + +"Come, my dear, cool down," Charlotte Graves said languidly, putting +her own arm through Dolly's. "It strikes me that you have forgotten +your manners already to talk so to your own guests." + +There was a ripple of laughter at this, and Dolly looked a trifle +shamefaced. "I was making general remarks," she said loftily. + +"Come on, we shall forgive you this once, and Winifred shall eat +humble-pie for your room-mate's benefit at the first opportunity. As +class president I decree it." + +There by tacit consent, the subject dropped. The girls had a pleasant +walk, and when the dinner-gong sounded, Dolly hurried up to her room; +she knew that she would not find her room-mate very congenial, but at +least she would not be so selfish as to let Miss Sutherland go down to +the dining-room alone, on this first night. + +As she opened the door of their common sitting-room she stopped in +amazement. + + + + +CHAPTER III + + +She looked around with a gasp of surprise, and then rubbed her eyes to +make sure she was not dreaming. All of her own dainty trifles were back +in place. Every vestige of the obnoxious red decorations had vanished. + +Dolly felt a sudden moisture in her eyes. The poor girl! She knocked +lightly on Miss Sutherland's door. There was a faint stir inside, but +no response. Dolly hesitated, and then boldly opened the door. + +"Excuse me, please, for coming in when you did not ask me to, but I was +sure you were here, and you must come down to dinner at once." + +"I am not going down tonight." + +"Indeed you are," Dolly said, after one comprehensive look at the +mottled, tear-stained face before her. "The students must all be on +hand promptly for meals. I cannot take you to my table, for that is full +now, and we have been given our permanent places for the term, but I +will introduce you to Professor Newton; there is a vacant place at her +table, I know. You will like her, I am sure." + +Miss Sutherland gave her room-mate a curious look, started to say +something, changed her mind, and then got up from the bed and commenced +to brush her hair back with nervous, impatient fingers. + +"Don't do that," Dolly ejaculated suddenly, "can't you see how much +better you look when your hair lies loosely, so as to soften the outlines +of your face? Here, give me the brush." + +She took the brush and comb from Miss Sutherland's hand, pushed her down +into a chair, and worked rapidly for two or three minutes. "There, the +last bell will ring in a second and there is no time to fuss with it +longer tonight, but can't you see how much better it looks? You have +such lovely hair that it is too bad to spoil it." + +"Mother always liked it combed straight back," was all Miss Sutherland +vouchsafed, speaking in a very distant tone. + +Dolly flushed. Would she never learn to be less impetuous, she wondered, +and to mind her own business? She felt like a child of three, whose ears +had been soundly boxed. + +"There was no need, Miss Sutherland, for you to change the arrangement +of the sitting-room. Of course you have rights there as well as I." +The matter had better be settled now, Dolly thought, at once and forever. +"I suppose red and pink would hardly answer in the same room at the +same time, but we might agree on some third color together, and you fix +part of the room and I part, or else you could have charge of the +sitting-room one month and I the next. Which plan would you prefer?" + +Dolly listened anxiously for the reply. It did not seem probable that +her room-mate would feel that she could afford to buy new furnishings, +and how could Dolly ever stand the red atrocities for five months, even +if her beloved belongings were to be used for the other five? + +There was no hesitancy in Miss Sutherland's answer. "I can't afford +to waste any more money on things for my room, and I shan't put up my +mother's work for those fools to laugh at, so I guess the sitting-room, +as you call it, will likely stay as it is." + +Dolly felt uncomfortable. Miss Sutherland had a way of putting things +that made one seem very small. It was clear, from the tone of her voice, +that she worshiped her mother, and Dolly could see how the ridicule of +her mother's handiwork had hurt the girl's feelings. + +"You must remember," she said gently, "that the sitting-room is +as much yours as mine. Forgive me if I had seemed to take complete +possession of it before you came." + +"That won't matter, I guess; I don't suppose I shall be in it much, +anyway. I don't seem to belong there." + +The dinner-gong sounded at that moment, and Miss Sutherland went into +the hall, Dolly following in a very perturbed frame of mind. "I will +take you to Professor Newton now," she remarked as they reached the +dining-room door. + +"I don't reckon that you need to, I know Professor Newton," Miss +Sutherland returned, with the queer little smile that Dolly again failed +to note. + +"Oh, you met her when you came, did you? Good-bye, then, for a few +minutes," and Dolly crossed the room to Miss Randall's table, where +Elizabeth was waiting for her. Their seats were next each other, and +after the meal had fairly commenced, Dolly told her all that had +transpired up in her room. + +Elizabeth gave a soft whistle. "I pity you, my dear; you see you have +a tender conscience, and you are going to bother yourself about Miss +Sutherland all of the time. Now, if I were you, I should never give +her another thought, especially as your room has returned to its normal +condition." + +"You slander yourself," Dolly retorted, "didn't you act the part of a +good Samaritan to me?" + +"Oh, you--you are different! Don't you know that you are going to +be one of the most popular girls here? You are pretty and bright, and +friendly with everyone." + +"Hush up, Beth." + +"How came you to call me that?" + +Elizabeth's tone was queer, and Dolly turned to look at her. + +"'Beth,' do you mean? It is often a nickname of Elizabeth, you know, +and I have always loved the name since the days of Miss Alcott's +'Little Women.' Don't you like it?" + +"Yes, I like it, but no one has called me by it for years, and when you +said it just now, I felt absolutely startled." + +"I will not use it again if you would rather I did not." + +"I would rather that you did, however," and then Elizabeth joined in +the general conversation around the table. Dolly wondered if she did it +to avoid further questioning. + +The college soon settled down to the regular routine of work. Before a +month had passed, the Freshmen knew who their best students were, and who +stood a chance of being elected class officers. The other three classes +had held their elections at the end of the first fortnight, their old +officers holding over until that time. + +It was an unwritten law, however, that the Freshmen should wait for their +class elections until Thanksgiving time; that would afford opportunity +for them to get acquainted with each other, and to determine who were +the most suitable candidates. + +[Illustration: Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as they took +their usual walk.] + +It was an all-important subject in the eyes of the Freshmen, and so, not +unnaturally, Beth and Dolly were discussing it one day as they took their +usual walk. + +"I believe that Margaret Hamilton will be elected president," predicted +Dolly. "She is so tall and handsome, she would be such a magnificent +president." + +"She knows it," returned Beth dryly. "She has been posing for it ever +since the term opened. She dresses for it, talks for it, and is always +working for it--not openly, but in a hundred little subtle ways." + +"You don't like Margaret." + +"Not to any great extent, I'll confess. I would much rather see you +class president." + +"Me? I haven't any dignity, and you know it." + +"Well, you have other qualifications that are quite as desirable." + +"I'm out of the question, so stop talking about it. There goes Miss +Hamilton now. I wonder why she always turns down that lane? It is a +private one, you know, and I'm sure she has no permission to go to the +house every day." + +"I'm positive she doesn't even know the people," Beth said, staring +after her classmate. "I am consumed with curiosity. What do you suppose +she does want, anyway?" + +"I have not the faintest idea, and I really do not suppose that it +concerns us, anyway. What do you think?" + +"Don't be snubby! Margaret Hamilton is queer in some ways, though none +of you seem to have discovered it but myself." + +"That simply shows what an imagination you have. I must go into the +library now and scribble a note to Fred. I don't see when you get +your home letters written, Beth. I must send one to Father and Mother +twice a week, or they would think that I was sick and rush on here: and +Fred, off at Harvard, demands one just as often. I told him that I +would write as long as he did, but that when he commenced to shirk on his +letters to me, I would stop. So far he has done remarkably well, and +Mother likes me to write him often, not mere notes, you know, but long, +chatty letters; she thinks that home-letters help to keep boys out of +temptation." + +"I presume they do," said Beth soberly, as if struck by a new +thought. "Possibly it would not hurt me to write to Roy, he is off at a +preparatory school." + +"Have you a brother? I didn't know it." + +"I have not been much more communicative than Margaret Hamilton, have +I? But I hardly imagine that our reasons are the same for keeping so +quiet: If there is time after our letters are finished, I'll give you +a biographical sketch of our family. Roy is my half brother, I have no +own brothers or sisters." + +And then Beth commenced to talk of something else as if she repented her +momentary confidence, and the girls went in to write their letters. + +Beth finished first. "There, the surprise that will strike Roy when he +reads that letter may bring on an apoplectic fit. 'Twill be the very +first letter he ever had from me." + +"Has he been away from home long?" + +"This is his second year. I believe that you are aware of the fact that +I live in Philadelphia. Father is a lawyer, and he isn't a poor one, +either. He makes considerable money, but I have my own money that was +my mother's." + +"Have you any other brothers beside Roy?" + +"As I said, I haven't any brothers or sisters really. Roy is ten, Hugh +is eight, and Nell is three. I think Roy is far too young to send away +to school, and I know that his mother is of the same opinion. But Father +seemed to think that it was best." + +"What do you call your stepmother, Beth?" + +"I do not think I ever called her anything in speaking to her. Of +course, I call her Mrs. Newby when I allude to her, but that is very +seldom." + +"Isn't she nice, Beth? I don't mean to be impertinent, but you know +that I care for you a great deal, and I cannot help feeling concerned +about everything regarding you." + +"You couldn't be impertinent if you tried, Dolly, and I would answer +your question if I could. I really don't know how she would appear to +an outsider. You must go home with me sometime and judge for yourself. +She is a perfect lady, and that is about all that I feel qualified to +say." + +Beth had talked all that she cared to on the subject, and Dolly wisely +let the matter drop. Beth had told her no more than any mere acquaintance +of the family's could have repeated. She had let Dolly know something +about her family, but nothing about her feelings. It was months before +the subject ever came up again. + +As Thanksgiving time approached, the Freshmen became very much +excited over the approaching election. Several girls were mentioned +in connection with the class presidency, notably Margaret Hamilton +and Dolly herself. Abby Dunbar and Grace Chisholm would also be +candidates in all probability. + +Beth was intensely interested over the affair, and Dolly suspected her +of doing considerable electioneering. It became more and more evident, +as the time drew nearer, that Miss Hamilton and Dolly Alden would poll +the most votes. Dolly tried to keep cool and unconcerned. It was a great +surprise to her that her name should even be mentioned in this connection. + +"But you would like it--you know you would like it!" insisted Beth as +they went over the question for the final time in Dolly's room. That was +at noon on Monday, the election would be held that evening. + +"Why, yes," said Dolly honestly, "I would like it if it comes to me +naturally, but I will not beg any of the girls to vote for me. That +would spoil it all. If the girls prefer Miss Hamilton, she ought to be +elected. She would make a much better presiding officer than I." + +"I don't think so, do you, Miss Sutherland?" and Beth turned to +Dolly's room-mate who was the only other person present. + +Dolly broke in impetuously. "Don't ask Mary embarrassing questions. +She doesn't have to vote for me just because we chance to room together, +and, of course, she knows that Miss Hamilton would make a better +president than I. By the way, why don't you two drop formality and +say 'Elizabeth' and 'Mary?' It is quite time you did so." + +"I shall be very glad to do so, if I may be permitted," Beth said. Then +as she caught a slight smile on Mary's face, she added, "Very well, +that weighty matter is settled for the remainder of the college course. +You see, I did not dare to say 'Mary' so familiarly to one who is such +a wonderful scholar in biology as you." + +"That is the only thing I _do_ know, so please do not make fun of me." + +"Gracious, I would never dare to make fun of you! We all hold our breath +with awe when you recite. Really, Mary, don't look so hurt and annoyed. +We do admire you tremendously. That is such an unusual branch for a girl +to fancy." + +"You had better talk about the class election, I think," said Mary +decidedly. + +"Why? do you think it will be close?" + +"Miss Hamilton's friends are working hard. Lots of the girls had no +special preferences, but I think all of those will vote for Miss Hamilton +now." + +Beth groaned. "I am an idiot to sit still here. I shall go right out in +the highways and byways of this building, and see if I cannot accomplish +something myself." + +"You will stay here, Beth." + +"I will not." + +In the midst of the good-humored scrimmage that followed, the lunch-gong +sounded, and the girls hurried to their rooms to freshen up a wee bit +before going to the dining-room. + +It was apparent early in the evening that Miss Hamilton's friends felt +confident of victory. Their plans were well laid, and one of their number +was promptly elected chairman. + +The preliminary business was gotten out of the way very speedily. +Margaret Hamilton was nominated for the class president by Florence +Smith. Beth nominated Dolly, and then Abby Dunbar, Grace Chisholm and +Bessie Worth were quickly nominated by their friends. The tellers +distributed papers and pencils and the balloting commenced. + +Dolly found herself actually trembling with excitement. What fun it would +be if she could telegraph to Fred and sign her name, "Dorothy Alden, +President, Class '09." + +"I wish I were one of those tellers," murmured Beth. "It is simply +maddening to sit here and do nothing. Hush, there they come, Dolly. Oh, +I do hope that you were elected." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + + +The faces of the tellers told nothing as they entered the room, carrying +the little slip of paper that meant so much to these Freshmen. The +chairman rapped loudly for order, and a pin could have been heard drop +while the result was read: + + Miss Hamilton . . . . 145 votes + Miss Alden . . . . . 145 " + Miss Dunbar . . . . . 10 " + Miss Chisholm . . . . 9 " + Miss Worth . . . . . 6 " + +"We'll have to take another ballot," Beth said in a low tone +excitedly. "How close it is! Oh, Dolly, I do hope that you will get it." + +The tension was growing too much. Sharp things were said in undertones, +and a little bitterness was evident in the remarks that were made and +the suggestions that were offered. Dolly sat back quietly, a troubled +look on her face. Even if she were elected, half of the class would be +more or less opposed to her. There would certainly be two factions. What +could she do? What was the _right_ thing to do? What would her mother +advise? + +"I wonder if I ought to withdraw my name?" Dolly said to herself, +as another acrimonious remark was made by one of Margaret Hamilton's +admirers. "I have just as much right to run as she has, and, if she is +elected I shall not be hateful to her. I shall congratulate her, and do +all that I can to help her. I would like to be president, and yet--" + +The tellers had returned again. The result was announced amid a +breathless silence. + +"Miss Hamilton, 157; Miss Alden, 157," announced the chairman of the +tellers. "As there are 315 present, it is quite evident that someone +did not vote." + +Obeying a sudden impulse, Dolly rose to her feet. + +"Madam Chairman, I did not cast any vote, and while it may be a little +irregular for me to do so now, after the result has been announced, I +hope that I may be accorded that privilege. If so, I cast my vote for +Miss Hamilton." + +For a moment no one spoke or seemed to take in the full meaning of +Dolly's generous speech. Then there was a deafening uproar, and the +room was filled with wild cheers. Dolly had done a fine thing, and the +girls were quick to show their appreciation of it. + +As soon as the hubbub had partially subsided, Dolly was nominated for the +vice-presidency and unanimously elected. The rest of the meeting went +off smoothly. Something in Dolly's action had touched the better nature +of the girls, and they all felt secretly ashamed of their momentary +bitterness and injustice. Beth was elected recording secretary, and the +other offices were filled without ill feeling or jealousy. + +After the meeting Margaret Hamilton went straight to Dolly. "I want to +thank you for my election," she said, with outstretched hand. "You are +the most generous girl I ever knew. I was glad to be elected," with a +look in her eyes that Beth noted, but could not understand. "But I do +hope that sometime I can help make _you_ president. I shall certainly +not forget what you did." + +They talked it over afterward in Dolly's room, girl-fashion. "There was +no sense in your doing that," Beth said bluntly. "Of course Margaret +Hamilton voted for herself; if you had voted for yourself at first, you +would have been elected. Don't you see?" + +"And don't you see how much feeling there would have been in the class? +I would much rather be vice-president and be elected unanimously the +way I was, than to be president twenty times over. We can't afford to +start our Freshman year with factional feelings, can we, Mary?" + +Dolly was in the habit of appealing to Mary whenever she was present. +She had discovered that Mary Sutherland had a great fund of common sense, +and then, too, she did not like her room-mate to feel ignored. She +noticed that of late Mary was trying to do her hair up as Dolly had +done it for her that first night. She had not yet become expert in the +process, but the result was much more satisfactory than before. Dolly +noted, too, little changes in dress that softened the harsh outlines and +lent a little color to her face. She longed to offer advice sometimes, +but the remembrance of the first night restrained her. She would not +invite any snubs. If Mary Sutherland wished her help, Dolly would give +it willingly, but she was not going to make any advances again. And yet +that was just what her shy, diffident room-mate was longing to have +her do. She had not meant to repulse Dolly that first night, but she +had been feeling hurt and grieved then, her ideals were all shattered, +and out of the depths of a heart loyal to her poor hardworking mother, +had come the remark that made Dolly draw back, and that kept her from +ever proffering assistance or suggestions now. + +She and Mary saw comparatively little of each other, considering that +they were room-mates. Both were Freshmen, but while Dolly and Beth were +taking the classical course, Mary was taking the scientific. Mary's +recitations, for the most part, came during Dolly's study hours. Of +course there were the evenings, but some way Mary was very seldom in +the room during the evening. Dolly often wondered where she spent the +time, for she had no intimate friend. She was careful, however, not to +question her. They had never reached a degree of intimacy that would +permit that. + +Today Mary seemed more companionable than usual, and Dolly found, to her +astonishment, that her taciturn room-mate had been quite as disappointed +as Beth over the outcome of the elections. However, she was more ready +than Beth to acknowledge that Dolly had done the only thing that +could have secured class harmony and good fellowship. + +On Wednesday noon college would close for the balance of the week. Those +students who lived near enough could go home to eat their Thanksgiving +dinners, the rest would stay at the Hall and get up such impromptu +entertainments as the occasion suggested and their genius could devise. +Dolly was one of the fortunate ones who could go home. Mary lived west +of the Rocky Mountains, and Beth seemed to have no desire to go home. +Dolly was wild over the prospect. Fred was coming home from Harvard, +and she could stay until the early morning train on Monday. "It is +worth getting up at four o'clock," she announced decidedly. "Oh, +by the way, I'll send Fred a telegram signed 'Vice-President Class +'09.' That doesn't sound as big as 'President' would, of course, +but it will do. Patrick will take it down to the office for me. Blessed +Patrick." She scratched off her message humming gaily: + + "Hurrah! hurrah! oh, jubilation! + Two more days and then vacation; + No more Latin, no more French, + No more sitting on a hard wooden bench." + +She turned suddenly and caught an expression of utter homesickness and +loneliness on her room-mate's face. Beth was looking hard and bitter, +a look that Dolly had come to know and dread. She mentally anathematized +herself for talking of home before these two girls. Then a brilliant +thought struck her. + +"I have a bit of news for you," she announced briefly. "It may be +of interest to you. The fact is, you are both going home with me on +Wednesday." + +Her companions stared at her. "Don't be a goose, Dolly. 'Tis very good +of you to propose it, but your father and mother, to say nothing of that +brother of yours, will want all of your time. They will not care to have +strangers there whom they must entertain." + +"They will not entertain you, my dear. I am taking you to entertain a +couple of boys whom Fred proposes taking home. Don't you see how useful +you can make yourselves?" + +"Elizabeth could," Mary Sutherland replied quietly, but with a certain +wistfulness. "I would be no help at all. I never could talk to boys; +then, I have no clothes to wear, and you would be ashamed of me." + +"If you cannot entertain boys, you must learn to do it before you are +a week older. No one expects college girls to have many clothes, so that +part of the question is disposed of. I am going to send an extra telegram +to Mother now, so that she will be sure to get a large turkey. I don't +want you to go hungry when you eat your Thanksgiving dinner with me." + +"But, Dolly--" + +"Oh, will you please be still? Both of you? You interrupt me." + +"You are wasting your money by sending that telegram, and your strength +in writing it," said Beth coolly, "for I, at least, am not going." + +But Dolly had a very persuasive way of her own, and in the end both Beth +and Mary Sutherland succumbed, the latter, however, not without sundry +misgivings. "You know that my dresses are old-fashioned and I cannot +afford any new ones. Will you not be ashamed of me?" + +"Of course not," and while that was perfectly true, Dolly knew that she +could not take the same pride in introducing Mary that she could in +introducing stylish, winning Beth; for Beth, despite her red hair, was +strikingly pretty. Her freckles had disappeared with the summer, and +her gowns always fitted to perfection. She could play and sing and act. +There was no doubt, at all, but that she would prove very popular with +Fred's chums. Beth was small and slender, her eyes were a marvelously +deep blue and her complexion fair. Mary was tall, dark and awkward. Her +hair was thick, and, properly arranged, showed its full beauty. But Mary +knew nothing of the art of dressing. She felt it, and did not want her +friend to be ashamed of her. She went to the point directly, which was +characteristic of her, when she had once made up her mind on a point. + +"Will you tell me what dresses to take, and can you give me any hints +about fixing my things up? Of course, I have not the clothes that you +and Elizabeth have, but if you will help me, I will try to do the best +I can with my limited wardrobe." + +Dolly studied a moment in silence. "White always looks well, even if it +is simple. You have a couple of white dresses. They are laundered, I +know. Take both of them along, you will need them for dinner dresses. +Father always likes us to dress a little for dinner. He says it rests +him to come home and see Mother and me with something pretty on, and +we are quite ready to humor him. Then--I think--yes--I am sure that +you had better wear your blue for a travelling dress. You'll not need +anything else, for we shall be gone such a little time. Have you bright +ribbons? Never mind if you haven't. We shall all draw on Mother's +stock, she is used to that sort of thing, and doesn't mind a bit." + +"I must go down town today to buy a hat. Would you very much mind going +with me to help?" + +"Not at all. I just love to buy things, but Beth and I have been down +town so often lately that Miss Newton may refuse permission." + +"I'll fix that part," Mary said quietly. + +"You will? How confidently you say that. Professor Newton is very nice, +my dear, and I adore her, but I don't imagine that she is very easily +'fixed.'" + +Miss Sutherland looked amused. "I will go and speak to her now," was +all she said. + +She came back with the desired permission, and the two went off gaily, +while Beth went to her room to write to Roy. To Beth's great surprise, +Roy had answered that first letter of hers very promptly, and though his +letter had been the short, unsatisfactory kind that boys always write, +especially boys as young as Roy, Beth had been touched and pleased at +his evident delight over the fact that she had written to him. Since +then her missives went regularly. She felt sorry for the homesick lad. +"I wonder if Dolly's father would have sent Fred off at that age," +she said to herself. "I am anxious to see Dolly's people. Shall I like +them? Well, the vacation is not long, anyway." + +No, it would not be long, and yet there would be plenty of time in it +for the happening of various things of more or less importance to the +college lassies. + + + + +CHAPTER V + + +When the train on Wednesday evening halted for a moment at the first +suburban station outside Dolly's city home, she gave a little shriek of +surprise and delight. A moment later three young men entered the Pullman +where Dolly and her friends were seated. + +One of the young men was instantly pounced upon by Dolly and given +an enthusiastic reception; meanwhile his two companions stood back +smilingly, and proceeded to scrutinize Dolly's companions very closely. + +"Oh, dear, where shall we begin with the introductions? We have all got +to be introduced, I see. Well, this is my brother, Fred, Miss Newby and +Miss Sutherland. He is really very nice, girls. I have brought him up +quite properly." + +"The bringing up was altogether the other way, as I chance to be a +couple of years my sister's senior. Now, boys, come forward." A moment +later and the girls had formally made the acquaintance of "Mr. Martin" +and "Mr. Steele." + +"I told the mater to let us meet you, and she finally consented, though +she made us promise not to loiter on the way. We got here this morning, +you know." + +"How jolly, Fred, and oh! how good it is to be at home once more," +Dolly said, as the train came to a standstill in the great station. +"Let us walk up, we can get there in ten minutes and we can talk so much +better that way. Tell me about your friends, Fred." + +"There's not time to tell you very much, but I'll give you the main +points. Steele is working his way through college. He is one of the most +popular men there. He hasn't a near relation in the world. He was +born somewhere out West. His father took a claim; dry seasons, big +mortgage and prairie fires killed the mother and the father, too. There +wasn't a cent left for Bob. He has done about everything that a boy +could do, I guess, and he has lived in every large city between here +and Kansas. He was three years in Chicago, and managed to graduate +from the High School there. Did jobs for some millionaire night and +morning for his board and a dollar a week. Wherever he lived he went +to school. That's how he managed to prepare for college." + +"But how does he do now?" + +"He won a scholarship, and then he is steward of our club. He does +private tutoring and half a dozen other things. He'll get along. He had +more invitations for Thanksgiving, I'll wager, than any other fellow +in college." + +"And Mr. Martin? Talk fast. We are almost home. You know all about the +girls, for I told you all that I could think of in my letters." + +"There isn't so much to tell about Martin, Dolly. He comes from one of +the oldest families in Boston, has lots of money, and plenty of brains, +but he is fearfully lazy. What he needs--" + +But Fred's sentence was destined to remain unfinished, for just then the +sextette came in sight of Dolly's home, and Dolly spied in the doorway +the person whom she most loved on earth. With one spring she vanished +up the walk and darted into her mother's arms. + +It was all a merry hubbub for a time. Dolly's mother seemed to Beth +just an older and more mature type of Dolly herself. Dolly's father +was there, too, and the greeting given the two strange girls was cordial +enough to make them feel at home and to dispel all restraint. + +"You boys must try to amuse yourselves without us for a little while," +said Mrs. Alden, her arm still around Dolly. "I am going to take the +girls upstairs now, and by the time we come down, dinner will be served." + +"Your old room is ready for you, Dolly, just as you left it; I have put +your friends in the two little rooms across the hall. I supposed that you +would want to be near each other." + +"You are correct, as usual, Motherdie. Come in and help me dress now. +You always used to put the finishing touches on for me, you know. Leave +your doors open, girls, so that we can talk to one another." + +"I like your friends," Dolly's mother said quietly, when the two found +themselves alone later. "Miss Newby doesn't look very happy, and there +is an expression on her face that I do not like to see on so young a +girl. I think that Miss Sutherland has latent possibilities about her." + +"Yes, and they are almost all latent as yet, but you can help to bring +them out, I know. By the way, Mother, I want to brighten her up a bit. +She must make a good impression on the boys this first night. Have you +any rose-colored ribbons? Just put them on her, won't you? There's a +dear. She cannot tie a bow any more than a sparrow can." + +"You do not need me any more?" + +"No, thanks. Oh, it is so blessed to be home, Mother. I'm going to your +room at bedtime for a long talk. Will I do?" + +"Very well," and Mrs. Alden looked with pardonable pride on the tall, +graceful figure of her daughter, straight as an arrow; the fair, happy +face, sunny and sweet, the light curling hair, the dainty white dress and +the knots of blue ribbon scattered over it, made a picture of which any +mother might well feel proud. + +When Dolly went into Mary's room, she stopped in genuine surprise. +"How pretty you do look, Mary. I am proud of you." And yet "pretty" +was hardly the correct adjective to apply to her room-mate. Mary's +face was fine, and now that she was dressed with some taste, the +possibilities of future beauty became apparent. But it was by no means +a handsome face, though it might become so in later years. + +Beth came in trailing a white cashmere behind her. Dolly laughed +mischievously. "Beth thinks that she can add several inches to her +height by wearing long dresses. She does it on every possible occasion." + +Beth retorted merrily, and the four went downstairs, where they found the +three boys as well as Dolly's father awaiting them rather impatiently. + +There was plenty of lively conversation, in which everyone took part. It +was easy to see that Dolly was the light of the house, and that she was +woefully missed by her home people. + +Rob Steele proved to be a good talker. He had been through so much in +the course of his short life, that he had an endless fund of stories on +hand for almost any occasion. He was not at all conceited, but he talked +well and easily. + +"You must have acquaintances all over the United States," Beth +exclaimed at last. "Aren't you always seeing people that you know?" + +"Not often; you see, I was hardly in a position to make acquaintances, +Miss Newby. I was doing all sorts of odd jobs, and while I will doubtless +remember the faces of the persons for whom I worked, they will not +recall me, and would certainly not claim acquaintanceship. However, I +did see a young lady on your train whose face was so familiar to me +that I bowed involuntarily." + +"I noticed you speaking to that stunning girl all dressed in brown. Who +is she, Bob?" + +"Her name is Hamilton--Miss Margaret Hamilton. I knew her just casually +in Chicago, where I stayed longer than I ever did in any other place +after Father died. We were in the same class, that is, we graduated the +same year. I saw nothing much of her at school, but I frequently caught +glimpses of her when I was sent to old Worthington's on some errand." + +"Was she a relation of that rich old Worthington who died two years +ago?" + +"No relation, she was the daughter of his housekeeper, a very nice +girl, too. Rather proud, I fancied, but thoroughly free from nonsense +and silly sentimentalism." + +It was some moments before Dolly dared to glance at her friends. + +There were significant glances interchanged, but no comments were made, +and Dolly's people did not surmise then, that the young woman under +discussion had been Dolly's successful rival for the class presidency. + +There were music and singing later in the evening, and Beth felt that she +knew for the first time, perhaps, what home-life might really mean. + +After the girls had slipped into their dressing-gowns that night, they +ran over to Dolly's room to discuss the subject that was just then +uppermost in the minds of them all--Margaret Hamilton. They halted at +the door, however, for there was Dolly enjoying a comfortable chat with +her mother. + +[Illustration: There were music and singing later in the evening.] + +"Come in, girls, I've just been telling Mother all about Margaret. I +always tell her everything, you know, and she has just asked if Margaret +ever made any statements at variance with the real truth about herself. +It is no disgrace to be poor, and I hope that we are not snobs enough to +care for that part of it; but has she been trying to pass herself off for +something that she is not?" + +There was a little silence. Mary Sutherland was the first to speak. "I +never saw much of Miss Hamilton, and so I do not know what she is in +the habit of saying about herself. The only time that I ever heard her +mention the past, was when Miss Raymond asked her where she lived. She +replied that her home had been in Chicago, but that death had broken +it up. There was nothing more said." + +"Very possibly all of that was strictly true," Mrs. Alden said +thoughtfully, "and she certainly was under no special obligation to tell +every student at Westover her private affairs. But how does she have +the means to go through college? Dolly tells me that she dresses very +nicely, although not extravagantly. I can see how she would prefer +to keep some facts to herself. Girls are not as tolerant as boys in some +particulars. Mr. Steele is popular at Harvard, despite his poverty and +struggles; but you know very well that a girl, with similar experiences, +would be unmercifully snubbed at Westover." + +"And you think--" + +"I do not know your friend, or perhaps I should say your classmate, as +I see Miss Newby frowning over the word 'friend' so it is not easy +for me to draw conclusions, but if she has merely kept still, and been +reticent on her past life, I do not see that she is open to censure. +Of course, if she has been pretending to be what she is not, that is a +totally different affair." + +"She has always been very careful, Mrs. Alden, to say as little as +possible about herself. I noticed it, and commented on the fact to +Dolly, but I do not imagine that anyone else noticed it. As far as my +observation has gone, she has told no untruths. But she certainly did +seem accustomed to all the little luxuries that rich people have. One +could notice it at table and in a hundred little ways." + +"Doubtless she was accustomed to many of those things, if her mother was +housekeeper for Mr. Worthington. He was one of the richest men in the +West, and Miss Hamilton would have had an opportunity in his house, if +she were at all adaptable, of becoming thoroughly familiar with all such +little niceties. Even at the housekeeper's table there was certainly +plenty of opportunity for Miss Hamilton to grow perfectly familiar with +the ways of the rich." + +"But where is her mother, and where did her money come from?" + +"Those are questions that we can't answer, so we might as well drop +them. I wonder where she was going?" + +"Oh, didn't you know? Helen Raymond asked her to spend the Thanksgiving +vacation at her home." + +Mrs. Alden leaned forward, a serious look on her face. "Girls, if I +were you, I should not mention this subject at school. Miss Hamilton is +your class president, she will be your president for a year to come. You +want everything smooth and harmonious, don't you?" + +"Of course we do, Mrs. Alden, and we will keep perfectly mum, but if +Dolly had only been sensible and voted for herself, there would not be +any such situation as there is at present." + +Dolly laughed. "Beth never will learn to recognize some facts; now, for +instance, that subject was finally settled long, long ago." + +"I don't see--" began Beth. + +But Mrs. Alden rose hastily to her feet. "You girls must all get to bed +and to sleep as soon as possible. The boys have plans for every moment +of the day, and you will want to feel fresh tomorrow. Dolly, you may come +over to my room for just a few minutes." + +The next morning there was a drive through the lovely suburbs of the +city, then they came back to the Thanksgiving dinner; in the evening +there was a fine concert to which Mr. Alden took them all. Friday and +Saturday were full of fun and pleasure. Sunday evening came all too soon. +Dolly was having a quiet chat in the library with Fred and her mother. +The rest were all in the drawing-room. + +"I have been very much astonished at the way our guests paired off. +Naturally, one would think that Mr. Steele would care to talk to Mary +rather than to Beth. Mary knows what hard work and life on a farm mean. +She would not be at college now, if some aunt were not paying her +tuition; she told me so. I supposed that she and Mr. Steele would have +ever so many things in common, but I never see them talking together at +all. Mr. Martin seems really to find Mary very attractive, and Mr. +Steele devotes most of his time to Beth, who is certainly his opposite +in every particular." + +"That is just the reason Steele likes her, I presume," Fred rejoined +with an air of superior wisdom. "The attraction of opposites, you know; +though, for that matter, Steele quite approves of you. He thinks you are +a remarkably nice little girl, for he told me so." + +"How horribly condescending of him," Dolly said, tilting her chin +upward. + +Fred laughed. It was great fun to tease Dolly. "He thinks you did a +remarkably fine thing in throwing the class presidency to that classmate +of yours who voted for herself. By the way, her name was Hamilton, I +remember; she wasn't that girl of whom Bob was talking the other night, +was she?" + +Dolly flushed. "Tell Fred the whole story, dear, you can trust your +brother." + +So Dolly told it, and whatever Fred thought, he kept to himself, merely +promising not to mention the affair to anyone. Mrs. Alden sent the girls +off to bed at an early hour, for, as Beth said, they must be awake at a +most unearthly time. The boys set their alarm clock in order to be up +to see the girls off. They, themselves, were not obliged to go until a +later train. + +"We have had just a beautiful time, Mrs. Alden," Beth declared that +evening. "I can't tell how much it has meant to me. I want Dolly to go +home with me as soon as you can spare her, but I suppose you will want +her at Christmas?" + +"Perhaps we could arrange a compromise," Mrs. Alden returned smilingly; +"you might stop here for a week, and then we _might_ agree to loan you +Dolly for the remaining time." + +"I do wish you would. I would be more glad than I can tell you. I am +going to consider that point settled, and I thank you a thousand times. +Dolly, I want to tell you something about that room-mate of mine when +we get upstairs. I've meant to do it all vacation, and our jolly times +have just crowded it out of my head." + + + + +CHAPTER VI + + +But it was not until they were on the train the next day, that an +opportunity came for Beth to tell her story. There had been a jolly, +sleepy crowd that had eaten the early breakfast and then gone down to the +station. The boys had supplied them well with magazines, flowers and +boxes of candy. To Mary Sutherland it was all like a new world--the +handsome house, the elegant furnishings, the plenty and comfort that +pervaded the whole atmosphere, and while that part was nothing at all +new to Beth, she, too, felt as if she were in a new world, for it was +a world in which the home-atmosphere was sweet and wholesome, blessed as +it was with love and mutual forbearance. + +The good-byes were all said at last, and Dolly had to wink hard to +keep back the tears. "Do you remember how homesick I was in September, +Beth, and how you came to the rescue like a good angel? What should I +have done without you? It will be only a month now until the Christmas +holidays, and I certainly ought to be able to stand it four weeks without +getting lonesome." + +"You should have seen what a forlorn object she was, Mary," interrupted +Beth. "She sat on the edge of her bed looking as if she had not a friend +in all the world." + +"In all the college, you mean, and I had not, either, until you +walked in. I shall bless you forever for that deed of humanity. Even +my room-mate was missing then; you stayed for the marriage of a sister, +did you not, Mary?" + +"Yes, and I am afraid that I was not much comfort to you after I _did_ +appear. I didn't mean to be dictatorial and horrid, but I am afraid +that--" + +"You were nothing but what was all right, Mary," Dolly interrupted. +"We were not acquainted at first, that was all." + +"I was not nice, but I meant to be, and I'll try to fit in better +hereafter. You should have had Beth for a room-mate, though I'm too +selfish to propose any change this year." + +"We can all three be good friends, Mary, so far as that goes, but I +certainly wish that some other room-mate had been allotted to me than +Margery Ainsworth." + +"You were going to tell us something about her, Beth; now is a good +opportunity." + +"Very well, only you girls must understand that I am telling this in +confidence, because I want your advice. I don't know whether it is +my duty to say anything or not. Of course, girls don't like to be +tell-tales any more than boys do, but it seems to me that the good +name of the college is more or less concerned in this, and we cannot +afford to have any girl do things which would bring us into disrepute." + +"Of course not," Dolly said energetically. "Well, what is it?" + +"In the first place, she systematically breaks all of the rules. I +cannot room with her, of course, and not know that. She probably depends +upon my good nature or sense of honor not to give her away. She never +reports any broken rule, and she goes downtown whenever she feels +inclined, and only once a month or so gets permission. I imagine that +she goes for some reason instead of shopping, for she never has any +bundles sent home. The worst thing, in my mind, was a couple of Sundays +ago. She pretended to go to church with the rest of us, but she did +not; she went off some place else and appeared again just as church was +over. She went back to the college with the rest of us. I did ask her +what she had been doing that time." + +"What did she say?" + +"Nothing very satisfactory. She wanted to know if I would like an +outline of the sermon, and she proceeded to give me the text and some +of the leading points. Of course, she heard all of the girls discussing +it at the table, for it was the day that Dr. Hyde preached, and we were +all intensely interested." + +"Where do you suppose she was?" It was Mary Sutherland who asked the +question. + +"I really have not the faintest idea. I know, though, that she was some +place where, of course, she could not have gotten permission to go, had +she asked, for otherwise she would never have run the risk she ran. The +faculty do not overlook that sort of thing readily." + +"She would certainly be suspended at the least." + +"Well, I cannot go and tell any one of the professors what she does, but +I wish something would happen to make her more careful. I don't like to +have the college girls talked about. I feel jealous of our good name." + +Beth looked perplexed and worried. All three of the girls knew that +Margery Ainsworth had violated one of the strictest rules, and she could +only have done it in order to achieve some end which the faculty would +never have countenanced. It was not pleasant for Beth to room with a +girl as utterly devoid of principle as Margery Ainsworth daily proved +herself to be. It was inevitable that they should be thrown more or +less together. Margery was no student at all, and she and Beth really had +no ideas in common. + +"This is the second secret that has come our way this vacation," Dolly +said. "Such secrets are not nice. I hope we shall not be compelled to +hear any more. First, we learned more about our president's life than +she would probably care to have us know, and now comes this, which is, +of course, a thousand times worse. As far as I am concerned, I have no +suggestions to offer." + +"As I understand the matter, you want her forced to obey the rules, +but at the same time you are not going to tell any member of the faculty +about her." + +"Of course I am not," Beth said indignantly. "That is simply out of +the question." + +"And yet, for her own sake, it would be much better if the faculty knew +something of her doings. She cannot go into town so often for any good +purpose. She may be getting into mischief that she will repent all of +her after-life." + +"Very true, still I can say nothing." + +"Will you let me see what I can do?" + +"That would be the same as doing it myself, Mary, and then trying to +sneak out of a mean act by putting it on your shoulders." + +"If you are willing to trust me, I will not tell anything definite. +I will not mention your name, or tell what Miss Ainsworth has done. +I shall merely make sure that she will be so warned and hedged in +hereafter, that she will not dare to break the rules again. And this +ought to be done, Elizabeth, both for her own sake and the sake of +the college." + +"My dear infant, do you suppose for a moment that you could make the +indefinite statement which you propose, to any member of the faculty, +and not have a full explanation demanded at once of everything that has +been done?" + +"That would be true, usually, I know--" + +"But--" Beth's voice sounded a trifle impatient--"do you think you +could manage the professors better than the rest of us?" + +"Not all of them," Mary returned serenely, "but I probably can +Professor Newton, because, you see, she is my aunt." + +"What!" The amazement in her companions' voices made Mary leap back +and burst into laughter. + +"It is true. She is Mother's sister. I really do not know why I told +no one at first. I took a notion that I didn't want the girls to know, +and Aunt Mary humored me. I am her namesake." + +"And that is where you have been evenings when I wondered so where you +were," Dolly broke out a trifle incoherently. + +"Yes, I was up in her room. I can go there any time I wish. I thought +that I would leave you and Beth an opportunity to talk and study in our +sitting-room." + +"Professor Newton must have a high opinion of me," Dolly interjected +discontentedly, "if she thinks that I drive you away." + +"You needn't worry about Aunt Mary. She knows how lovely you have +been to an awkward, green girl from the western prairies, and she is +very grateful. Now you see, don't you, that I can say just enough to +her confidentially to warrant her in warning Miss Ainsworth that the +faculty will expect different behavior from her in the future? That is +all that will be necessary, I am sure, only, of course, she will be +watched after this. I will not mention a single name, and I will not +tell anything that she has done in the past. If she behaves herself +after the warning, she will be all right. There will be no harm done, +but lots of good will have been accomplished. If she doesn't choose to +take heed--" + +"She will deserve to suffer the full consequences," declared Beth. +"Yes, go ahead, that is the best plan. Truly, I am not thinking entirely +of the college either, when I say it. While I care nothing, personally, +for Margery Ainsworth, I do not want her to ruin her whole life by some +piece of folly." + +The girls talked the subject over more fully, and the matter was finally +left entirely in Mary's hands. + +A sudden recollection struck Dolly. "No wonder that you did not care +to have me introduce you to Professor Newton that first evening; do you +remember? And of course she had saved a place at her table purposely for +you. Mary Sutherland, if I supposed you repeated to her all the nonsense +that you have heard me talk about her, I should never let you return to +college alive." + +Mary smiled, not very much overcome by the threat. "You always say nice +things about her; now, if it had been Professor Arnold--you really don't +like her at all." + +"Of course I don't. An angel from heaven couldn't suit Professor +Arnold when it comes to a Latin translation. But just to think how I +have gushed over Professor Newton. Mary Sutherland, have you ever told +her the silly things I have said?" + +"You might know that I would not repeat anything that would displease +Aunt Mary." + +Dolly looked at her sharply. "You are evading my questions, Mary +Sutherland. I just know that you have told Professor Newton how I +have gushed over her, and how deeply in love with her I am. Don't +try to fool me. I will never, never tell anything to you again. Don't +talk to me about unsophisticated girls from the country, they are +deeper than any city girl I ever saw." + +And Dolly settled back in her seat with a look of vengeance in her eyes, +that did not disturb Mary in the least. It was very true that Dolly had +fallen deeply in love with Professor Newton, after the harmless fashion +that students have. Her lessons for Professor Newton were faultlessly +prepared, and while she was a good student in all her chosen studies, she +absolutely shone in Professor Newton's classes. There was something +very attractive about this teacher. She understood girls and knew how to +deal with them. + +She had written a couple of textbooks herself, and it was generally +understood among the students that she had supported herself when +attending college. Yet she had not become hard or bitter. Her face was +strong, but sweet, and her own experience made her very tender toward +those girls who were trying to win an education against great odds. It +was to this aunt that Mary Sutherland went, knowing that she could +trust her implicitly to do the very best for all concerned. + +Beth knew that her room-mate was summoned to the president's room the +following Wednesday, and that she came back looking very angry and +half frightened as well. Evidently, whatever had been said to her was +of such a nature that she did not suspect Beth in the least. In fact, +the president (alluding, of course, to Professor Newton) had said that +"one of the members of the faculty had told her that Miss Ainsworth +was proving herself untrustworthy." Then there had followed a serious +talk in which Margery said as little as she could. She surmised that she +had probably been seen by some one of the professors on one of her many +escapades; on which one it might have been, she had no means of knowing, +and she was afraid of saying too much in extenuation or excuse, lest +she might inadvertently admit some misdemeanor of which the president was +ignorant up to this time. Therefore, she returned to her room both +wrathful and alarmed. + +Beth reported later to Dolly, that her room-mate was doing more studying +and paying more attention to the rules, than she ever had before. + +"Will it last, do you think?" queried Dolly anxiously. + +"I have my doubts. In my humble opinion, she is simply trying to throw +them off their guard now, and to induce them to believe that she does +not need watching. From several little things that have happened, +however, I am perfectly positive that the faculty is keeping a very +wide-awake eye on her. We have not many rules here, you know, but it goes +hard with any girl who attempts to break those few." + +"Yes, the mere fact that we are on our honor to a great extent, ought +to make the girls behave. I feel like being doubly careful." + +"My dear, you are hardly the same type of girl as Margery Ainsworth. She +is the sort to take advantage of any privilege. She is so very quiet +now, that I cannot help thinking there is some special reason why she is +endeavoring to throw them off their guard before the Christmas holidays." + +"They are only a week distant. Remember that you are going to eat +Christmas dinner with me, Beth. Mary will go, too, and Fred has invited +Mr. Martin and Mr. Steele for the holidays, so that we shall have the +same crowd we did at Thanksgiving time." + +"That will be jolly, but you must go home with me after Christmas. I +don't pretend that you will have as good a time in Philadelphia with +me, as I did at your home, but I want you to come. I asked Mary to go, +too, because I knew she could not afford to go way out to her own home, +but she said that she was to take a little trip with her aunt, and so I +shall have you all to myself. I'm rather glad of it, to tell the truth." + +"Yet you like Mary?" + +"More than I ever imagined that I could. I am getting to know her +better, for one thing. Of course, I shall never care for her as much as +I do for you, but she is thoroughly genuine. There is nothing mean or +underhanded about her." + +"No, there certainly is not, and hasn't she improved wonderfully in +personal appearance since she came?" + +"You are responsible for that. Since she allows you to superintend her +purchases, and tell her what colors to wear, she looks more like a girl, +and less like a relic of some former geological era." + +"Poor child, she had no opportunity to learn on the farm, and very +little money to spend for anything, I fancy." + +"All very true, and Professor Newton is a trump for giving her forlorn +namesake this chance. Of course, she pays all Mary's expenses." + +"Yes, and Mary is going to be a credit in the end to all her relatives +and friends. I wish I could say as much of your room-mate." + +"You can't. The most I dare hope in that direction is that Margaret +will not do anything to make us ashamed of her." + +But the next week proved that this hope would not be realized. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + + +On Thursday the girls would leave for their Christmas vacation. Dolly, +as well as Beth and Mary Sutherland, had passed their examinations in +a very satisfactory manner, and could enjoy the holidays with clear +consciences. The freshmen had been getting up a musical extravaganza +under the energetic direction of their president. There was no denying +the fact that Margaret Hamilton made a fine class president. She had +insisted upon Dolly's having a prominent part. Margaret, herself, had a +fine contralto voice, and by common vote, another of the principal parts +was given to her. Beth had a minor part, and Mary appeared only in the +choruses. + +A number of the other girls had remarkably fine voices, and all of the +leading parts were well carried. The class president seemed unusually +elated and happy. The entertainment would be given by the freshmen +in the College Hall on Wednesday evening. The faculty was invited, of +course, as well as the sophomores, juniors and seniors. It was the +first entertainment that the freshmen had given, and everyone was eager +to see what they could do. + +Professor Newton had been admitted to the last rehearsal, and she assured +the girls that it was the best thing that she had ever seen done by +any freshman class. "There wasn't a flaw in it. The idea is unique, the +costuming fine and the solo work was absolutely superb. You must have +worked hard. It will be something for all the classes to talk about for +years to come. Just do as well as you did at this rehearsal, and you +will find yourselves covered with glory, if you do not attempt anything +else in your entire college course." + +"It is all due to our president," said one of the group who surrounded +Professor Newton. "It was her idea in the first place; she adapted the +extravaganza to our class, and it is she who has made us work so hard at +it." + +"You have every reason to be proud of your work, Miss Hamilton," +Professor Newton said cordially. + +"I am tremendously proud of the girls, Professor Newton. Of course, I +could have done nothing at all if they had not been so willing." + +Just then the ringing of the gong summoned the majority of the girls to +a recitation, and Margaret added in a lower tone, "I am only afraid of +Ada Willing's last solo." + +"But why, Miss Hamilton? That is one of the best things in the entire +entertainment. It is so full of good-natured hits at the other classes +and the faculty. It is sheer, pure fun; everyone will enjoy it, and Miss +Willing has a magnificent voice." + +"But it is so uncertain. That solo should be sung well, for it is the +most unique thing that we have. Sometimes Miss Willing does it superbly, +and sometimes she does it miserably. Once or twice she has actually +forgotten the opening words, they are pure nonsense, you know, and not +very easy to remember, if a person be nervous." + +"Don't worry about it," Professor Newton advised kindly. "I am sure +you will come out all right this evening. You should rest the balance of +the day." + +"I want to go out for a little while, Professor Newton; then I shall +surely take your advice." + +Dolly and Beth had been almost the only ones who had heard this +conversation. As the two walked down the corridor, Beth said +thoughtfully: "I would be willing to wager a peanut that our president +has gone out merely to walk up Murray's lane. She goes there every +single day at this hour." + +"I don't believe it is for any wrong purpose, Beth. The lane is within +the limits that we are allowed to go. Some way I have faith in Miss +Hamilton." + +"I am not saying that I have not. But certainly she is secretive. Of +course, that is no sin, as we decided long ago; at the same time one +cannot help speculating about her, more or less." + +"I have watched her rather closely ever since Thanksgiving, and she +really has never said a word in my hearing that was untrue or false. Last +week, in Miss Dunbar's room, the subject of wealth and aristocracy came +up in some way. Miss Hamilton was appealed to. I do not think you were +present, but Miss Dunbar asked if Miss Hamilton did not consider good +breeding and refinement inseparable from wealth and family position." + +"What a snob she is." + +"We all know that. I was rather curious to hear what our president +would say. She did not say much. She is like Grant. She knows the wisdom +of silence. She told Miss Dunbar that she did not agree with her at +all. Then she made the first personal remark that I ever heard her +make. She said that as far as she was concerned, she had no wealth, and +while she was proud of her family, herself, she had no idea that Ward +McAllister would ever have admitted them to his sacred list of four +hundred." + +"Good for her. She told the truth, and yet the girls did not realize +just how true it was, I presume. She has an air about her that seems to +betoken wealth and distinction. How misleading appearances are." + +"Yes, aren't they? Well, the facts will be sure to come out some day, +for this world is small, after all, and what we learned, others will +be sure to learn, too. There is no harm at all in it, but Miss Dunbar +and that set of girls who fawn so around her, would never speak to her +again. You'll see." + +"I don't like to think that you are a true prophet, Dolly, for the sake +of our sex. Why should we be more ungenerous to Margaret Hamilton than +the Harvard boys are to Mr. Steele?" + +"There is no reason at all why we should be, and if the test ever comes, +I, for one, shall stand by her." + +"And I, too," said Beth. "Though I hope the necessity will never +arise." It did, however, and the two girls proved true to their promises. + +College Hall was crowded that evening. Friends from the town had been +invited, and everyone was anxious to see what the freshmen class could +do. Whispers of something a little beyond the ordinary had gotten out, +and all were expectant. + +There was a spontaneous burst of applause when the curtain went up, and +showed the picturesque setting of the first scene, representative of +the grove in the college grounds. The girls were at their best, and +everything went smoothly during the first three acts. The fourth act was +the last, and the most difficult singing and acting came in it. All had +gone perfectly so far, and the class president's face began to look +serene and confident. + +Miss Willing's solo was near the end. There had been no flaw up to +that point, but when it came time for her to break in with the merry, +half-saucy characterization of the other classes, there was an ominous +silence. Dolly and Beth, glancing at her, and recalling what Margaret +Hamilton had said, realized that the girl's memory had failed her +entirely, just through sheer nervousness. The president's face turned +pale. She had so wished this to be a most notable success; it seemed +imperative to her, for many reasons. She wished to please one most +dear to her, and then, too, if she could win these laurels for her +class, no matter what might happen in the future, the girls could not +be utterly ungrateful to her. + +And now Ada Willing was turning her wonderful success in to a most +disastrous defeat. It all meant so much to Margaret Hamilton. She +recalled the words perfectly herself, and longed to take the solo into +her own hands, but this was a soprano solo which she could not hope to +compass with a contralto voice. She was tasting the full bitterness of +defeat, when a voice broke out with the solo, clear, sweet, piquant--not +Ada Willing's voice, but Beth's. And Beth put a verve and daring into +the words which Miss Willing was perfectly incompetent to do. + +Verse after verse flowed on, smoothly, triumphantly. The whole hall was +shaking with unrestrained laughter. The president's color came back to +cheeks and lips. Beth had saved the day; she was doing better than Ada +Willing could have done, for she was an inimitable actress, and in her +song she rapidly personified sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well +as professors, in a manner that was perfectly unmistakable. + +The applause was so generous and long-continued, that Beth was forced +to repeat some portions several times. When the curtain went down +shortly after that, for the last time, Beth was surrounded by rapturous +classmates who were ready to fall on her neck or carry her around the +grounds, for thus saving their reputation. + +"Come and meet my mother, will you not--you and Miss Alden?" Margaret +Hamilton said after she had tried in a somewhat tremulous tone to thank +Beth for her ready wit. "I would like to have you both meet her." + +"I did not know that she was here," Dolly said in surprise. "I thought +your home was in the West." + +"We did live in Chicago until recently. Now we have no home exactly. +Mother and I are all there are in the family, and she will board here +in town so as to be near me. She might as well, there is no reason why +we should be separated by several hundred miles now." + +With much silent bewilderment, Beth and Dolly followed Miss Hamilton +to one corner of the room, where they found Mrs. Hamilton engaged in +conversation with Professor Newton. + +"Thank you so much for looking after Mother a little, Professor +Newton," Margaret said gratefully. "I was in such haste that I did not +have time to introduce her to anyone else before our entertainment," +and then she presented Beth and Dolly. + +The girls scrutinized her closely. She was dressed in black, but +with a certain quiet style that convinced Dolly that Margaret had +supervised the making of the gown. The face was not handsome, but it +was good-natured, and denoted a large amount of practical common sense. +The girls sat down on either side of her. They had their own reasons +for wanting to know more of their class president's mother. She was +evidently brimming over with pride and love for Margaret. In the +course of their conversation it became very evident that she knew +nothing of "society's small talk," or of the subjects that college +girls often bring up naturally in connection with their studies. +Nevertheless, she could talk well and interestingly on many commonplace +themes, especially when her subject of conversation related more or +less closely to her daughter. Her grammar was good, and her language +quite as choice as one usually meets with in a casual acquaintance. + +Dolly and Beth, watching their classmate closely, noticed with secret +relief that she introduced her mother to all the members of the faculty, +as well as to Miss Dunbar and to the most exclusive girls of the class. +She did it with a quiet, unassuming dignity which her two close critics +could not but admire. + +The evening was over, the entertainment was universally conceded to have +been the most unique and successful affair ever given by any freshman +class, and even the seniors owned frankly that they would be compelled +to look to their laurels next term, or they would be quite outdone by the +insignificant freshies. + +Beth and Dolly had gone upstairs, the visitors had all departed, at +least, so the girls thought. Dolly remembered a book which she needed +from the library. They turned into the wing to get it, and Dolly ran on +before to switch on the electric light which had just been turned off. +Margaret's voice, low but penetrating, reached them distinctly. + +"I told several of the girls, Mother, that you were going to board in +town so as to be near me." + +There was a startled exclamation from Mrs. Hamilton. "Indeed, Mother, +I had to do it. Of course you want to see me, and I want to see you. +If it is clearly known that you are boarding in town, I can readily get +permission to go and see you as often as I have time. And you can come +and see me every evening. As it is, I feel as if I were guilty all the +time of doing something wrong." + +"You haven't broken a single rule, Margaret. I would be just as careful +about that, as you would, yourself." + +"I know, but why should I sneak off up Murray's lane to meet my mother, +and why should you have to go there every day through the woods, when +one might just as well meet openly? It has often been almost impossible +for me to get off alone at the time you go there. Believe me, Mother, +my way is the best. I am not ashamed of you. I should not deserve any +success in life if I were." + +"I know all that, Margaret; at the same time, would you have been +elected class president or invited to your friend's house at +Thanksgiving, if it were generally known that your mother had been a +servant nearly all her life, and that your father had been merely a +coachman? Of course, he had a good education, and if it had not been +for that accident, we would have had our own little home. But when that +happened, we just had to do the best we could, and he took a coachman's +position with Mr. Worthington because that was the first thing that +offered. And he kept it all his life. But would your fine friends +feel the same toward you if they knew that?" + +"No, they would not, Mother," Margaret answered in a low and rather sad +tone. "It hardly seems fair, does it? I know that many of them would +never speak to me again. I do not consider my affairs any business of +theirs, and I promise you not to volunteer any information. On the other +hand, Mother, I cannot meet you secretly any more. If you are really +afraid that someone will recognize you here, you can stay in the town +as quietly as you wish. I know that you are ambitious for me, Mother, +and I will do the very best I can for us both. I want to succeed, too. +If I am absolutely cornered, I shall tell no lies, though. I have not +done it so far, and I shall not hereafter. I suppose the truth may +naturally be known some day, but I am not going to be ashamed of either +of my parents, and you would be ashamed of me if I were, Mother." + +"Yes, I suppose I would, Margaret, but if you can only get your +education, now that Mr. Worthington made it possible, I shall be +willing to stand in the background for four years. You were slighted +all through the public schools as soon as anyone knew that you were +just the daughter of Mr. Worthington's housekeeper, and it would be +worse here." + +"Well, never mind, Mother, if--" + +And there, to the girls' relief Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter passed +out of hearing. + +"_She_ is true blue, no matter whether her blood is blue or not," said +Dolly softly. "Confess now, Beth dear, that you are glad she is our +president." + +"She makes a good one," Beth acknowledged, and then they separated, +each going to her own room. + +A moment later, however, there was a quick tap at Dolly's door, and +Beth's excited face appeared. + +"What do you think has happened, Dolly?" + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + + +"What is it, and has it anything to do with Mary? She isn't here, and I +haven't the faintest idea where she is." + +"It has nothing to do with Mary, but I hope Mary may be able to explain +to us. Professor Arnold is in our room, and Margery is packing up +everything she owns. They are going to take the five o'clock train +tomorrow morning for New York. You know Professor Arnold lives there, +too. She called me into my room, and spoke to me privately. She asked if +I would object to rooming with you tonight, as she would like to sleep +in my room herself." + +"Just as if Margery were a prisoner and she the jailer," said Dolly, +in an awe-struck tone. + +"That is just about the size of it, my dear. Of course, I said I was +sure you would take me in. Evidently Margery tried to slip off tonight, +thinking that amid all the excitement she would not be missed. I wonder +what she did!" + +"And they go on the five o'clock train? No Latin for us then. Professor +Arnold did not intend to go, I know, until Friday. We were to have all +of our regular lessons tomorrow morning." + +"We had better get to bed, or someone will be after us, even if today +is an exceptional time." + +"That's true, but where _is_ Mary?" + +"Here," answered Mary's own voice, as the sitting-room door opened. + +"Where have you been? Give an account of yourself." + +"I have been hearing the true story of Elizabeth's room-mate. I suppose +you know by this time that she is to go home early tomorrow?" + +Both girls nodded. + +"After our entertainment I went upstairs to Aunt Mary's room. We +were talking, when Professor Arnold came to the door. She called Aunt +Mary into the hall, and stood there for some time. I could not help +hearing a part of what was said, so, when aunty came back, she told me +the full story, and said that I might tell you. We are not to repeat +it to the other girls, but, of course, they will be told in chapel +that Miss Ainsworth has been sent home." + +"Yes, well?" + +"It seems that Professor Graydon has noticed how very restless +Margery has seemed this week. From several little things, she decided +that Miss Ainsworth would try to slip away when we were all in the +College Hall, and so she kept a careful watch on her. Patrick knew +about it, too, and when he saw her slip out of the side gate and run +off toward the city, he went after her. He met one of the maids and +sent word back to Professor Graydon. Mrs. Carruther's carriage was at +the college, and Professor Graydon got into it and soon overtook Patrick. +He was standing outside a boarding-house on Summit Avenue, looking as +perplexed as he well could look. He didn't like to go in and order +Margery out; he had no right or business to do that, and, of course, +it never would have done. So he just stood outside and wondered what +was the right thing for him to do. I reckon" (Mary still lapsed into +her favorite idioms at times) "that he was mighty glad when he saw +Professor Graydon in the carriage. She rang the bell at once and asked +for Miss Ainsworth. I imagine that there was a very stormy scene +inside, but of course Professor Arnold was in too great a hurry to tell +Aunt Mary all the details. Presently Professor Graydon came out with +Margery and took her to the president's room. They managed to get +the full story out of Margery at last. It seems that there is a young +lady at the boarding-house, a Miss Lampton, very proud and flashy and +fast; Margery knew her in New York, and the two became quite intimate +before Margery's parents found out about it. The girl has been mixed up +in several scandals. She went to Boston once in a smoking-car and smoked +cigarettes all the way. You can imagine what sort of a girl she is +from that." + +"I wouldn't want to imagine," broke in Dolly disgustedly. "How could +Miss Ainsworth ever tolerate her?" + +"Birds of a feather," said Beth wisely. "But we must let Mary tell +her story and then get to bed." + +"Yes, it is horribly late. Well, as soon as the Ainsworths found out +the sort of girl she was, they tried to break off the intimacy, but +Margery kept contriving to meet her places, and there was a brother who +was just as bad--worse, in fact. So, finally, Margery was sent here to +college to get her away from them. She was told not to correspond with +either, but there is no surveillance on the letters here, and Margery +corresponded all last year with them both, though her parents never +knew it. This fall Miss Lampton decided to come here and board for a +while. She had just gotten into a scrape that was a little worse than +usual in New York, and I suppose she thought she had better go away till +the talk blew over." + +"Has the girl no parents?" + +"No, only an aunt, who acts as sort of a figurehead, and who has no +control over either Miss Lampton or her brother. So she came here to +board last fall, and of course wrote to Miss Ainsworth as soon as +she came. That is where Beth's room-mate has gone whenever she has +disappeared in town." + +"That is certainly bad enough, but it is not as bad as I feared it might +be." + +"You haven't heard the worst yet, Elizabeth. Every little while the +brother came down, and at last he and Margery decided that they were in +love with each other, and do you know that they had planned an elopement +for this very night?" + +The girls gave a cry of horror. + +"Yes, that is absolutely true. If Elizabeth had not let me tell Aunt +Mary, so that the faculty was on guard, you see what a dreadful thing +would have happened. Now they have telegraphed to Mr. Ainsworth, and +Professor Arnold will not leave Margery until she is safe with her +father." + +"How dreadful it all is," and then, despite the lateness of the hour, +the girls talked the matter over until there came a light tap at their +door. + +Professor Arnold looked in. "We are not going to be very strict tonight +with you freshmen, after you have just achieved such a triumph at your +entertainment, but there is really reason in all things, and I advise +you to have your light out and to be in bed within five minutes." + +"Yes'm," three voices responded meekly, and then there was hurried +scrambling and the freshmen settled down for the night. + +The next afternoon saw the three girls at Dolly's home. The following +day brought Fred and his two friends, and there was a lively time until +Christmas. + +Christmas morning found them all down in the library, bright and early. +The subject of Christmas gifts had troubled Dolly a little, because she +feared lest Mary and Mr. Steele might feel that they had no part in the +good times. + +"You see, mamma, that I want to give Mary something as nice as I do +Beth, but I know that Mary has hardly any money to spend for presents, +and I do not want her to feel mean or awkward about it. And then there is +Mr. Steele; he certainly cannot afford to do much in that line, either, +and yet, of course, we want to remember him. What shall we do?" + +"Just get what your good sense dictates, without thinking of their +presents at all. You do not give for what will be given to you. You give +for the pleasure of giving. Don't think of that phase of the question. +As for Mr. Steele, I feel that we owe him more than we can ever repay." + +"How so, mamma?" + +"He has great influence over Fred, and he has certainly helped him to +keep steady at college." + +"Oh, mamma, you do not mistrust Fred?" + +"I know how much Fred likes a good time, dear. Sometimes he takes it +without thinking of consequences. I rather dreaded college for him; but +he is growing much more independent and self-reliant." + +"Fred is a darling, and you know it, mamma." + +"Of course, but I can see his weaknesses, and so I am glad that he has +taken a liking to Robert Steele. I intend to do my best to have this +Christmas one that he will like to remember." + +There could be no doubt at all but that she succeeded. There was a +load of pretty remembrances for everyone. Rob Steele had been bothered +somewhat, too, over the question of gifts. Fortunately, while not an +artist, he had some skill with brush and pencil, and after considerable +cogitating, he devoted his few spare moments to painting some dainty +marine views in water colors; he had these inexpensively framed, and +told himself that he would not worry; he had done the best he could, +though, of course, his trifles were not to be mentioned in the same +breath as the elegant presents which Martin would buy. + +But on Christmas morning, Bob Steele found that his little gifts received +much more attention than the handsome ones that Dick Martin had given. +And even Mary Sutherland, with all her supersensitiveness, never thought +of comparing the relative value of the inexpensive books she had given, +with the very beautiful muff, handkerchiefs, ribbons and laces which +she found in her Christmas corner. + +There were no heart-burnings and no jealousies. The only drawback to +the day, as Fred declared, was the thought that the party would be +partially broken up on the morrow. Dick Martin was going back to Boston. +Mary would join her aunt at college for a little trip, and Dolly and +Beth would leave for Philadelphia. Fred grumbled considerably at such a +scattering of the congenial party, but there was no help for it. Rob +Steele would stay with him until Harvard reopened, and Dolly and Beth +might be able to stay over night on their way back to Westover. + +[Illustration: A moment later Dolly had been introduced to Beth's father] + +When Dolly found herself actually on the train next day, bound for +Philadelphia, she wondered more and more to what kind of a home she was +going. Beth grew more quiet and sedate as they neared the city, and +the reserved, rather hard expression which she had partially lost of +late, was intensified. + +As they entered the main gate at the Broad Street Station, a tall, +handsome man took Beth's valise from her hand and bent to kiss her. A +moment later Dolly had been introduced to Beth's father. A carriage +was waiting for them outside the station, and as they drove to Beth's +home, Dolly scrutinized Mr. Newby's features closely, trying hard to +find therein the explanation of much that had mystified her in Beth. + +He was evidently a man of culture and brains. Dolly could not imagine +him in a temper or exhibiting any lack of self-control. Why did he and +Beth not chatter more familiarly, though? He was asking questions about +the college in the same fashion that he might have asked them of Dolly +herself, and Beth was replying in the same formal, courteous way. Even +Mr. Newby's kiss of welcome at the station had seemed a perfunctory +duty-kiss, not at all like the spontaneous ones given by Dolly's father. + +And Beth could chatter fast enough! Why wasn't she doing it now? Though, +if Dolly had only known it, both Beth and her father were making a great +effort to have the conversation lively and animated. + +Dolly had gained no light when they reached the pleasant suburban home +where the Newbys lived. On the broad veranda she could see a lovely, +gracious woman and three children. + +They must be Roy, Hugh and Nell, she knew. The carriage drove rapidly +up the lawn along the smooth driveway. Mrs. Newby hastened to meet +them. She kissed Beth a little wistfully, Dolly thought, and gave Dolly +herself a very cordial, hearty welcome. The children were well-mannered +and decidedly attractive. Dolly fancied that Roy did not look very +strong. Mrs. Newby took them upstairs presently. She had given the girls +adjoining rooms, and went in with them to see that everything was in +perfect readiness. The house was roomy and delightful, and Dolly drew +in a deep breath of surprise and enjoyment. "How nice your home is, +Beth. You funny child, never to have told me anything about it." + +"I'm glad you like it. How about the people in it?" + +"How do I like them, do you mean? Why, I have hardly seen them yet, you +know, but I think that you must feel proud of your father; and Mrs. Newby +has one of the sweetest faces I ever saw. The children seem very nice, +and you know how I love children." + +"Yes, I know--well, I am glad if you like us and our home." + +That was all Beth said. Dolly watched quietly and shrewdly. Something +was ajar, and she longed to know if it were not something that could +be adjusted. Whatever it was, it was spoiling Beth's life. But she could +see nothing. Beth was as reserved as ever, even in her own home. Both of +her parents seemed to treat her more as a guest than as a daughter of +the house. Her wishes were consulted, and she was deferred to more as a +stranger would be, Dolly thought, than as a daughter whose preferences +they were supposed to know. + +Everyone was polite and courteous. It was not a household that would +ever tolerate quarreling or strife. Yet there was something lacking. +They all seemed anxious that Dolly should have a good time, and there +were many pleasant little plans for her entertainment. Dolly grew to like +them all, but she was especially fond of Mrs. Newby. She often wondered +why Beth did not adore her stepmother, she was so gracious and kind, so +just and generous. + +The vacation days passed all too rapidly for the girls. They would go +back the next day, and Dolly was no nearer discovering the "rift within +the lute" that served to make the music mute, than she had been on +the day of her arrival. She concluded that she would never be any wiser, +but that evening an incident happened that gave her a glimpse of Beth's +hidden life. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + + +It was Nell's fourth birthday anniversary, and the child was to have +a little party in the afternoon; in the evening Mrs. Newby had arranged +for a small farewell party for Beth and Dolly. Both affairs would be +more or less informal, but they would be none the less enjoyable for +that reason. Nell was wild with delight. + +Fifteen of her small friends had been sent pretty invitations, and she +told everyone of the wonderful birthday cake that Bridget had made, and +that would have four little wax candles on it for her to blow out. + +"I don't like that part of the program myself," Mrs. Newby remarked in +a low tone to the two girls. "I am always so afraid of some accident; +but I really believe that Nell would feel she had not been given a party +at all, if she did not have her birthday cake and her four candles." + +"Don't worry, Mrs. Newby," Dolly said comfortingly. "If you chance +to be out of the room when the wonderful cake comes in, Beth and I will +watch Nell carefully until the candles are extinguished." + +"Thank you, Dolly. I presume I am foolish, but such dreadful things do +happen, you know." + +Dolly assented, and then in the bustle of preparations for the two +parties, which unfortunately came on the same day, she forgot all about +her promise. Afterward, she reproached herself bitterly for her neglect. + +The day was bright and sunny. The small folks had had a glorious time, +and were now sitting around the table enjoying Nell's birthday feast. +The sandwiches and other substantials had been passed, and Mrs. Newby had +gone into the kitchen a moment to see about the ices. Dolly and Beth +had been waiting on the little people and enjoying the fun as much as +they. The butler brought in the grand birthday cake and put it in front +of the small hostess. Then he, too, went into the kitchen. Nell looked at +her cake for a few moments in silent rapture, enjoying the exclamations +of admiration which she heard from all her little guests. Suddenly it +seemed to her, that one of the candles leaned a little to one side. She +stretched out her hand to straighten it. Instantly a flame leaped up +from the thin white fabric of her sleeves. In a second it had sprung +to her curls and the children were shrieking in horror and affright. + +In another second Beth had pulled the child from her chair, wrapped a rug +around her, and crushed the flames from the pretty curls with her own +unprotected hands. + +It was all over before Peter had reappeared with the ices, but the cries +had reached Mrs. Newby, and with a dreadful premonition she had rushed to +the dining-room with her husband, who had returned early from his office, +in honor of Nell's birthday. + +As they entered, Beth was unwrapping the rug from Nell. The flames were +extinguished and the child was safe, though the fright had completely +unnerved her, and she was sobbing hysterically. + +Her dainty dress was burned, and her curls were singed in front, but that +was the extent of the damage. + +Mrs. Newby caught her child to her arms in a gush of unspeakable +thankfulness, while Dolly poured out her remorse and sorrow with a flood +of tears. + +Mr. Newby stood by, looking more shaken than Dolly had ever believed +possible for so self-contained a man. He questioned Dolly and Beth +closely, and when the full particulars of the accident had been told, +he put his arms around Beth and called her his "brave, sensible +daughter;" but his voice trembled and Dolly was sure there were tears in +his eyes. + +Peter waited on the little folks for the remainder of the meal, while +Mrs. Newby carried Nell off to change her dress and to look after Beth's +hands. They were badly burned; not seriously, however, and while Beth +might suffer considerably from them for two or three weeks, there would +probably be no permanent scars. Mr. Newby had insisted on summoning a +physician at once, despite Beth's protests. Her hands had been dressed, +and she had been told that she must consent to be waited upon for the +next week or two like a baby. + +"But I must go back to college tomorrow, Doctor, that is a positive +fact." + +Dr. Thornton looked rather grave. "If you are careless, Miss Newby, your +hands will be permanently scarred. They should be dressed every day, and +you should use them as little as possible." + +"I do not think that I can consent to your going, Beth," said her +father gravely. + +"And I cannot consent to staying at home, Father," Beth returned +decidedly. "Dr. Randolph, our college physician, will dress my hands +for me every day. I promise to be very careful." + +"If you are willing to have her go," Dolly said anxiously, "I will +do everything that I can for her during the next two or three weeks. +I feel as if this were all my fault, anyway, for I had promised Mrs. +Newby that I would look after the birthday cake. Then I was attending +to something else when it came in and I forgot all about it. If it had +not been for Beth--" She stopped shudderingly. + +"I know that you would do all you possibly could for Beth," Mr. Newby +said slowly. "Still I do not feel that she ought to go." + +"I must, Father," and Beth turned away with an air of finality, as +if the matter were settled once for all. Mr. Newby said nothing more +at the moment, but he looked far from satisfied. He followed Beth from +the room presently, leaving Dolly and his wife alone, for Baby Nell had +fallen asleep and the tiny guests had all gone home. + +Mrs. Newby turned to Dolly with tears in her eyes. "Elizabeth has saved +me from a lifetime of sorrow, but she will not even let me thank her. +If she only loved me--" She broke off as if afraid to trust her voice. + +Dolly broke in impetuously: "I do not see how anyone can help loving +you, Mrs. Newby." + +Mrs. Newby smiled rather sadly. "I cannot blame Beth at all, nor myself, +either, for that matter. I believe I will tell you about it, Dolly, if +you care to hear. I have never discussed the subject with anyone before, +but Elizabeth's coldness and want of affection have been very hard to +bear." + +"Yet you said that you did not blame her, Mrs. Newby?" Dolly said, a +little wonderingly. + +"And I do not. It is rather strange that I should be mentioning this +subject to you at all, when you are such a mere child yet; but you +understand Elizabeth, and she seems more like a girl with you than I +ever saw her before. I have tried to give her everything that I have +fancied she wanted, but there were some things that I could not give +her--that she would not let me give her. I do not know whether Elizabeth +has ever talked to you about her own mother or not. She must have been a +very beautiful woman; she and Elizabeth were passionately devoted to +each other. They were always together, and I have been told by the +old servants here in the family, that they seldom saw such absolute +love as Elizabeth gave her mother. She deserved it, for she was an ideal +mother in every respect." Mrs. Newby stopped and caught her breath. +The hardest part of her story was still to be told. + +"She caught a cold the fall that Elizabeth was nine years old, and it +developed into pneumonia. In a week she was dead. They feared at first +that the child, too, would die; but her mother had had a long, loving +talk with her after she knew that there was no hope of her recovery. +Exactly what she said to Elizabeth, of course, no one ever knew, but her +Christian faith was one of her most marked characteristics, and she must +have succeeded in imparting it to her child in a very vivid manner, +for while Elizabeth grieved intensely, her grief was more like one who +sorrowed for a person gone on a long journey, than like one bereft by +death. Of course, everything that her mother had said or done was sacred +in her eyes. She did not like anyone to touch her room, her chair, or +any of her belongings. That was all perfectly right and natural. And +now, Dolly, comes the hard part of my story. I cannot tell it without +seeming to censure my husband, and yet I presume that he thought he +was doing all for the best. He and I have never discussed the subject +since the first night when I came to this house. I learned the truth +then, and I know that I spoke to him very bitterly and harshly. Since +then the subject has not been mentioned between us; nevertheless, it has +been a cloud on all our married life. I would not be telling you all +this so frankly, Dolly, if I did not want you to understand Elizabeth +fully, and to help her. She is honest as the day. I often feel hungry +for her affection. I shall never be satisfied without it, but the manner +in which I came here rendered it impossible for me to win her love." + +Mrs. Newby paused again, and Dolly waited in growing bewilderment. + +"The winter after Elizabeth's mother died, Mr. Newby went west on +business. He met me there. He was lonesome, and we were congenial in +many ways. He came west several times, and we became engaged. We were +married quietly the next summer. There were no invitations because of my +mother's recent death; we sent announcement cards, but that was all. Of +course, I knew that John had been married before, and that he had a +daughter. What I did not know was that his wife had been dead less than a +year, and that Elizabeth knew nothing of his marriage. Dolly, I believe +that many men are cowards in their own families. I cannot imagine why +my husband acted as he did. I can see Elizabeth's startled, shocked +face yet, as her father took me into the house and told her that he had +brought her a new mother." + +"Hadn't the servants told her?" + +"They did not know of it either, Dolly, as I learned later. The child +then was shocked and stunned. She said very little, but I heard her +cry herself to sleep that night and countless nights afterward. A little +tact would have saved all the trouble. If she had been told kindly and +tenderly beforehand, that her father was lonely, and that he was going +to bring me here--not to be a mother to Elizabeth--but to be a friend +and helper to them both, there would have been no trouble. As it was, +the child was too hurt ever to care for me. My chance of winning her +affection had been lost. Had things been different, there would have +been no trouble. Had she been old enough then to understand matters, I +should have told her the truth. But she was too young then. Can you +wonder, Dolly, that I felt bitter and heartsick that night? I spoke +very angrily to John, and that did not mend matters in the least." + +Dolly slipped her hand into Mrs. Newby's. "I am so dreadfully sorry, +for it all seems to me to have been so needless. I hardly see why Mr. +Newby did not tell both you and Beth everything." + +"He was afraid to tell Elizabeth, my dear, for he felt at a disadvantage +with her. He did not want to take the time and patience necessary to +make her see the subject from his standpoint. In fact, he meant to +have his own way, and he did not mean to run any chance of obstacles +being placed in his path. He was afraid to tell me the truth for fear +I would insist upon delaying our marriage, and I certainly should have +done so. Had we waited a little, and had Elizabeth come to visit me +first, my married life would have been a very different thing. John had +his own way, but I think that he found that it hardly paid in the end. +Selfishness does not pay in the long run, Dolly." + +"I wonder, Mrs. Newby, that you never explained things to Beth when she +grew older." + +"As I said, Dolly, she was too young at first to tell her the facts +of the case. She was merely hurt and heartbroken then. As she grew older +and comprehended the situation better, she judged me more harshly. How +could she believe I had married her father in less than a year from the +time of her mother's death without knowing that fact, and how could she +know, too, that I had supposed her to be a mere baby, not older than +Nell, at most, whose love could be won after our marriage instead of +before, as should have been the case with her? There has never been a +time when I felt that I could tell her, and yet, in justice to myself, I +wish that she knew." + +"Won't you tell her now, Mrs. Newby? I do wish you would." + +"It is too late," Mrs. Newby said despairingly. "One cannot alter the +habits and feelings of years at a moment's notice." + +"But still--" + +"Never mind, Dolly, I understand now--for I was guilty of listening. I +did it purposely, Mother--I couldn't help it. Will you forgive me? When +I came back, you had commenced to talk to Dolly, and I heard my name. I +stopped, for I wanted to hear what you were saying; it was a dreadful +thing for me to do, of course, but I'm not a bit sorry. I am awfully +stupid to have lived with you all these years, and yet to have supposed +you were such a person as I have always pictured you in my thoughts. I +wonder if you are going to forgive me at this late day--" + +And then Dolly slipped out of the room, glad to the inmost depths of her +heart that things were getting "straightened out" as she phrased it. + +Mr. Newby had had two sensitive natures with which to deal in the days +gone by, and he had not appreciated the fact in the least. One of the +persons had been only a child, and he had not counted on her as being a +definite influence at all. _There_ he had made a great mistake. + +Even after his marriage, however, if he could have had the courage to +tell his story frankly to Beth, and confess his loneliness to her, she +would have viewed the matter in a different light. Mrs. Newby knew +that in his so doing, lay her only hope of winning the child's heart; +but she was proud, too, and if he would not do this voluntarily, she +would not beg him to do it. And so, during all these years, for lack of +the word never spoken, she and Beth had missed the mutual love and +helpfulness which they might have given each other, and which would have +made their lives so much sweeter and brighter. + +Despite the accident of the afternoon, the evening party was a great +success, and Beth, much to her open disgust, found herself regarded as +something of a heroine. + +Once during the course of the evening, Mr. Newby heard Beth address his +wife as "Mother." A new light had come into his eyes at the time, and +a look of quiet determination. The look was still there when he sought +his wife in the library after their young guests had gone. + + + + +CHAPTER X + + +She was putting the room in order, and he stepped to her side as she +stood by the table. "Christine, are matters all right at last between +you and Elizabeth?" + +"Yes, John, I think that they are." + +"It is all my fault that they have ever been any other way. I was +selfish, at first, in my fear lest you would ask me to postpone our +wedding day; then, afterward, when I saw what a grave mistake I had +made, I was too cowardly to take the blame myself and explain matters +to the child as I should have done. There was a sort of tacit deceit on +my part, Christine, for which I have paid very bitterly. You have made +our home beautiful, but, because of my folly, there has been that one +jarring note in it." + +"It is all right now." + +"But no thanks to me. However, I am going to have a talk with Beth yet +tonight. I shall not excuse myself; what is the worst thing in my own +eyes, Christine, has been my cowardice in not facing the subject fairly +long ago and telling Elizabeth that you were not in the least open to +censure. The fault was all mine, but I have left you to bear the blame." + +This was so absolutely true that Mrs. Newby made no reply, but she looked +at her husband with a very forgiving smile as she laid her hand on his. + +"You are an angel, Christine. Some women would never forgive me." + +She laughed a little tremulously. "I know better, my dear, than to +expect perfection from a poor, frail man. I am not an angel myself, +as you know very well." + +"I don't know it at all," he retorted, bending to kiss her. "I hear +Elizabeth in the drawing-room. I shall see her before she goes upstairs. +Christine, you are perfectly happy now?" + +"No," she replied promptly, and evidently to his surprise. + +"Then tell me the trouble at once." + +"I am worried about Roy. He is too young to be sent away to school. I +presume it answers very well with some children, but he needs me." + +"But the public schools are so far away from us, dear, and I thought +that he was hardly strong enough to stand the strain of the two sessions +there. I did not know that you objected to his going. You said nothing, +you know, to that effect." + +"You seemed so very sure that it was the right thing to do, and I did +not know but it might turn out better than I feared. But he dreads the +going back unspeakably. I found him crying about it last night, and I +cannot consent to his return." + +"Then he certainly shall not go," Mr. Newby returned promptly. "But +what do you propose to do with him?" + +"He can have some private lessons here at home. I shall see that he has +enough to do, but not too much. Boys of that age need a mother, John." + +"I presume so," Mr. Newby returned ruefully. "So far as I can see, I +have made a mess of about everything that I have attempted to manage." + +"Don't slander yourself; I would not let anyone else say that of you, +most assuredly, and, besides, it is not true, John." + +"I am not at all sure of that, Christine." Then he kissed her again, +and went in search of Beth, with whom he had a long talk, despite the +fact that it was then after midnight. + +After all, Beth did not return with Dolly. Mrs. Newby frankly owned +that she should feel very anxious if Beth went off to college before her +hands had healed, and Beth found herself the next morning watching her +stepmother unpack her trunk, while she herself was quite rejoiced over +the fact that she should have another week or two at home. So Dolly went +back alone. + +Beth came ten days later, and Dolly knew, from the expression of +contentment and happiness on her face, that she was now enjoying the +blessing which a real home and home-love can give. + +The term was a busy one for all the girls. They had come to college, +for the most part, at least, because they were inspired by a genuine +love for knowledge. They had their times of recreation, of course, and +their merry evenings in Dolly's room when they again made fudge and +tea. Nevertheless, there was plenty of good, hard work done, and the +Easter holidays found them all ready for a brief rest again. Mary went +home with Dolly, and Beth would stop for one night on her return to +college; but now, strangely enough, as it seemed to Beth herself, she +could scarcely wait to get home. + +Beth had roomed alone since Margery Ainsworth's expulsion, and while +Dolly often longed to get permission to move her possessions across the +hall, and become Beth's room-mate, she was too truly fond of Mary by +this time, to wish to hurt her feelings. So, while the girls often wished +that they could room together, it did not seem possible, for the freshmen +year at least. + +As commencement time drew near, the other students began to make +arrangements for the next year. Rooms and room-mates were chosen, and +everything gotten into readiness for the ensuing term. Dolly and Beth +were talking it over one day, rather lugubriously, in Beth's room. + +"All the other girls have settled their plans, and I have been hoping +that Mary would say something to me. She must know that we want to room +together. Of course, I like her, but not as much as I like you. I am +going to speak to her today, Beth." + +"I really think that that is the only thing left to be done; but we +don't want to hurt her feelings, Dolly." + +"I'll try not to do that, Beth, but we must settle affairs." + +However, Mary herself introduced the weighty topic that evening, when the +three were making tea. + +"Of course, I know that you two girls want to room together next year, +but I hope that you have not spoken for a room yet." + +Dolly flushed a little. "We would not be very apt to make any +arrangements without telling you, Mary. You ought to know that we +don't do underhanded things." + +"Why, Dolly, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings at all, but I supposed +you would room together. That was settled long ago, wasn't it? But I +have a little scheme, too, that I trust you will like." + +"Tell us about it," and Dolly looked a trifle ashamed of her +unnecessary heat. + +"Aunt Mary has her bedroom and sitting-room, of course, to herself, but +opening onto her sitting-room from the other side is a small storeroom. +The president says that I may have that as a bedroom if I wish, and I +can use Aunt Mary's sitting-room. They will fit it up this summer. The +college needs more rooms, anyway. Now beyond my room are some lovely +rooms for you girls, if you want them. What do you say? I don't want +to be selfish, but it did seem to me that it might be a lovely plan." + +"Lovely? It is grand! Superb! You are a duck and a darling, Mary, to +have thought of it." + +"Dolly thinks that she will be near Professor Newton now, and she would +be willing to room on the roof to effect that," said Beth mischievously. + +But Dolly was too elated to mind Beth's teasing. "We'll make all sorts +of pretty things this summer. By the way, Beth, where do you intend to +spend the summer, anyway?" + +"Father says that Mother and I may decide that weighty matter. We have +been in the habit of going to the seashore, but he fancies that some +other place would be better for Roy, although the child is very much +stronger since Mother has had him at home under her eye." + +"Then, Elizabeth Newby, I will tell you what to do. Mother writes that +Father has taken the same cottage at the Thousand Isles that we had last +year. You must come there, too. We can have an ideal time. Fred likes +fishing and yachting. He will be away part of the summer, but will be +with us at first, and a crowd of his friends, too. We can have glorious +times! Hurrah!" + +"Hurrah!" echoed Beth, for the idea caught her fancy. "We shall +certainly do it! Mother will agree to whatever I propose. I wish you +were to be there, too, Mary." + +But Mary shook her head contentedly. "I know it is much more beautiful +than our farm, but I don't believe that even a sight of the Alps would +induce me to miss my visit home." + +"Of course not. But you see, fortunately, Dolly and I mean to take our +families along. What a good time we shall have! I wonder if Professor +Newton wouldn't like to make us a little visit? It is beautiful there, +and the ride on the steamers, out and in among the islands on a moonlight +night, is as lovely as anything in fairyland." + +"Go and ask her, Dolly, run right off! Someone else may get her promise +first!" + +"Be still, Beth! Do you think that she would like to go, Mary?" + +"I should certainly suppose that she would be delighted. By the way, +as we are only insignificant freshies still, and have no receptions or +other grand functions on hand like the other classes, she wanted to know +if we would spend Tuesday evening with her." + +"Will we? Of course we will! When did she ask us? Why didn't you tell +us before?" + +"She gave me the message this afternoon, and you have really not given +me a chance to tell it before." + +"What a libel. Say to her that we will go; no doubt of that, is there, +Dolly? Let us put on our best gowns and do justice to the occasion. Is +anyone else invited, Mary?" + +"We are to go immediately after dinner, and a couple of hours later, +Miss Hamilton and some fifteen others will arrive. We must help entertain +them. You know there is nothing special on hand for Tuesday evening." + +"We should go, anyway, no matter where else we were invited," declared +Dolly with decision. "By the way, girls, the year is practically over, +and our president still goes on her way serenely, and the very snobbiest +girls in the class adore her." + +"I am glad. We don't want any class rows, and you know very well how +Abby Dunbar and Helen Raymond would act, if they knew the truth. Though, +after all, I cannot see what difference it makes." + +"Where is she going this summer? Do either of you know?" + +"I asked her yesterday. She is going home for three or four weeks with +Abby Dunbar. After that, she and her mother are going to some quiet +country place." + +Beth gave a sudden laugh. "You know, Mrs. Hamilton never comes to the +college, but Margaret goes to see her almost daily. Abby Dunbar must +have seen her on the evening of our entertainment, for she told me that +she admired Mrs. Hamilton _so_ much; it was such a pity that she was +an invalid! Margaret has never said that she was an invalid, you know. I +suppose Abby just concluded that she must be, because she leads such a +quiet life." + +"She does it entirely for Margaret's sake, I'm sure. Not that Margaret +asks her to do it, but she fears to meet people who knew her when she +was a servant. Abby approves of her, because she dresses well, and is at +the most aristocratic boarding-place in Westover." + +"There is just one thing that I should not do, were I Margaret," said +Beth slowly. "Knowing Abby Dunbar as well as she does, she must be +confident that Abby would not take her home, did she know that both of +Margaret's parents had been servants the greater part of their lives. +Knowing that, I think that Margaret does wrong to go." + +"Isn't that a matter of standpoints? Margaret may reason that _she_ is +the one invited, and that who or what her parents were, need not concern +any person save herself. She would not deny the truth if questioned, +but she sees no use in advertising it. I must say," concluded Mary, +energetically, "that I agree with her." + +"Well, in her place, my dear, I should accept no invitations except such +as I were sure would be given, even if all the facts were known." + +"I hope they will not be known for the next three years, at least. By +the way, do you both thoroughly realize that when we return this fall, +we shall not be insignificant freshmen, but lofty sophomores? That we +shall not be lonely and homesick and have no one to whom to talk, and +that we can haze the newcomers?" + +The girls laughed. + +"What bliss awaits us! By the way, Dolly, you must be our president next +year." + +"I don't know," began Dolly, but Beth broke in; + +"No, she can't be. Don't look so surprised; I am wiser now than +formerly, and I want Dolly to be president in our senior year. I find +that it is an unwritten law that the same person cannot be president +during two years. It seems to be the opinion that there is plenty of +good material for officers in the class, and that it would be piggish +for one person to be president twice. It doesn't make any difference +about the other officers, for they are not so important. I am glad, +now, that Margaret Hamilton was elected last fall." + +"And I am glad that you confess it at last, Beth. Listen a moment! Let +us go and see what all that hubbub in the hall means. Even for the last +week of college, it seems to me there is a dreadful amount of noise." + +"There certainly is, and it behooves us to investigate." + +A louder scream from the hallway made the girls rush out unceremoniously. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + + +At the farther end of the corridor, a crowd had gathered, and the three +girls hurrying there, found that the commotion issued from Charlotte +Graves's room. + +Charlotte was explaining; "It was my exasperating lamp. It has always +been wobbly, and tonight, when I chanced to hit the table, it went over. +I might have known enough to pull a blanket off the bed, and smother it; +but, of course, I just stood here and screamed. Then Margaret Hamilton +came in and put it out. That's what it is to have presence of mind! +I always was a fool when there was anything to be done. I tell you what, +Miss Hamilton, those freshmen knew what they were doing when they elected +you class president. If I'm not brilliant myself, I can recognize a good +thing when I see it." + +"Miss Graves, I tell you what you must do in sheer gratitude to the +freshmen--invite us all in and get out those delicious cakes and pickles +of yours. You ought to treat." + +"That is certainly so, come along, all of you. Sit on the floor if you +can't find any other place to sit," and after the girls had properly +bestowed themselves, she got out her jars and boxes, for Charlotte was +fond of good things and always kept an unlimited supply on hand. + +"I trust you understand," she said severely, "that the rest of you +freshmen are only here out of compliment to your president. I don't for +a moment consider the rest of you her equal in anything. As she has the +misfortune, however, to belong to the class of '09 instead of '08, we +must put up with the rest of you, I suppose, for her sake." + +There was a chorus of groans from the freshmen, and Charlotte's voice +was drowned in an outburst of animated retorts. Under cover of the fun, +Abby Dunbar said to Dolly, who chanced to be sitting next to her on the +window ledge; "One can see that Margaret is a true aristocrat. It shows +in every move she makes, and every word she says." + +"Do you think so?" + +"Why, yes, indeed. Surely you have noticed it? Mamma is always so +careful about my associates, but she cannot help being perfectly +delighted with Margaret. Don't you like her?" + +"I certainly do." + +"I thought you must, for you were so good last fall at the time of our +class elections. Margaret has made an ideal president." + +Then the conversation became general again, much to Dolly's relief. +In some way the subject branched off to military men, and Margaret was +appealed to. + +"Were any of your relatives army men, Miss Hamilton? And don't you +think that they are the finest men in the world?" + +"I have not been blessed with many relations, Miss Fox, and so I have +not had the chance to have military men in my own family and to know them +intimately, as some of you have done. Of course, I admire them. Some of +my ancestors were in the wars of 1776 and 1812, but I never saw them. My +own father was anxious to be a military man and he entered West Point. +He had a splendid record there, and was in love with the life, when he +met with an accident out yachting that ruined his health, left him a +trifle lame, and forced him to give up all thoughts of a military life. +He never got over the disappointment." + +There was a general expression of sympathy, and Margaret found herself +the target for more questions than she cared to answer. In such a babel +of voices, however, it was easy to disregard any which she did not choose +to hear, so that she extricated herself serenely from a position which +Dolly knew to be rather trying. + +It was late, and as Charlotte's cakes and pickles had been demolished, +the girls separated presently. + +"You think that Margaret's story was quite true?" Beth asked as they +slowly paced the corridor on the way back to their rooms. + +"I'm sure of it. Of course, her ancestors may have been privates in the +wars of 1776 and 1812, but still they would have been soldiers all the +same." + +"But about her father?" + +"I imagine that he won his West Point cadetship by a competitive +examination. You know those appointments are given in that way. He may +have been very poor, indeed, but if he stood highest in the examination, +he would certainly receive the appointment. When he left West Point he +evidently had no friends to help him to a good position, and so he took +the first honest work that he could find, at least, I imagine that such +was the case." + +"You are about right, I'm sure. Poor Margaret. I don't know why I pity +her, though. She seems quite capable of holding her own. She is worth +a score of Abby Dunbars." + +"Miss Dunbar will either be a freshman next year, again, or else become +a special student. I understand that the stupid ones who fail in their +examinations, usually linger on for a year or two as 'specials,' so +that they can say they have been at Westover." + +"And Miss Dunbar has failed?" + +"Flatly." + +"I'm glad that we got through, Beth, and Mary is all right, too. I +was rather worried about Mary's mathematics, to tell the truth, but +her aunt gave her some coaching at the last. She is so thankful that +she will not have to take them next year." + +"And I like mathematics better than anything else. I shall take an extra +course in it." + +"You will be sure to win the senior prize for that branch, Beth. I am +a little like Mary, however. I shall not take more mathematics than I +absolutely must." + +"We'll not take mathematics, or anything else, for three blessed +months." + +"We shall have jolly times, my dear, see if we don't." + +And they certainly did. In Dolly's eyes, at least, the evening spent +in Professor Newton's room was more important than the commencement +exercises themselves. Professor Newton had taken a quiet moment to thank +Dolly for her real kindness to Mary during the year, and Dolly thereupon +had summoned courage to beg Professor Newton to visit her during the +summer at the Thousand Isles. The invitation had been accepted, and Dolly +felt that her cup of happiness was running over. + +Mrs. Newby was very glad to accede to Beth's wishes for the summer; and +the girls had a delightful time, for Mr. Newby was fortunate enough to +secure the cottage adjoining the one which Dolly's father had taken. + +Fred brought a crowd of college chums again, and there was plenty of +yachting and fishing. In the evenings there were lovely rows on the St. +Lawrence, and music and singing. + +The girls were provided with kodak cameras, and every week they sent a +group of pictures to Mary. She had started for her home on the day that +college closed, but she wrote regularly, and her letters, which seemed +at first quite stiff and formal, grew toward the end of the vacation to +be as chatty and bright as those sent her by Beth and Dolly. + +Professor Newton's visit had been postponed until the last fortnight, +and when she came, she found a comparatively small crowd at the Alden +cottage. All of Fred's former visitors had left, but Dick Martin and +Bob Steele had come down for the last part of the vacation. The former +had spent his time in the woods of Maine, while Robert Steele had been +doing hard work in a law office in Boston; for he had fully made up his +mind that he would be a lawyer. He would have a hard time, but he was +becoming accustomed to hard times, and his innate grit and indomitable +pluck would doubtless carry him triumphantly through. + +Roy had grown brown and healthy during the summer outing, and Mrs. Newby +declared every day, that she was under infinite obligations to Dolly for +suggesting their coming to the place. + +Beth and her stepmother had grown to know each other well, and Beth +was devoted to Mrs. Newby. It seemed as if she were anxious to make +up in some way, for those miserable years that were lost to them through +a wretched misunderstanding. Mr. Newby seemed younger and brighter +than Beth had ever known him before. While he said but little, his wife +realized that he, too, had paid a heavy penalty during those years, and +that now he was rejoicing in the real family love and good fellowship +that pervaded his home. + +Professor Newton looked at them all with interested eyes. It seemed +strange enough to her that Robert Steele, whose history she knew, should +find Beth so congenial. While there was plenty of depth to Beth, she +usually showed strangers only the froth and sparkle of her character. +However, the two seemed to understand each well, and to be the best +of friends. One day Professor Newton heard Mr. Newby suggesting that +Rob spend the next summer in Philadelphia and read law in his office. +Naturally enough, the young man grasped the opportunity eagerly. It was +a chance which many young men of wealth and social position coveted, +and it had come to him unsolicited. Professor Newton could not help +wondering if Mr. Newby quite realized what he was doing, but she had +no right to interfere, and she was not even sure that she would have +interfered if she had had the right. + +Despite the happy summer-time, the girls were not sorry to return to +college. They were sophomores now, and could afford to look down on the +green freshmen who seemed so forlorn and lonesome. Beth and Dolly fixed +up their rooms in a gorgeous and artistic manner. Dolly's chafing-dish +still held a conspicuous place. Beth had one, too, this year, and their +room bade fair to be one of the most popular in the building. + +Mary was next door, and just beyond was Professor Newton's sitting-room; +for the girls had been able to carry out the plan that Mary had proposed +at the close of the freshmen year. + +Margaret Hamilton looked into their room as they were giving the +finishing touches. + +"May I come in, or are you too busy to talk?" + +"As if we were ever too busy to talk to our president," said Dolly +promptly, pushing her guest down into an easy chair. + +"I shall not be president after this week, you know, and that is what +brought me here. Who is your candidate for the place?" + +"Not Dolly," said Beth promptly. "I have set my heart on her being +president during our senior year." + +Margaret's brow cleared. "She would make a capital president for our +last year, and I pledge myself to work for her. Now, as she is out of +the question, for the present, I want to tell you that my candidate is +Elizabeth Newby." + +"How perfectly absurd!" That was Beth's exclamation, of course. + +"It is not absurd, and I want you, please, to listen to me. She can be +elected, for the girls have not forgotten how grateful they were to her +for saving our reputation at the entertainment last fall. There is no +other strong candidate. Of course, ever so many names will be proposed +in as large a class as ours, but the only one who will carry many votes +is Hazel Fox." + +"Hazel Fox!" the girls both exclaimed aghast. + +"Yes, and you see what I mean. She is not the person for the place. We +could not feel proud of her in any way. She barely escaped conditions +this year, and I don't suppose she will ever get through the sophomore +year with a clean record. The class is so grateful to Elizabeth, that +she could be elected almost unanimously. What do you say?" + +"Never mind what Beth says, I say that it is a 'go.' I'll work +for her with all my might and main. I'm sure she will be elected! Of +course, you will be made chairman of the executive committee." This was +a position which the classes had uniformly given the retiring president. + +"I do not know. The girls may want someone else elected." And Dolly +told herself that Margaret never felt sure of her hold on her classmates. +She felt that Margaret would feel more secure if every bit of her +history were known; probably, too, she would be happier. + +They talked over the coming elections at some length, and had just +decided upon the list of candidates whom they would favor when Mary +entered. The news was told to her, and she endorsed Beth's candidacy +very heartily, despite the fact that Beth herself persisted in regarding +the whole matter as a huge joke. + +It was impossible, seemingly, for Beth to realize that she was actually +popular with the girls, that her many little deeds of quiet kindness, +and her bright ways, had won her a warm corner in every heart. The matter +was talked over again after Mary's entrance, and then Mary announced a +bit of news herself. + +"We have an addition to our class. Did you know it? Miss Van Gerder +was a freshman two years ago, and was a fine student, I believe; but +she was not here last year because her mother's health was poor, and +they went to Europe. We shall have one of the largest sophomore classes +ever enrolled here. I am glad that she is to be one of us, aren't you?" + +"Do you know her first name and in what city she lives?" Margaret +asked, ignoring Mary's question. + +"She lives in New York, and her first name is Constance." + +Something in Margaret Hamilton's tone had caused all three of the girls +to look at her intently. There was no disguising the fact that she was +startled and dismayed. All of them realized that Miss Van Gerder must +have known Margaret in the old days in Chicago, and all three felt sorry +for her now. Her position was not enviable. She showed little of what +she felt, however, and soon after returned to her own room. + +Dolly and Beth were passing along the lower corridor to the dining-room +that evening, when they heard someone exclaim; "Why, Margaret, how glad +I am to see you! I did not know what had become of you after you left +Chicago!" + +The speaker was a tall, stylish girl, whom they knew to be Miss Van +Gerder. At least, she appeared to like Margaret, and Dolly saw Abby +Dunbar's eyes sparkle at this unmistakable proof of her friend's +"aristocracy," for Constance Van Gerder was the daughter of one of the +richest men in the country, and neither Miss Dunbar, nor anyone else at +the college could claim the wealth or social distinction of the Van +Gerders. Her face was not handsome, but Dolly liked it; it was fine +and clear-cut. A face that was too noble for petty motives or mean +ambitions. + +Margaret had no time to say more than a few words in reply, when the +second gong hurried them to the dining-room. Dolly tried to gain Miss Van +Gerder's side and sit beside her at the table, for as yet the permanent +places had not been assigned, and the students took whatever seats they +wished. + +Dolly found herself foiled, however, in this attempt, by Abby Dunbar, who +had evidently determined to make the most of the opportunity, and who +kept beside her new classmate until they took their seats at table. Beth +and Dolly were opposite them, but Margaret was at another table at the +far end of the room. + +"Miss Van Gerder looks kind," whispered Beth to Dolly. "If we only +sat next to her, so as to prevent her saying anything during this meal, +there would be no further danger. After dinner I shall carry her off to +our room and tell her the whole story. Oh, yes! you needn't look so +surprised. I'm not acquainted with her, but I shall do it anyway. You +must mount guard outside, during the scene, and not let anyone else come +in." + +"If only she does not say something, all unconsciously, during the +dinner! I feel on pins and needles myself. What must Margaret feel?" + + + + +CHAPTER XII + + +"Margaret has pluck and pride. She will hold her head as high as ever, +no matter what Miss Van Gerder may choose to say, and if there be any +snubbing to be done, she will do it as effectually as Abby Dunbar." + +"Very true, but to think that the two are rooming together!" + +"Yes, I confess that, in my opinion, Margaret made a mistake there. I +should not have accepted any favors or any invitations from that girl +had I been Margaret, but that is her affair, after all." + +"Look! Look quickly, at Abby Dunbar's face," whispered Dolly +excitedly. "The murder is out! I would give a dime to hear what she is +saying. There! Miss Van Gerder realizes that she has said something +she will regret. I suppose Abby was pumping in the very persistent way +she has, and Miss Van Gerder merely answered her questions. Oh, how +could she have been so thoughtless, though? She might have known that +Westover is one of the snobbiest colleges in the world." + +"There is no use trying to head her off now," Beth declared +disconsolately. "Still, I mean to have my talk with her anyway. If +it be possible to repair the mischief, she will do it. Miss Dunbar is +glaring at Margaret as if she would like to murder her!" + +"Do you suppose that she remembers all the speeches she has made about +Margaret's aristocratic bearing? If she acts as contemptibly as I expect +she will, I shall repeat some of those speeches for her benefit. I've +been treasuring them in my memory." + +"I wish this meal would come to an end." + +To the two impatient girls, anxious to find out just what Miss Van +Gerder had said, and what she would do in amends, dinner seemed a most +interminable meal. It came to an end at last, however, and Beth, with +her usual directness, walked at once to Miss Van Gerder. "Will you +please come to my room a few moments? I wish very particularly to see +you. I am Elizabeth Newby, and I am very fond of Margaret Hamilton," and +Beth was speaking the truth when she made that assertion, for she had +come to like Margaret as she had not expected that she ever would. + +Miss Van Gerder rose instantly, despite Abby Dunbar's exclamation of +annoyance. She had not been able to hear what Beth said, but she was not +at all ready to resign her claim on the new arrival. + +"Please don't go, Miss Newby. Miss Van Gerder has just been telling +me the most awful thing about Margaret Hamilton, and to think I begged +her to room with me, and took her home with me this summer, and that we +made her class president, it is too awful--and--" + +Miss Van Gerder paused a moment, a rather dangerous light in her eyes. +"I shall be glad if I can persuade you to relinquish your claims on +Margaret, for I want her as a room-mate myself." Then she passed on. + +Beth squeezed her arm ecstatically, regardless of the fact that they had +never been even introduced. "You are a darling, but, oh, what possessed +you to tell that girl anything about Margaret?" + +"How do you know I did? Oh, I suppose you were watching us. I noticed +your eyes on us all through the meal. How do you happen to know anything +more about Margaret than her room-mate?" + +"That is what I want to tell you. Will you come in, please? This is my +room. Let me introduce you to two more of your classmates--my room-mate, +Miss Alden, and Miss Sutherland, our star student in biology. No, +don't go, girls." + +"I thought that I was to keep intruders out." + +"We will just lock the doors, and pay no attention to any knocks. +Now, Miss Van Gerder, if you please, we will tell you first, what we +know about Margaret and how we learned it; we are the only ones in the +college who do know anything more than she has seen fit to tell. But +don't imagine that she has said that she was anything that she really +wasn't." + +"I am glad of that, now tell me your story." + +So Beth told it, with various interpolations by Dolly and Mary; she +repeated both Rob Steele's story and the conversation which she and +Dolly had chanced to overhear on the night of the freshman entertainment. + +[Illustration: "Let me introduce you to two more of your classmates."] + +Miss Van Gerder drew a deep breath. "I shall never forgive myself for +the mischief I have done, but I will do my best to repair it. Let me +tell you what I know of Margaret's family. In the first place, Mr. +Worthington was my great-uncle, and I visited at his Chicago home very +often, so that is the way I came to know Margaret. I never saw very +much of her, for she was in school or busy helping her mother, and, +of course, I was going to teas and receptions, and such things, when I +was there, although I wasn't much more than a child. Mrs. Hamilton was +uncle's housekeeper for years, and after his wife died, he depended on +her entirely for things not often entrusted to a servant. He had no +children. Mrs. Hamilton was a farmer's daughter; she is a good, +sensible, honest woman. She has always been very ambitious for Margaret, +and that is not strange, for Margaret has a fine intellect. She +inherits it from her father. He was a farmer's boy and came from the +same locality as Mrs. Hamilton. They knew each other as children, and +went to the same district school. There Mrs. Hamilton's education +stopped. Mr. Hamilton, however, had made up his mind, as a boy, to go +to West Point. He had no political influence to help him, so he studied +with all his energy and might. He finally went to the city, obtained +employment at a boarding-house to do work out of schooltime, and so +he managed to gain a thorough foundation. He knew that his only chance +of getting to West Point at all, lay in his ability to outdistance +other boys in a competitive examination. So I suppose no boy ever studied +harder than did he." + +She stopped a moment to look at the interested faces of her auditors. +"His chance finally came and he was ready for it. A congressional +appointment was offered the boy who stood highest. Mr. Hamilton won it. +He went to West Point, and for nearly three years he did fine work. +While he was there, his father died. His mother had died long before. His +father was ill for months before his death, and Mr. Hamilton sent home +every cent that he could spare. At Easter time in his third year he +was invited, with some other West Pointers, to spend the day with an +acquaintance up the Hudson. They got permission and went. I do not know +who their host was, but he was not a West Pointer. During the afternoon +he took the cadets out in a sailboat. I presume he knew enough of +boats ordinarily, but he was drunk that day; he would not let any of +the other young men take charge, and so, when a little gust of wind +came up, the boat went over. The others escaped with a ducking--even +the drunken fellow who was solely responsible for the accident; but +Mr. Hamilton struck on a rock, on the boat, or on something--no one ever +knew just how it happened; anyway, the boys had hard work saving him, +though he was a fine swimmer. When they pulled him into the boat, he +was insensible. For weeks they thought that he would not recover, and +when he did get well, it was only to learn that he must resign his +cadetship. There had been an accident to his spine which rendered him +totally unfit for a cadet's life." + +"How horribly, horribly sad." + +"It was sad, and he wished thousands of times that his companions had +let him drown. He would not give up hope until he had spent every cent of +money he possessed in consulting specialists. But they could do nothing +for him. He drifted to Chicago, perfectly unfit for any heavy work. He +tried several things and had to give them up. Then uncle chanced to +advertise for a coachman. Mr. Hamilton answered the advertisement, told +uncle his story, and stayed with him from that time until his death +about six years ago." + +"And Mrs. Hamilton?" + +"He had very few friends, and all the time that he was at West Point he +had corresponded with Mrs. Hamilton. They had always been good friends; +she must have been very pretty as a girl. When uncle heard that they +were to be married, he fitted up a tiny coachman's house in the rear +of his grounds. He liked them both very much. Afterward, he induced Mrs. +Hamilton to come up to the house and act as his housekeeper. He came to +depend upon her more and more." + +"But where do you suppose their money came from?" + +"Uncle left Mrs. Hamilton seven thousand dollars. He knew that Margaret +wished to fit herself for a teacher in the higher grades, and he always +meant to help her through college. The money was intended partly for +that purpose, I am sure. Margaret probably refused to come unless her +mother would stop working. After she has graduated here, she can easily +secure a position, and support them both. They will have plenty of +money to last until then, for Mrs. Hamilton must have saved considerable, +too. Uncle paid her generously." + +"I think that your story of her father is very sad. With his education +it does seem as if he could have secured some clerical work or some +position in a bank." + +"There are eight hundred applicants for every such place; besides, +Mr. Hamilton could not sit in a cramped position, writing; he had to have +a certain amount of outdoor life, though he could not walk far. Really, +his work at my uncle's, suited his health admirably, though it was +hard for him to take a servant's position; there is no doubt of that. +Uncle was kind to him, and made the position as easy as possible, still +there was no denying the fact that he was a coachman. One day a young man +came to visit uncle while I was there. It turned out that he had been at +West Point while Mr. Hamilton was a cadet. Margaret's father felt +horribly disgraced, though there was no reason why he should. He had to +meet Lieutenant Maynard, and it hurt his pride fearfully to act the part +of a servant toward his former classmate. He always felt rebellious and +bitter. He wasn't big enough to realize that 'a man's a man for +a' that.' I suppose it is hard to keep that fact in mind under all +circumstances, and I have no business to be preaching, for I would +probably feel more bitter than did he, if I should ever be similarly +placed. As long as his own ambitions had been defeated, he became +ambitious for Margaret. She was to have a fine education, and to be a +professor in some college. She had a few school friends, but not many +intimates. Her mother felt that she was slighted at school." + +"And yet," Beth could not resist saying reproachfully, "you have made +it even worse for her here." + +"Yes, but you must believe that I did it all unwittingly. I never +gave a thought to what I was saying. I shall never forgive myself for my +carelessness. It came about naturally enough, though. Miss Dunbar seemed +intensely interested in Margaret, and kept asking questions until I was +rather out of patience, particularly as I was trying to listen to a +story which Professor Newton was telling. She wanted to know where I +had met Margaret and if I knew her very well. I said that I met her at +my uncle's home in Chicago. Was Margaret visiting there? No, she lived +there. Oh, then she was some relative of my uncle's? And I carelessly +said no, that her mother had charge of uncle's house. I should have +thought twice before speaking, if I had not been giving my main attention +to Professor Newton. As soon as I had made the remark, there seemed +to be a volcanic eruption at my side, and I thought that Miss Dunbar +would have hysterics on the spot. She said that she regretted the +fact that Margaret was her room-mate; that she was not accustomed to +rooming with servants, and, of course, she will be awfully disagreeable +to her. I took a double room, but I intended to be alone. Now, however, I +shall ask one of the professors to allow Margaret to come in with me. +The sooner that is done, the better for all concerned. I wonder to +whom I had better go?" + +"Go to Professor Newton," said Dolly promptly, "and take Miss +Sutherland with you. She is Professor Newton's niece, and can help you +out, if you need any assistance, but I do not suppose you will." + +"Thanks for the suggestion. I shall get the permission first, but +possibly Margaret will not care to room with me after the hornet's nest +I have raised. I wonder, Miss Alden, if you would ask her to come here +while Miss Sutherland and I are interviewing Professor Newton?" + +"I shall be very glad to do so. It will be much better to have your +talk here, than in her room, where Abby Dunbar would be liable to +interrupt you at any moment. And, Miss Van Gerder, do not feel too +conscience-stricken over your inadvertence. For my part, I believe +that Margaret will be glad, after the first fuss is over. No one, +then, can accuse her of sailing under false colors. Everything will +be perfectly open and aboveboard." + +"It is good of you to say so, but I am sure that your room-mate does not +hold that opinion. At least, I made no mention of her father. I presume +that would be a still harder thing for Miss Dunbar to overlook." + +"I think," said Dolly persistently, "that it would have been better +for all concerned, if you had said that Mr. Hamilton was your uncle's +coachman. Then everything would have been told at once, and Margaret +would have no future disclosures to dread." + +"I think I was sufficiently stupid as it was;" and then Mary and Miss +Van Gerder went off to see Professor Newton, while Dolly went in search +of Miss Hamilton. + +She did not fancy the errand much, for she had a premonition that Miss +Dunbar might also be in the room, and that a scene would be inevitable. +And she was not wrong. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + + +As she drew near Margaret's room, she caught the sound of excited +voices. Abby Dunbar's tones reached her, high-pitched and shrill. + +"You have been a fraud, nothing but a fraud, from beginning to end. +You have imposed upon us all. There is no use trying to carry it off +with such a high hand! You led us all to suppose that your people were +respectable, and so we took you in, and now it seems that your mother +was nothing but a servant, and--" + +"And perhaps you would also like to know (as you evidently are not aware +of the fact as yet), that my father was a coachman. I am exceedingly +proud of them both, and--" + +"I don't see how you dare to stand there and face us! Let me tell you +one thing, though--" + +Dolly ran hastily down the hall. She could stand it no longer. Her +indignation burned hotly for Margaret. Why were girls so much narrower +than boys? Rob Steele had been a coachman and errand-boy, and even a +bootblack. He did not hesitate to say so; and yet, with possibly a very +few exceptions, none of the students at Harvard treated him with any +the less respect for it. But Margaret-- + +Dolly paused in the doorway, almost breathless. "Oh, Margaret, we are +going to have a little impromptu tea in my room--Miss Van Gerder, and a +couple of others. I have been sent for you. Please come!" + +"You do not know that you are inviting the daughter of a coachman and +a housekeeper, Miss Alden. It is time for people to know exactly who and +what our class president is. She has been sailing under false colors +long enough." + +Margaret stood pale and cold during this tirade. The room was full of +sophomores--Abby Dunbar's sympathizers, as was very evident. + +"Oh, yes," said Dolly carelessly, "of course I've known all about +Miss Hamilton's parents since early in our freshman year, but I didn't +see what difference it made. Are you going to ask us all to write out our +ancestral history for your benefit? I'm afraid that we are too good +republicans here to do that for you. By the way, Margaret, Miss Van +Gerder is going to beg permission of Professor Newton for you to room +with her. In fact, she has gone to her now, and she wants to coax you +into the plan." + +Dolly threw this little bombshell with secret glee. If Miss Van Gerder +intended taking Margaret up, how could these girls, with not a tithe of +her wealth or standing, urge their petty reasons for snubbing Margaret? + +She carried her off before there was time for further controversy. There +should be no more ill words said than she could help. It is hard to +unsay harsh things. It is much better to prevent their being uttered at +all. There would doubtless be enough said at best, but Dolly felt that +her prompt action had probably prevented a few bitter flings anyway. +At the door of her room Margaret detained her. Dolly had chattered +all of the way down the hall. Margaret had not uttered a word. Now she +looked steadily at Dolly. + +"Are you not laboring under some delusion or excitement? I had better +give you the details of our family history before I go in." + +"Nonsense! I have known your history, as I said, since the Christmas +holidays. What does it matter? Come in, and Beth shall make tea for us." + +"But do tell me how you knew." + +"I will tell you everything, only come in," and Dolly gave her a +good-natured push into the room where the others were waiting for them, +for Mary and Miss Van Gerder had already returned with permission for +Margaret to change rooms, if she desired. + +"I sincerely hope that you do desire, for I really want you, Margaret." + +"You are very good, Miss Van Gerder." + +"Now stop right there, Margaret. Whether you room with me or not, you +shall not be formal. My name is Constance, and you know it very well." + +"I never called you by it," said Margaret steadily. + +"I hope you will now. Please don't spoil the entire year for me. If you +will consent to share my rooms, and let me make up for my thoughtlessness +in so far as I may, you will be doing me a great favor." + +"I do not see why you should not have said what you did; it was the +truth, and there was no reason why it should not have been told. You must +not feel that you owe me any reparation. That is not true. So far as +I am concerned, while the present moment may be a little disagreeable in +many respects, I cannot altogether regret what has occurred. Mother, +naturally, will feel sorry, but there cannot be further disclosures, +for I filled in, for Miss Dunbar's benefit, all the details that you +had omitted. She knows that Father was your uncle's coachman, and--" + +"And he was a good one, and we all liked him. What a tempest in a teapot +this is! Now be sensible. You are going to be my room-mate as a favor +to me. I beg it. That is settled. I shall see that Patrick comes and +moves your trunks this afternoon, and as soon as we have had some of +Miss Newby's tea, we are all going over to your room to help you carry +the lighter things. There is no need to bother packing those." + +"Of course not," said Beth readily. "We shall be delighted to help +you. With five of us at work, we shall have everything moved in half an +hour." + +Margaret looked only half-satisfied. She had pride, too. If Constance +Van Gerder was taking her in a spirit of self-sacrifice, she had no +intention of becoming her room-mate. Things would not be pleasant, but +she could stand it, even if she _were_ ostracized. + +But Constance read her easily, and without referring again to the +subject, she soothed her wounded pride and contrived to let her know +that she was actually wanted. + +A little later they all started for Margaret's room to aid her in +the "moving process." The room was still filled with Abby Dunbar's +friends, and they were evidently much excited. + +Constance included them all in the cool little nod that she gave on +entering. "You must not bear malice against me, Miss Dunbar, for +stealing your room-mate. I did not know that she was at Westover, so I +made arrangements to room alone, but now I must put in my claim. My +right is the prior one, for I have known her so much longer." + +Constance had been talking against time. She wanted Margaret to leave +the room with her load of small articles. There was just one word that +she intended saying to these girls on the subject they were discussing; +then she intended to have the matter closed forever, so far as she was +concerned. + +Abby Dunbar herself gave the opportunity for the desired remark, just +as Margaret passed from the room. + +"Are you actually in earnest? I did not believe you could mean it! Have +you asked her to room with you? Of course, we understand that you did +it in a charitable spirit, and because you are sorry for her position +here, since she has been found out, but--" + +"Excuse my interrupting you. I have asked Miss Hamilton to room with +me because her companionship will be a pleasure. I had to coax rather +hard before she would consent. There is just one other thing to be said. +Our sitting-room is common property, and I shall never care to see anyone +there who is at all discourteous to Margaret!" + +With that she turned away and picked up a pile of Margaret's books. +She had made a telling speech and she knew it. Constance could not be +unaware of the influence she exerted socially, by means of her mere name. +The girls would not wish to shut themselves out from all the privileges +of her room, and there would be no more open acts of aggression so far as +Margaret was concerned. Of that Constance felt assured. At the same +time it was certain that Margaret would be subjected to many petty +slights and snubs and wounds. But she would have to endure those, and +her nature was too fine to allow of her growing bitter because of them. + +There was gossip and much quiet talk, but Constance Van Gerder's +determined stand put an end to open insults and recriminations. Two +days later, there was another subject for gossip, also, for Margery +Ainsworth had been readmitted to college on "probation." Such a thing +had rarely been known before, and the stigma of disgrace attaching to +such students as were on "probation" was great. It was understood +that they were under special surveillance, and the many privileges +accorded other students were withheld from them. Of course, Margery had +come back as a freshman. The girls had heard that Mr. Ainsworth was +intensely angry with Margery, and had declared that she must stay at +Westover until she graduated, if it took a hundred years. She was to +room with a freshman, and, judging from her expression, she had come +back reluctantly and rebelliously. Dolly and Beth talked it over, and +wondered what good end Mr. Ainsworth could hope to effect by sending her +to college, when she was in such an obstinate frame of mind. + +"At least, she has diverted the attention of the girls from Margaret, +and, Beth, I like her more than I ever supposed I could. Didn't she +preside with dignity at our class meeting last evening, though? No one +would ever have guessed how some of the girls stormed at her only a few +days ago." + +"'Tis fortunate that she has Constance Van Gerder as a loyal friend. +To tell the truth, I think that she is relieved now. There is nothing +for her to hide or cover up. We must see Constance about the class +elections, though. They will come in two days, and I am positive that +Abby Dunbar will try to prevent Margaret's being elected chairman of +the executive committee. That is a position which has always been given +to the retiring president, and certainly Margaret has done enough for +our class to deserve the honor. It would be a shame to slight her." + +"Yes, it would. Constance is in her room now, I think, and Margaret will +be at the literature lecture. Come, we will see her at once." + +Constance was very glad to promise her help to the girls, and the +work commenced that day in earnest. They soon found that Abby and her +particular coterie had been hard at work for some little time, but +Margaret's supporters labored with a will, and went to their class +meeting with hopeful hearts. + +"I am anxious about two offices," Dolly confessed to Miss Van Gerder +as she walked down the hall toward the room in which the meeting would +be held. "I want to see Beth elected president, and I want Margaret +made chairman of the executive committee." Some way, rather to their +own astonishment, Beth and Dolly found themselves on very intimate terms +with Miss Van Gerder. The three, with Margaret, made a very congenial +quartette. + +Mary Sutherland felt at a disadvantage before this girl, whose father's +name was a world-wide synonym for wealth. She was never at her best +when Constance was present. She utterly refused to go to her room, and +Dolly finally lost all patience with her. + +"You must have a very low opinion of yourself, Mary Sutherland, if +you think that a few dollars are worth more than you are. Can't you +see what kind of a girl Constance Van Gerder is? Of course, she knows +that she is immensely rich, but she is not silly. She doesn't dress +extravagantly, or load herself with jewelry. In fact, there are a dozen +girls here, who spend more on dress in the course of a year than she +does. Her gowns fit to perfection, and they are always made in good +taste, but she doesn't care for such things. She is forever doing +quiet, lovely things for other people. Your aunt told me that she thought +Miss Van Gerder would take up college settlement work. Whether she does +or not, she will not be a useless butterfly of fashion." + +"There is no use my trying to know her better. We have nothing in +common. I am poor and she is tremendously rich." + +"You mean that you are vilely proud, Mary Sutherland. If you were not +so proud, you would see how gracious and lovely Constance Van Gerder is. +It is just as much a crime for a poor person to be proud as for a rich +one. Why can't you be yourself, and enjoy Constance and her bright ways +as Beth and I do?" + +But Mary refused to listen to reason, and drew more and more into her +shell. College had only been in session a short time now, but it was +evident that Mary was going to isolate herself, despite all that Dolly +and Beth could say, and despite Dolly's exasperated appeals to Professor +Newton. There was a strong vein of stubbornness in Mary, and much as +she loved her aunt, she declined to argue this matter with her. "The +girls had been good to her last year, because Dolly had been compelled +to room with her, but she was not their kind, anyway, and she wasn't +going to force herself in where she was not wanted." + +Professor Newton and the girls had given up the effort in despair, and +Mary was left to gang her ain gait. The sophomore elections had been +deferred a little for one reason and another, and it was now the end of +the third week. + +If Margaret's friends had worked hard in her behalf, the opposition had +been working hard, also, and before the meeting had advanced far, Dolly +began to lose heart. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + + +When things were fairly under way, Dolly nominated Beth for the +presidency. Half a dozen other nominations were made, but the result +was very satisfactory to Beth's friends, as she was elected by a large +majority. + +Constance was made vice-president without opposition, and the rest +of the balloting went smoothly enough until the executive committee +was reached. Then Constance made her first little speech, nominating +Margaret for the chairmanship, and putting forcibly before the class, the +good work that she had done as president, and "for which," Constance +concluded with significant emphasis, "we want, most assuredly, to show +our gratitude now, in the only way possible." + +Abby Dunbar was immediately nominated by Grace Chisholm, and then, as +no other names were mentioned, the balloting proceeded. + +Beth felt more nervous over this, than she had when her own name was +up for the presidency. Constance had done her best, and there was no +doubting her influence; still, the balloting was secret, and might not +some of the girls leave Constance under the impression that they would +vote for Margaret, and now, when the time had come for the voting, cast +their ballots for Abby Dunbar? Constance would not be able to tell what +girls had kept faith with her, and what ones had not. + +"I would never do for a politician," Beth confided to Dolly in a +whisper. "I am too nervous and excitable; see how cool Constance is, and +Margaret, too." + +"Yet Margaret will feel it bitterly, if she is defeated under these +circumstances; and as a class we ought to be ashamed of it if she _be_ +defeated, for it will be an open acknowledgment of the fact that we care +more for dollars and cents, than we do for genuine worth and ability. I +shall be ashamed of the sophomores if Margaret is not elected." + +The class had lost some of its members, and had gained several new ones, +so that at this time it numbered an even three hundred. Even Margaret, +with all her self-control, began to show the strain before the tellers +appeared. + +The chairman was an enthusiastic admirer of Margaret, and her voice +vibrated triumphantly as she tried to announce in a perfectly calm tone, +the result of the voting: + + Margaret Hamilton . . . . 153 votes. + Abby Dunbar . . . . . . . 147 votes. + +There was a moment of utter silence, then Constance started the applause +which grew and grew until it became an actual uproar. Even those who +had voted against Margaret, now, with few exceptions, joined in the +applause, for Constance's keen eyes were sweeping the room, and not +a girl present wished to be ranged in open opposition to her. It was +she, and she alone, who had carried the day for Margaret. + +Margaret realized the fact, and, while she was grateful, she felt stung +and hurt. Constance found her in tears when she went to their room +sometime after the meeting had dispersed. Tears, with Margaret, were +a rare thing. Constance knew what they meant this time, although she +affected not to. + +"You see, Margaret, that you were elected, despite your declaration that +you would not be. Aren't you ashamed of the little faith you had in your +friends?" + +"It was your friends who elected me, Constance, not mine. I am in no +danger of making any mistake on that point. Do you suppose that I do not +know how you have been working for me?" + +"What of that?" + +"If you had been as poor as I, how much influence would you have had? I +am not ungrateful to you--please do not think that--but I have been +treated to such a succession of slights all of my life, that I cannot +help feeling a wee bit bitter. I was not elected tonight because of +any gratitude or liking that the girls have for me, but merely because +you--Constance Van Gerder, who will one day be one of the richest women +in this country--have chosen to befriend me, and so asked those girls +to vote for me. If it were not a cowardly thing to do, I should go +away from here to some other college. I would take care to proclaim my +full history the very first day I was there, and I would not attempt +to make a single friend." + +"That would be a cowardly thing to do. Next year neither Abby Dunbar +nor Grace Chisholm will be here. They will never manage to get through +the sophomore work. They are the only ones who are your active enemies, +and they are such, merely through spite and jealousy. You are a good +student, Meg; do your best for your mother's sake and for mine, too. +I want you to carry off some honors on Commencement Day." + +"I will do my best for you; you have done so much for me that I could +not refuse to try, at least. I think I shall get permission to run down +and see my mother for an hour. Professor Newton may think it too late +to go, but I would like to tell Mother that I was elected. I should not +have let you propose my name at all, if it had not been for her." + +"Then you would have been a big simpleton. I am positive, Meg, that +Professor Newton will not listen to your going out tonight, but you can +telephone to your mother. Will not that do?" + +"And have Abby Dunbar and all the other girls hear me? I couldn't +possibly. If the telephone were not just inside the reception room where +the entire college can hear what is said, I might do that." + +"I see. Don't trouble yourself. It is out of the question for you to go +to town tonight at this hour. Professor Newton would consider you crazy +to ask, but I can appreciate your mother's anxiety, and I am going to +telephone to her. It will give me great pleasure to do this, and the more +of Abby's friends that are within hearing, the better." + +"You are very kind, but--" + +Constance had gone unceremoniously, and Margaret's expostulation was +cut short. + +As Constance had predicted, the little tempest created by the revelation +of Margaret's family history soon died down. Of course, it was only +Constance's strong influence which brought about this result; none of +the girls wished to cut themselves off absolutely from her acquaintance, +and Constance made it very plain that those who showed the least +discourtesy to Margaret were no friends of hers. + +Poor Mrs. Hamilton had been almost heartbroken when she first learned of +Margaret's troubles, but Margaret herself had made as light as possible +of them, and the fact that she was now Constance's room-mate, reconciled +Mrs. Hamilton to everything. + +The sophomore year was generally conceded by both the students and the +faculty, to be the hardest year at Westover College. While the girls +whom we know managed to have some good times in a quiet way, they found +themselves, for the most part, kept very busy. + +Mary Sutherland drew more and more into her shell, as Beth and Dolly +grew more intimate with Margaret and Constance. Dolly complained of +it repeatedly to Professor Newton. "Mary acts as if we did not have +love enough to go around. Just as if Beth and I couldn't care for her +now, because we like Margaret and Constance Van Gerder. I wonder if she +thinks that love is measured out by the quart, Professor Newton, and that +Beth and I have exhausted our supply?" + +"You must be patient with my stubborn little niece, Dolly dear; she is +her own worst enemy. Neither you nor I can say anything to her now. She +is wilfully losing lots of enjoyment out of these college days. She has +made no new friendships, for she thinks too much of you and Beth to do +that. In truth, she is jealous and unreasonable, but she fails to see it. +She might as well demand that God's blessed sunshine shall illumine +only a few places. Some things grow by the using. Our power of loving +is one of those things, Dolly. God's love reaches all the infinity of +His creatures, and yet its depths are boundless. It is immeasurable. +Sometime Mary will learn this." + +At Thanksgiving time Dolly carried Mary off to her own home. Beth could +not be persuaded to stop this time. She thought of last year, when she +had had no desire to go home at all, and could not but marvel at the +difference in her feelings now. In truth, Beth was making up for all +those years of repression and coldness, by the wealth of love which +she lavished upon her own people. And they returned it a thousandfold. +Dearly as Mrs. Newby loved her own dainty little Nell, she knew that +this child was no dearer to her than was Beth. + +Mary had gone home with Dolly half under protest, but Dolly would listen +to no excuses, and Professor Newton urged her so strongly to accept the +invitation, that Mary finally went. Dolly felt confident that this brief +visit would serve to clear away the clouds that had come between them; +but in this she was disappointed. Some way she saw little of Mary, +after all. Did Fred monopolize Mary's society--the two were certainly +together a great deal--or, had she enjoyed Dick Martin's indolent +witticisms and quiet humor so much that she had neglected Mary? She felt +rather uneasy about it, and promised herself to atone at the Christmas +holidays. But when the Christmas holidays came, there were new plans for +all. + +Margaret was to go home with Constance for the entire vacation. She +had demurred about leaving her mother, but Mrs. Hamilton had insisted +strongly that she should go for the whole time. "It is not as if you +were where I could not see you every day, dear. Of course, I would love +to have you with me, but just now I would much rather have you visit +Miss Van Gerder." And Margaret, seeing that her mother really meant +what she said, yielded the point, and went home with Constance. + +There was to be a house party at Constance's for the last week of the +vacation. Dolly and Beth were invited as well as Hope Brereton and Hazel +Browne. + +"I don't know Miss Sutherland well enough to ask her to be of our +party," Constance said to Dolly. "She is so far away from home that I +would like to ask her if I felt better acquainted. I don't see how you +ever came to know her. She absolutely repels all advances." + +Dolly laughed, although she was inwardly provoked with Mary. What good +times she was cheating herself of! Could she not recognize genuine +goodness when she saw it? What made Mary so blind and obtuse in these +days? "Mary is just like a chestnut-burr on the outside," she replied +now to Constance. "Sometime she will get tired of pricking all of her +friends, and then everyone will see what a genuine heart of gold she +has." + +"I hope she will shed the burr soon, for her own sake. People do not +like to get stung and pricked when they approach her in a friendly +manner." + +"I have preached until I am tired. We must leave her alone now. I am +going to take her home with me, and Mother intends keeping her after I +go on to your house. She is quite in love with Mother, and is as nearly +demonstrative with her, as it is possible for Mary to be with anyone. We +shall be a very congenial party at your house, Constance. You always do +manage to get together people that suit." + +"I am afraid that you will take back that remark when you know of one +more invitation that I want to give today." + +"What in the world do you mean?" + +"Don't be stunned, but I want to have Margery Ainsworth. Shall I?" + +"The idea of asking us whom you shall invite to your own home! How +absurd!" + +"But you don't like Margery." + +"I hadn't known that you did either," Dolly said frankly. + +"I have felt a little sorry for her lately. We have seen more or less +of each other all our lives; we both live in New York, and as children +we went to the same kindergarten, and we have seen each other with some +frequency during all the in-between years. Just now Margery is not having +an easy time. Instead of being a junior, as she would have been in +the ordinary course of events, she is only a freshman, but I have learned +that she is doing extra work and has taken some extra examinations. She +hopes to come into our class as a full sophomore after Christmas." + +"I wonder what has roused her so. She was never a student in any sense +of the word, last year." + +"She knows that her father is earnest in his determination to have +her complete her course here, and so she is resolved to get through +as quickly as possible. She has lost one year, but there is no reason why +she should lose two. She is discovering unsuspected capabilities for +study in herself; you must have noticed that she takes no recreation +and has no friends. She is settling down into a mere 'grind.'" + +"Margery Ainsworth, of all people!" + +"It is strange. She does not love study any better than she once did, +but she has an indomitable perseverance when her will is aroused. Just +now she is determined to get through college as soon as possible, and to +maintain a good standing. I cannot see why Mr. Ainsworth is so resolved +that she shall graduate from here. She is an only child, and her mother +is an invalid. He must have some weighty reason for sending her off, +when she would be such a comfort to her mother." + +"It must hurt her pride fearfully to be under constant supervision, +not to be able to go where other girls go, and to feel that she is not +trusted." + +"It is hard, most certainly, but Margery brought all that on herself. +One cannot do wrong without meeting the penalties for it, in some way +or other, even in this life. But if she succeeds in making the sophomore +class, she will come into it with a clean page turned. I happen to know +that the faculty means to give her a chance to wipe out old scores." + +"And you want to help the girl? Well, you don't suppose that any of +the rest of us would be so mean-spirited as to make objections? If you +think that, you had better withdraw our invitations." + +"Don't talk nonsense, my dearest Dolly," Constance said indolently. +"I am too fatigued to argue with you." + +"Then come and have a walk, Con. Beth is working away at some problem in +her advanced trigonometry that it would make me ill even to read over. +I have come to have an added respect for Beth this year, when I see how +deliberately she picks out all the mathematical courses. It would not be +possible for me to do that. It tasks all of my mathematical resources +just to keep account of my own allowance." + +Con laughed. "You excel Beth in some other things, so that you may +consider yourself even. By the way where is Margaret? I would like her +to go with us." + +"We might look into the library. She may be there," and Dolly made +a mental note of Constance's unfailing watchfulness and care for her +room-mate. + +As they drew near to the library, it became evident that Margaret +_was_ there. The other occupants of the room were Abby Dunbar and her +immediate coterie of half a dozen friends. For the most part, Abby had +preserved a haughty coldness toward Margaret, although she indulged +in petty meannesses and flings at her, whenever she imagined that she +could do it without Constance's knowledge. She had no intention of +cutting herself off absolutely from Miss Van Gerder's acquaintance. + +Today, however, she had just chanced to learn of the house-party at +Constance's home. She was not invited, and Margaret was! She was so +full of wrath and indignation, that she forgot her usual caution. She +commenced talking to her friends in a tone which would easily reach +Margaret, and she contrived to put all the bottled up venom of the past +term into her words. To all appearances Margaret heard not a syllable. + +Just as Constance and Dolly approached the library, Abby turned, not +seeing them, addressing a remark directly to Margaret. + +Margaret turned toward her, a quiet scorn in her brown eyes. "Miss +Dunbar, if you were unaware of some things when you invited me to your +house, we are certainly quits, for I have since learned facts concerning +your family which would have prevented my ever putting a foot inside +your house had I known them before." + + + + +CHAPTER XV + + +She looked steadily at her classmate for a moment. Constance and Dolly +had paused in the doorway. Margaret did not need their assistance. +Something in Margaret's tone made Abby recoil with a sudden, +inexplicable apprehension. Yet, after all, what could that girl say +to hurt her--Abby Dunbar? + +"I believe that by this time you are all rather well posted on my +family history. Consequently you know that my father was a West Point +cadet, and but for a useless accident, caused by a drunken acquaintance, +he would, in all probability, be alive today, and be an officer in +the regular army. His health was ruined, his hopes in life destroyed, +and himself and my mother forced into menial positions, because an +acquaintance to whose home he had been invited, was too drunk to manage a +yacht, and too drunk, also, to let anyone else take the management in his +place. The boat capsized, as you know. The only person injured was my +father. I had rather today," and Margaret's voice rang out clear and +strong, "be his daughter--the daughter of an honest servant--than be +what you are--the daughter of a man whose drunken folly wrecked the life +of as good and noble a father as ever lived." + +There was a silence that made itself felt. "How dare you? It is not +true! you know it is not true!" + +"I am not in the habit of telling falsehoods or of making statements +about which I am not sure. Suppose you ask your father about the matter? +He will, perhaps, enjoy telling you of it. Until a week ago, neither +my mother nor I knew who your father was. You may be sure that, if I +had known, there would have been no inducement strong enough to take +me inside your home." + +Margaret turned to leave the library, and all her auditors became +aware then, that Constance and Dolly had been standing in the doorway. +Constance spoke a few low words to Margaret, took her arm, and, with +Dolly following, walked down the hall. + +Abby watched them a moment, and then burst into a flood of tears. In her +heart she had a terrible conviction that Margaret's story was true. She +must write and ask, not her father, of course, but her older brother. + +She remembered what a dread her father had of yachts, and how fearful +he had been lest her brother should come to use liquor as freely and as +carelessly as many college boys do. He was a charitable man--very +charitable, and what was it that she had once heard him say, when +her mother had mildly remonstrated against a piece of benevolence +that seemed actually prodigal in its lavishness? Surely he had said +something to the effect that there was one debt which he could never +hope to pay, now, in this life, and that he must atone, if possible, +in other directions. Her mother had seemed to understand, and had +said no more. + +She must write to her brother that night, and tell him the whole story; +no, not quite all. She need not say anything about her recent treatment +of Margaret, for she had an instinctive feeling that Raymond would +disapprove her conduct in emphatic terms. + +She hurried to her room with a few petulant words to her friends, and +scribbled off a lengthy and not over-coherent letter to her brother. + +She waited for the reply anxiously. It came in an unexpected form. +There was a note from her brother, to be sure, but her own letter he had +handed directly to their father, and the answer was from Mr. Dunbar. +Margaret's story was true. Hamilton was not an uncommon name by any +means, and he had never surmised, when he talked with his daughter's +friend during the past summer, that she was in any way related to the +man whose life he had practically ruined. + +Hamilton had disappeared from West Point; he had tried to trace him +in vain, for he had been told by the congressman to whom Hamilton owed +his appointment, that the lad was friendless and penniless. He had left +no stone unturned in his search, but the result had been fruitless. It +was his fault, alone, that Margaret's father had been forced into +such a humble position in life. Hamilton had possessed the brains and +power to make himself a name in the army; but all of his tastes ran in +that one direction, and when he found himself forced to leave West +Point, there was practically nothing to which he could turn. He was +glad to learn that Mr. Worthington had been generous to the Hamiltons in +his will, and he was also glad that his own daughter had acted the +part of a friend toward Margaret. It was something for which he felt +peculiarly grateful. He wanted Abby to be sure and bring both Margaret +and her mother home for the coming holidays. He was writing to them by +the same post, and Abby must add her persuasions to his. + +The letter made Abby most uncomfortable. Why had she written home +anything about Margaret? During the last days of school, she watched +anxiously to see if either Margaret or Constance would broach the +subject. Nothing was said, and Abby was compelled to wait until she +reached home to learn that her father's invitation had been briefly +declined, Margaret stating that she had already accepted an invitation +for the holiday season, and that her mother did not feel equal to going +among strangers alone. No word of comment was offered further, though +Abby knew that her father had written a long letter full of remorse and +grief. + +They discussed it the evening after Abby's return. "I am going to see +Miss Hamilton in New York next week," Ray announced decidedly. "That +letter does not sound like her one bit. You can't go, Pater, because +of that unlucky fall you got on Wednesday, but you may trust me not to +make a botch of the affair. I was charmed with Miss Hamilton last summer, +but that letter is evidently written under some sort of constraint. It is +no reply to yours." + +"I cannot blame her in the least, Ray, for feeling bitter toward me." + +"Perhaps not," Raymond said regretfully. "Still I intend to see her. +You have no objections, Father?" + +"No. The matter cannot drop here, and for the present I am unfortunately +tied to the house." + +"I would not go if I were you, Raymond," Abby interposed. "It will +give her a chance to snub us." + +"I don't understand you, Abby; I thought that you and Miss Hamilton +were warm friends. You haven't gushed about her as much this term as +formerly, but I did not know that you had quarreled." + +"We are not as good friends as we were. I am dreadfully disappointed in +her. She is not the girl I had supposed her." + +"It is rather odd that you didn't tell us something about this in your +letters. Miss Hamilton seems to be good enough for Miss Van Gerder, even +if she is not for you. I intend to see her, Abby, and that is all there +is to the matter." + +It was with no comfortable feelings that Abby saw him depart for New York +on the next Tuesday. Thursday brought her a short note from him. + + I don't wonder in the least that you objected to my coming + here. Miss Van Gerder has given me the history of the past + term. I do not feel proud of the part my sister played. + Father and I will have hard work undoing the mischief you + have wrought. R. D. + +That was all that Abby heard directly, but she knew that her father +and Ray had vainly tried to get Margaret's promise to spend the Easter +recess with them. No allusion was made to the matter when the girls were +back at school once more. Abby heard Constance's friends talking of +the gay time they had had, and she more than half envied them. Dolly +seemed brimming over with fun and spirits. She had had a thoroughly +enjoyable time at home and afterward in New York. Dick Martin had run +down for several days, and Fred had called on New Year's. Constance was +an ideal hostess. Mary had spent the time at Dolly's home, and had +joined Dolly on her return to college. Mrs. Alden had vainly tried to +accomplish some good by ridiculing Mary's feeling toward Constance Van +Gerder. She owned to Dolly that she had effected nothing. "I think that +one or two caustic remarks Fred made did more good than all my lengthy +talks." + +But, to all appearances, Fred had not accomplished much, either, for +Mary refused to go walking with the girls when Constance was to be of +the party, and she would not visit in their rooms save at times when she +knew that Constance had a recitation. She was not going to be patronized, +she declared, and Dolly vowed in disgust that she would never mention +the subject again. + +Nothing of any special interest happened through the next two terms. +The four girls were growing to be extremely popular. Beth made a capital +president, and the little quartette composed of herself, Dolly, Margaret +and Constance were coming to be generally known as the "diggers." +There were students more bright than they, perhaps, in some particular +branches, but there were no harder workers, and none who were more +reliable. + +Beth, to her extreme disappointment, had not been allowed to go home at +Easter time, for Nell was suffering from an attack of scarlet fever. She +had implored her mother to let her go anyway, but Mrs. Newby had written +a most decided and positive negative. "I am anxious and troubled about +one daughter now, dear, I cannot stand the thought that another one +is exposed to danger, too. We are strictly quarantined, and if you +came, you could not return to college for several weeks. We have a +good trained nurse, and Nell's case is not severe. Be patient, Beth, +and do not ask to come. It is such a relief to know that you are safe." + +Beth had resolved to stay at the college during the short Easter +recess--she was not good company for anyone, she declared--but Dolly +carried her off despite her protests. Mary stayed with her aunt, and +Constance took both Margaret and her mother home this time. Mr. Dunbar +had come, himself, to see Margaret, but she would make no promises. +Raymond had told his father something of Abby's treatment of her +room-mate, after she had become aware of Margaret's lack of social +position. + +Mr. Dunbar rarely exercised any parental authority; Abby had always +found him indulgent and kind. On this occasion he had been more stern +than Abby had believed it possible for him to be. He had insisted +upon an apology being made to Margaret, and Abby dared not refuse. It +had been a farce, however, for she had offered her apologies under +compulsion. At present the relations between her and the "diggers" +were coldly civil. Abby would not return to college the next year. She +was a poor student, and had cared more for the fun of college life than +for the knowledge that she might acquire. It was already arranged +that she should travel abroad with a maiden aunt of her mother's. + +Nell had recovered from her attack of scarlet fever, but Hugh and Roy +had both come down with it. They were all convalescent by Commencement +time, but the family physician was anxious for a change of air for them +all. So, it had been decided that they should again spend the hot weather +among the Thousand Isles, as all three of the children were eager to go +there. + +Mr. Alden had talked of going to the seashore, but he found both Fred and +Dolly so energetically opposed to the project, that they, too, went +back to their cottage at the Thousand Isles. Dick Martin spent a couple +of weeks with Fred, and Rob Steele was occasionally sent there on some +important errand by Mr. Newby, in whose office he was now reading law. +Mr. Newby vibrated between his office and the Islands, and Rob Steele +was sent back and forth with papers that needed signing or personal +revision. + +"Father could really get the papers by mail quite as well, I think, +Mother," Beth said one evening when the two were having a comfortable +talk. + +"I think so myself, but he probably wants to give the boy a little +breathing space. 'Tis rather hot in the city, and a few days here will +do him good." + +"Father is very kind," Beth said demurely, and her stepmother, well as +she had come to know Beth, could not tell whether she was particularly +pleased or not at Rob's coming. + +The children gained strength slowly during the summer, but when September +came at last, they were brown as nuts and as healthy as country children. + +Fred and his friends were seniors at Harvard now. Their plans for +the future were well formulated. To his father's disappointment, +Fred evinced no liking for the law. His tastes ran toward electrical +engineering, and with a sigh Mr. Alden resigned all hopes of having his +son succeed him in business. + +[Illustration: "Father could really get the papers by mail quite as +well, I think, Mother."] + +Dick Martin had determined to be a doctor; there was no special need +for him to work at all, but despite his surface indolence, there was +no actual laziness about him, and he wanted to do a man's work in +the world. He told Dolly of his plans that summer. He was rich enough not +to need any income from his profession, and while he would not turn +away rich patients, he intended to practice among the poor almost +exclusively. He would charge as little as possible; less even than the +medicines would cost; but, except in cases of really abject poverty, he +thought it best to charge a mite, so as not to pauperize his patients +and make them lose their self-respect. + +"I've thought about this matter considerably. It seems to me that the +physicians who do the most among the poor, are the ones who are not well +off themselves, and who cannot afford either the time or the means for +such a practice. The rich fellows generally have a practice among their +own class, and they do not need the fees at all. I do not like to +give money outright, except in rare cases, but I can give my services +when I become qualified; if I do not charge them the same fees that I +shall my richer patients, they will never know the difference. I mean +to provide the medicines myself, and to fill my own prescriptions. I +can do it more cheaply, and then I shall be sure that they get the +stuff. Half of the time the poor have no money with which to have +prescriptions filled. What do you think of the plan?" + +Dolly considered it a noble plan and was not backward in saying so. Beth +thought that Dick seemed much more gratified by Dolly's approbation than +by her own, which was quite as frankly expressed. But she was careful not +to say so to Dolly. + +The girls were juniors now, a fact that they found it hard to realize. +College seemed like a second home to them when they returned, and they +went over every nook and corner of it with real affection. Several girls +had dropped out of the class, as was only to be expected, but they had +gained some new members also, so that they were still the largest junior +class ever enrolled at Westover. They numbered 291, but Abby Dunbar and +three of her most intimate friends had dropped out. + +Mary kept her old room. Constance and Margaret were room-mates again, +so were Dolly and Beth. Even Mary was inveigled into the little reunion +which they held in Dolly's room on the night after they all returned. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + + +They had talked over the summer holidays quite thoroughly, when Beth +brought up the subject of class elections. + +"We want Dolly for president next year; we shall want Margaret as +editor-in-chief of the _Chronicle_ (the _Chronicle_ was a college +monthly managed entirely by the senior class, although contributions +were frequently accepted from members of the other classes), we want +Constance for class historian, too, and Mary ought to be on the executive +committee; as we shall want so much then, I think that we had better +keep in the background this year, don't you?" + +"Is that all you want, Beth?" Dolly questioned dryly. + +Beth ignored the protests that Constance and Mary both were making +regarding their fitness for the positions to which Beth wished them +elected. + +"I do not want too much, and I do not want more than I mean to get +either! If we work for the other girls this year, they can afford to help +us next. I was president last year, and of course I am still president +for a few days yet. After I go out we will all keep in the background +during this junior year, for really we are not pigs." + +"So glad you told us that; some people might think we were," murmured +Dolly. Beth gave her a vigorous pinch and went on calmly. "You girls +are just the ones for the places I named, and we want our best material +to the fore during our senior year. None of you have any special +candidates at heart this year, have you?" + +"I do not want to interfere with any of your plans for Dolly's election +next year, Beth, but I would be glad if Margery Ainsworth could be +elected to one of the minor committees this year." + +"Now, in the name of common sense, why do you care about her?" + +"I feel sorry for the girl, Beth. She is studying well now, she has no +special friends, and a little honor like that would do her an immense +amount of good." + +"Do you really like her, Con?" + +"I am not sure that her character is enough settled yet for me to +say. Of course, I do not care for her as I do for you girls here, but +I feel immensely sorry for her. Her pride is hurt continually. She will +either develop into something strong and good, or else grow unlovable +and unloving. Let us help her this wee bit, girls. Her pride is being +wounded all of the time now, and a little recognition by her classmates +may come at just the right time." + +"Oh, if you want us to do missionary work, Con, and put it on high moral +grounds--" + +"Be still. I just ask you to do a nice little thing for a girl who feels +that she has no friends. And you will do it, too." + +"Will I?" and Beth looked mutinous. Constance smiled serenely. She was +sure of Beth's help when the time should come. + +The girls all felt that the one who was made president, during this, +their junior year, should be both capable and popular. Either Constance +or Dolly could have been elected, had they so chosen, but Constance +utterly refused to consider the matter, and Beth would not hear to +Dolly's being nominated. It ended with the election of Hope Brereton, +and the "diggers" were not represented at all in the offices, with +the exception of Beth, who was made chairman of the executive committee +since she was the retiring president. Margery Ainsworth, to her own +intense surprise and gratification, was put on the entertainment +committee. + +It did not take long for the girls to settle into their former grooves +again. The old friendships were cemented, and some new ones were formed. +Mary retreated again into her shell, and Dolly felt more than once +like shaking her. In other ways Mary had improved materially. She could +not afford handsome dresses, but those that she had, were becoming in +color and soft in texture. Her hair was arranged to show its real +beauty, and while she was far from being a pretty girl, she had a fine, +intelligent face, and the promise of future beauty. She was looking +forward to the time when she could teach, and earn money to lighten the +burdens on that western farm. + +Just before Thanksgiving time, the sophomores gave a little entertainment +to the juniors. Mary came into Dolly's room one day with a wry face. +"I fear that I shall not be able to attend that entertainment which the +sophomores are giving us." + +"I would like to know why?" + +"We shall have to wear some sort of evening dress, I suppose, and the +only thing that I have is my white." + +"That would be just the thing," said Constance, who chanced to be +present. + +"It's not very elegant, but it would do, only I have not got it. I sent +it to Mrs. O'Flaherty three weeks ago to be laundered, and it hasn't +been sent back yet." + +"Write to her." + +"I have. I've sent her a dozen missives. But she does not answer." + +"Go and see her." + +"She lives too far away." + +"Then try one more note; make it pathetic and appealing and stern and +threatening all in one. That will surely bring the dress." + +"Very well, I will." + +But as she was about to commence the note, Mary decided, that after all, +she had better go herself. She dressed rapidly, and started out alone. +Either Dolly or Beth would have gone with her willingly, but she would +not ask them. Mrs. O'Flaherty lived at the farther side of Westover. +Mary found herself out of breath and impatient when she reached there. +She was about to knock when the door opened, and Constance came out, +Mary's dress in her arms. + +"I was going to take the liberty of carrying your dress to a woman whom +I know. She will do it up beautifully for you, even on this short notice. +Mrs. O'Flaherty is ill--too ill to answer your notes or to think about +your dress at all." + +"Then I had better go in and see her a moment." + +"You can do no good, I am sure." + +"Perhaps not, but still I will go in; if you can wait for me just a +moment, I will relieve you of that bundle." + +"There is really nothing to be done, Mary, and Mrs. O'Flaherty is just +falling asleep." + +Mary made no comment, but went directly in, taking care, however, to +move more gently than usual. Mary was not a quiet person ordinarily, +being the last one that an invalid would care to have in a sick room. She +wondered angrily why Constance had tried to prevent her from entering. +If she were as rich as Constance Van Gerder, she would do something +for poor Mrs. O'Flaherty. She was too poor to do anything herself, +but at least she could show a little sympathy! Full of indignation +against Constance, Mary was pushing into the tiny house, when her way +was suddenly barred. + +Looking up, she recognized Dr. Leonard, the leading physician in +Westover. "I cannot let you in, Miss Sutherland. Mrs. O'Flaherty has +some kind of a low fever. I cannot tell just what it will develop into +yet, but I could not allow you to run the risk of going in there." + +"But is there nothing I can do? The woman is so horribly poor. I'm not +rich myself, but--" + +"She will be all right now. Miss Van Gerder has gotten hold of her. +She just chanced to learn today, that Mrs. O'Flaherty was ill, or she +would have had me here before. You need not worry, Miss Sutherland. Miss +Van Gerder will do all that is necessary. She has given me money for +food, fuel and nurse. I can call upon her for as much more as I need. I +wonder if you girls up at the college know half the good that Miss Van +Gerder is doing with her wealth?" + +"No, we don't," Mary said shortly, and then, ashamed of her curtness, +she lingered to make some more inquiries. + +Constance was waiting for her by the gate. Mary took the bundle from her +arms, despite Constance's remonstrances. "You are not going to carry +my bundles, when I am along, at least. If you will tell me where that +other woman lives of whom you were speaking just now, I will try to hunt +her up." + +"I can take you there, but she lives on such a funny back street that I +cannot well give you any directions." + +"How do you know all these people? I have never been to Mrs. +O'Flaherty's house before, and I should not have gone this time, +if my dress had been sent home on time. Did you go because of what I +said today? I would really like to know." And Mary meant it. + +"Yes, I suppose I did, but there is nothing very wonderful about that. I +concluded that she must be sick or in trouble, when you failed to hear +from her, so I looked her up." + +"And you, probably, had never heard of her before, while she has been +doing my laundry work ever since I came to Westover. It strikes me that +I have been both thoughtless and selfish." + +"You have been busy," Constance said gently, "and then, in a certain +sense, I feel as if these cases were my work just as much as Greek +and History. Mother does not believe in indiscriminate giving. She +believes in personal investigation as far as possible. That takes +longer, of course, and is much more bother, but she has made me feel +that I have no right to waste my money (even if I do have more than +most girls), by a lazy way of giving. What I give carelessly to some +unworthy person who asks aid, may really belong by right to someone +else who is deserving and whom I would have found, had I investigated +personally. Do you see what I mean? I cannot help everyone, and so where +I _do_ help, I want my money to do good, not harm." + +"Your way must cost a great amount of time and trouble." + +"It often does, and that is my real, personal part of the giving. I +cannot take credit to myself for giving the money which comes to me with +no exertion on my part." + +"What shall you do when you are out of college and in society?" + +"I never expect to be in society, as I suppose you understand that +term. I have no particular fondness for receptions and germans and +balls. One tires of it all fearfully soon. I shall do some sort of +college settlement work, but I shall not undertake it until I feel +better prepared than at present." + +"Dolly always said that I never knew anything about you, and she was +right. In your place I know that I should just be getting all of the good +times that I could for myself. I'm afraid that I should not care for +much except the frivolous part of life. It is well that I am poor, and +not likely to see much gaiety, because it has an irresistible attraction +for me. You would not imagine it, would you?" + +But Constance could understand perfectly how Mary's hard, prosaic life +on the western farm had caused her to think with deep longing of the +bright, fashionable world in which she had no part or lot. Constance's +comprehension was so perfect, and her sympathy so delicate, that Mary +grew bitterly ashamed of the narrow feelings and jealousy which had +marred all her sophomore year. There should be no more of it, she told +herself sharply. Mary was not afraid to face facts when she once met them. + +She owned, now, that she had been jealous of Dolly's open admiration +for Constance. Then she had called Constance proud and unfeeling. Who had +stood Margaret Hamilton's friend? Who was helping Margery Ainsworth to +regain her self-respect? Who had gone to Mrs. O'Flaherty on the first +hint of sickness? And had not the doctor declared that the college girls +were ignorant of the greater part of her charitable deeds? + +"I believe that I have been a big snob," Mary told herself. "We can +only be measured by our inclinations and our deeds. Certainly, even in +proportion to my limited means, I have done far less good than Constance. +It never occurred to me, for instance, to look up Mrs. O'Flaherty for +her own sake, because she might be ill. I only thought of getting my +dress." + +Mary never resorted to half-way measures. She now gave as frank and open +admiration to Constance as did any of the "diggers;" Dolly and Beth +rejoiced over her conversion. + +But Beth said, "If she felt at all toward Constance as I now feel +toward Margery Ainsworth, when I see Constance wasting her sweetness +in that direction, I can sympathize with her. Mary was rather jealous of +your affection for Constance, Dolly, and while I do not think that I +myself am jealous, I surely hate to see Con lavishing time and patience +on Margery." + +"You are sure it is wasted?" + +"Yes, I am. Don't forget that I was Margery's room-mate. I flatter +myself that I know about all that there is to know concerning that young +lady." + +"Yet I think that Constance is a tolerably good judge of character. +There must be latent possibilities in Margery which you have never +discovered." + +Beth shook her head obstinately, but that very day proved the correctness +of Dolly's conclusions and made Beth resolve to be more charitable in +her judgments. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + + +That evening Dolly was wishing for some one's note-book on Greek art, +that she might make up a lecture she had lost because of a headache. +Beth noted rather anxiously that Dolly had many headaches in these days. +This was something new. Until very lately, Dolly and headaches had been +strangers. + +The junior year was conceded by everyone to be the easiest year in the +entire course, so Beth did not believe that Dolly was working too hard. +Yet she seemed tired so much of the time! She had been so anxious that +athletics at Westover should be revived, but now, when an effort was +being made in that direction, Dolly took only a languid interest in the +matter. Beth helped her in many little ways, and hid her increasing +anxiety, although she was fully determined to write to Mrs. Alden, if +Dolly did not grow stronger within a short time. + +Beth looked up as Dolly was expressing her wish for the notes on +Greek art. She, herself, was not taking that course, for she preferred +logarithms and abstruse calculations, to the marvels of the Parthenon. + +"I'll get you Margery Ainsworth's note-book, Dolly; she has full notes +on everything, the girls say." + +"Yes, her book would do splendidly, if she will loan it, but I ought to +get it myself. There is no reason in the world why you should be running +my errands in this fashion." + +"I like it, so don't talk nonsense," and Beth went off briskly. + +She gave a little tap at Margery's door, then entered, thinking that +she had heard Margery speak. When she was fairly in the room, however, +she saw Margery lying on her couch, sobbing as if her heart would break. + +"Why, Margery, what is the trouble? have you had bad news? Do tell me." + +Margery sat up hastily. Beth was not the person whom she would have +selected as her confidant. "I have just received a letter from Father. +He has been crippled in business for some time by the recent bank +failures, and now he has lost everything." + +"Oh, Margery, I am dreadfully sorry." + +"Mother is such an invalid that it will be hard on her. She has a little +money of her own, not much, but enough, Father says, to pay up every +cent he owes and to keep me here until I graduate." + +"It must be a comfort, Margery, to feel that he will not owe any person +a cent." + +"Yes, it is," with an irrepressible sob, "but, oh, I want to be at +home helping, but Father says that I can help best by going through and +graduating. He was afraid of this, and that was the reason he was so +determined that I should graduate here and be prepared to teach. Mother +may need to depend upon me entirely some day, for, of course, Father +is not young any more, and we have no near relatives; no one, at least, +upon whom we would ever call for help." + +"You must be proud of the fact that your father can depend upon you, +dear." + +"There is not much to be proud of. Just think, Beth, if I had not wasted +so much of my time, I should be graduating this year. Now I cannot be of +any help for nearly two years. That is the bitterest part of all. We +have never been rich people, but Father made a comfortable living for +us. I ought to have realized that it cost a great deal for him to send me +here, and I should have made the most of my time--but I didn't." + +"No one could have done better than you have been doing lately, +Margery." + +"But I cannot make up that lost year. That is the dreadful part of it. +Repentance doesn't take away the consequences of one's folly, does +it? We have to pay for it all. Just now, when I ought to be in a position +to help at home, I am only an added burden. Father has seen this coming +for years, but I did not know it. He lost many thousands of dollars in +a great bank failure four years ago. He has never quite recovered from +that blow. If there had not been several failures lately, though, among +people who owed him money, he would have managed to pull through." + +"But you knew nothing of all this, Margery, so do not blame yourself +too severely." + +"I knew that Father was not rich, and I ought not to have wasted my +time. I know that I must graduate now, if I would teach, but it is +dreadfully hard to think that I must use up my mother's little pittance +for it." + +"But she wants you to take it, dear, and I am sure that the best thing +you can do for your parents, now, is to be cheerful and happy. You +will probably have many long years in which to work for them both; and +really, Margery, you are working for them now just as truly as if you +were earning money for them." + +But even Beth's bright reasoning failed to console the girl, and Beth +went back to Dolly feeling quite downcast. + +"There, if I didn't forget your book! Let me tell you the news and then +I will go back and get it." + +"Never mind the book," said Dolly when Beth had told the story. "I +feel too wretched to use it tonight. I wish you would tell Constance, +though. She may know how to comfort Margery a little, and perhaps she can +devise some plan for helping her." + +But while Constance was sympathetic and kind, she could think of no way +for assisting Margery just then. "When she is ready to teach, I can +help her, I am sure. I think it likely that she may be able to get a good +position in one of the fashionable boarding-schools in New York; then +she will not be obliged to leave home." + +So Margery's friends did all that they could for her in a quiet way, +but, after all, they could not carry her burden, and Margery felt in +those days as if life were a hard thing. + +Dolly's headaches had grown no better; they had become perpetual, until +Beth, in frightened desperation, wrote to Mrs. Alden. Before her mother +reached the college, however, Dolly had been removed to the hospital, +and several of the other students were developing symptoms of the same +malarial fever that had attacked Dolly. + +"There is much of this disease in the lower portion of the city. I have +been attributing the trouble there to bad drinking water, but that hardly +seems to account for the outbreak here, because your drinking water is +wonderfully clear and pure." + +"We are often in that part of the city, though," Beth said, "and we +almost always get a drink at the fountain." + +"That accounts for it, then. How often have you been in the habit of +going to that part of Westover?" + +"Nearly every day. You know that we are required to take outdoor +exercise." + +"We must see that no more mischief is done," the Doctor said, with a +grave face. + +But although the fountain was removed and a new system of drainage +introduced, the mischief was already wrought, so far as Dolly was +concerned. All of the girls liked her, and were ready to do all in +their power to make things easier for her when she returned once more +to her classes. Her illness was not serious, but it was tedious and +wearisome. Constance copied her own literature notes into Dolly's book, +and Margery copied the Greek art. The professors did everything in +their power to smooth things, but Christmas found Dolly pale and thin, +and utterly aghast at the work she must take up; for the half-yearly +examinations to which the juniors were treated would come at the end of +January and she was far from being prepared. + +"I wonder if I hadn't better give up college altogether, Mother? It +will break my heart to do it, but, honestly, I do not see how I can ever +make up all this work. I lack the energy to attack it. It is not merely +the work that I have missed, either, during these three weeks since I +have been in the hospital. I could not do good work for several weeks +before that. To think of Beth's graduating, and my not even being in +college then," and Dolly tried to wink away the tears which would come, +for Dolly was not strong yet. + +Mrs. Alden had stayed throughout Dolly's sickness, and now she looked at +her daughter thoughtfully. "I want to do the best thing for you, +Dolly, and, as far as I am concerned, I feel like bundling you up and +taking you home for good. I wrote Fred to that effect, but he says that +you will not forgive me in after years if I do it. He has a plan of his +own, and you shall hear it. Then you can decide for yourself what to +do. You are old enough to make the decision unaided. Fred wants to +bring home Rob Steele for the holidays. There will be nearly three +weeks. He says that Rob has been overworking fearfully, and is in +danger of breaking down. Rob refuses to come, because he says that he +is already under so many obligations to Fred. He is as obstinate as a +mule, your brother declares. So Fred proposes that you take home your +note-books and whatever else you need, and let Rob coach you up in the +mornings. He can make him come under those circumstances. He wants me +to tell you that Rob is a splendid coach, and that he will fix you up so +that you can go back in January with a free mind. You can give your +mornings to study, and have plenty of time for fun beside. What shall I +tell him, Dolly, dear? I must write at once." + +"I believe, I actually believe, that I could do it in that way. Beth +wanted to help me, but we do not have the same studies, and I knew how +anxious she was to be at home, too. This plan will help Mr. Steele, and +Fred will like that." + +"Yes, Fred will like that, for he is fond of Rob, but, most of all, he +will like helping you, Dolly. Fred is proud of his sister. Can you do +this without overtasking yourself? Health must come first." + +"I know I can. It was mostly the thought of sitting down to the horrid +old books all alone; I merely didn't have the courage to face the +prospect. This will improve matters. I would rather do it than not--much +rather. I am considerable of a baby since I have been sick, Motherdie, +and I dreaded going at the work that will have to be done. At the +same time, I couldn't bear to fall behind the class. Fred is a jewel." + +And so the matter was settled, to the delight of all. Beth's face looked +brighter than it had since Dolly's illness. "I just could not stand +it to have you drop out, Dolly. Tell Fred that he is the nicest young +man I know, to think of this solution of the difficulty. You will get +through all right, I know!" + +And Dolly did get through, for she worked faithfully during the holidays. +Rob Steele was about the best person she could have had to help her, +and, as Fred surmised, he agreed to go willingly enough, when he found +that there was work for him to do. When vacation was over, and Mr. +Alden tried to pay him, however, he bluntly refused to take a cent. +He was so positive in his refusal, and so hurt that the offer was even +made, that the subject was dropped. + +Margaret and Mary had gone home with Constance. Several of the other +girls had joined the party later and Margery Ainsworth had been with +them for a couple of days. Beth and Dolly had been invited, but Dolly +could not spare the time from her studies, and Beth would not go without +her. Besides, as she told Mrs. Newby: "I like home better than any other +place, so what is the use of running off the moment I get here?" + +"We like to have you with us, dearie, but we must not be selfish. If +you are really happy here at home, we shall be glad to keep you. Nell +and the boys have been looking forward to vacation time very eagerly. You +know, though, that you would have a gay round of pleasure if you should +go to Constance." + +"But I am not going, Mother, and that is positively settled. You need +not say another word unless you want to get rid of me." + +"That is so likely!" + +So Beth and Dolly spent their holidays this time in their own homes, and +while they would have enjoyed the good times which Constance gave her +friends, they doubtless went back to their studies all the fresher for +the quiet rest they had had. + +Dick Martin had run down to see Fred on New Year's Day. He pretended +to feel much hurt and slighted when he found that Rob Steele had been +coaching Dolly all vacation. + +"Why didn't you ask me? I was in need of such a job, and I would have +done it for much less than Steele! Next time you want help, don't forget +me." + +"Have you any references from former pupils?" Dolly asked maliciously. + +"Now, I call that a very unkind speech. If you are going to doubt my +ability, I have nothing more to say, of course; still, next time you need +help I do hope that you will give me a chance. I mean it, Miss Dolly." + +"I trust that there will be no 'next time.' A few such setbacks as +this, and I should be obliged to leave college." + +"I sincerely hope there will not be, either. Now I would like a promise +from you, and I hope you will not refuse to grant it. I have been +intending to speak about it for some time." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + + +"Well?" + +"You want to see your brother graduate?" + +"Of course I do. We have not made any definite plans as yet, but I have +been counting on being at Harvard for all of commencement week, if I can +manage to get permission. Fred wants me to bring Mary and Beth, too." + +"That will be fine, but don't you see that Fred cannot do justice to +three young ladies? Let me do the honors of Harvard as far as you are +concerned. Come, now, promise!" + +Dolly shook her head. "Fred is a model brother, and I am sure that he +would be utterly disgusted if I should make any such promise as that. I +think that he will be equal to the three of us, but I shall be glad if +you will assist him in his onerous duties." + +"You are not very generous to me, but when you find Fred engrossed with +Miss Sutherland, and entirely oblivious to the fact that he has a sister, +I will forgive you, and take you under my protecting care." + +"Fred will not forget me." + +Her companion laughed mischievously. "I would like to make a wager on +that point, but I know that you never bet--so all I can do is to wait for +the future to prove me a true prophet." + +During the busy weeks that followed, Dolly thought of his words more +than once. Was it possible that Fred cared particularly for Mary? She +did not think so. She hoped not, too, for she knew Mary well enough to +be sure that that young lady wasted no thoughts upon Fred, or upon any +other young man. + +"All Mary cares for," she told herself half-angrily, "is biology, and +her own family. She has her future mapped out, and she expects to teach +forever and forever. Fred need not waste a single thought on her, and +I do not believe that he does, either." + +But when commencement time approached, and Fred was so plainly cast +down over Mary's refusal to go to Harvard, Dolly began to think that +she might be wrong in her conclusions. Fred had the matter so much at +heart that he bespoke his mother's influence, and Mary at length gave +a reluctant consent. + +"But I have nothing to wear that is new and pretty, Dolly, and you will +be ashamed of me." + +The conversation took place in Professor Newton's room, and she +interposed at this point. "You must have a new white dress, Mary, and +it shall be my present to you. We will get a very pretty one, and +with what you have already, Dolly need not be ashamed of you." + +"As if I would be, anyway," Dolly protested reproachfully. + +But Professor Newton realized that a new dress may give a girl a +certain self-possession and ease, so she was determined that her niece +should have at least one gown that would be becoming and suitable. Mary +grumbled, over the waste of money, as she termed it, but her aunt +quietly silenced her, and sent her off to Harvard, hoping that, for +once in her life, Mary would act like a young girl instead of an old +woman, and would get as much pleasure out of the week as Beth and Dolly +did. + +Probably, to the majority of visitors, the Commencement that year was +like other Commencements, but Dolly was sure that it was much more +brilliant than anything ever before held at old Harvard. + +Rob Steele had won substantial honors, and both Fred and Dick Martin had +earned their degrees. The boys saw that the girls had a share in all the +fun that was going on. + +Westover would not close for another fortnight, but examinations were +over, and the girls could enjoy themselves with an easy mind. Dolly found +herself depending upon Dick Martin rather more than she had expected to +do. + +"Am I not a better prophet than you thought?" he asked one day when +Fred and Mary had disappeared. + +"I am afraid that you are." + +"Afraid! I beg your pardon, but I do not understand you. I imagined +that you would be quite pleased to find that Fred appreciated Miss +Sutherland." + +"But she does not appreciate him!" + +"You are sure?" + +"Positive." + +Dick gave a low whistle. "I never thought of that phase of the subject, +I'll confess. Fred is such a good fellow that I supposed anyone would +like him." + +"Mary likes him, but that is all. He certainly cannot vie in interest +in her mind with biology." + +"Poor Fred." + +Dolly sprang up. "I am not going to worry about Fred. Mary and he are +good friends, and Fred is far too young yet to think of anything else." + +Martin indulged in a long laugh. "Don't let him hear you, or he will +think that you do not appreciate his years and new dignities. As a matter +of fact, more than fifty per cent. of the students here are engaged." + +"How unutterably foolish." + +"Why, pray?" + +"Because they are too young to know what they want, or what kind of +women they really like. If they studied harder, they would not be getting +into so much mischief." + +"Then you think the boys should wait until--" + +"Until they are not boys," finished Dolly abruptly. "Come and let us +hunt up the others." + +And for the remaining days of the visit, Dolly was unapproachable, though +why she acted just so, was a matter which she herself could not have +explained very satisfactorily. + +There had been considerable discussion over the summer plans. The Aldens +and Newbys went to the Thousand Isles finally, though Mr. Alden insisted +that another year they must try the seashore. + +Rob Steele had gone directly from Harvard to Philadelphia, and was +working hard in Mr. Newby's office. He had not broken down during his +senior year, but he had been very near doing so. Later in the summer he +and Fred might go camping for a fortnight in the Adirondacks, but he +refused all invitations to the Islands. "He could afford neither the +time nor the money, for such a delightful outing." + +Constance and her mother had gone to England for the summer. Margaret +Hamilton and her mother were spending the warm weather at a pleasant +farmhouse near Westover. Dolly and Beth heard from both the girls +frequently. + +Margery Ainsworth had found tutoring to do--and was perfectly happy in +consequence. She begged her father to let her try and find some work +the next year; she was sure that she could find something which she was +capable of doing, but her father would not listen. + +"My health is none too good, Margery, and when I am gone, I want to +know that you will be able to take care of your mother well. You cannot +do that now. You are not fitted for any special thing. You would be +compelled to work for a low salary, and when hard times came, you might +find yourself without any position at all. I should like to give you +a couple of years of post-graduate study, too, but that is impossible +now." + +So Margery yielded, knowing in her heart that her father's plan was +really the wisest, and promising herself to utilize every moment. Yet +she hated the thought of drawing upon their small reserve fund for her +college expenses. + +It was Professor Arnold who finally came to her assistance. College had +opened and the work of the year had fairly commenced. Professor Arnold +was none too popular with the girls, principally for the reason that +none of them understood her well. She was exacting in the classroom, and +indolent students received small mercy at her hands. Yet when people +once penetrated beneath her reserve, they found her lovable, charming +and sincere. + +She knew Margery Ainsworth's circumstances well, and since the girl's +second entrance at college had watched her keenly. Now she went to her +with a proposition that filled Margery with the keenest gratitude. "Miss +Ainsworth, could you manage to take the Latin classes in the preparatory +department? You are perfectly competent to do the work, and if you think +that you can find the time and if you care to undertake it, what you do +there will balance your expenses here." + +There was no doubt that Margery would find the time. What wouldn't +she do for the sake of paying her own way? So she undertook the work +eagerly, and wrote a joyful letter home. Mr. Ainsworth shook his head +rather dubiously over it. He feared that his daughter was undertaking +more than her strength would permit, but he did not like to forbid the +plan definitely, and so Margery went on with the work. There were many +times when she was so tired that it did seem as if she could not prepare +her own recitations for the next day, but she never quite gave way, and +she never once regretted the fact that she had undertaken the extra +duties. + +Professor Arnold kept a watchful eye on her, although Margery was not +aware of it, and she became more and more certain, as the year went +by, that Margery was just the person that Madame Deveaux would want +the next year, at her exceedingly fashionable school in New York. +One of the teachers would leave at the close of the present year, and +Madame had already asked Professor Arnold to secure someone for her. So, +although Margery did not know it, her way was being made plain and +easy. Constance, too, had been thinking of Margery, but when she found +out, accidentally, what Professor Arnold's plan was, she said nothing +more, merely resolving to make Margery's holidays as pleasant as +possible. And Margery would be happy in her work, knowing that she +was helping her home folks and was making the best atonement possible +for her former folly. + +Class elections passed off smoothly. As Beth said, she had not planned +things for two long years just to fail at the last moment. Beth's +"ticket," as Dolly insisted on calling it, was carried through +triumphantly, and without any hard feelings on the part of any one. + +So Dolly was elected president, Margaret was editor-in-chief of the +_Chronicle_, Constance was historian, and both Mary and Beth were on +the executive committee. Beth had objected decidedly when her name was +proposed, but she was so capable and energetic, that her classmates +really wanted her in that all-important place. + +The majority of the girls had their plans more or less well defined for +the next year. Margaret had already given her name to the faculty as an +applicant for a school, and it was hardly to be doubted that she would +get what she wished. Westover ranked so high among colleges, that its +graduates were in demand every place, and each year brought the faculty +scores of letters, from both public and private schools, asking that +one of Westover's graduates be sent them. + +Constance would take a couple of years of post-graduate work before +going into the College Settlement. Several of the others expected to be +back for one year at least, Hope Brereton, Hazel Browne, Ada Willing and +Florence Smith. Some of the others, too, perhaps, but neither Dolly +nor Beth felt that they could be spared longer from home. Beth knew +how much her stepmother and the children looked forward to the next +year, and so, although she did wish at times that she might be back at +Westover for some special work in mathematics, she did not entertain the +thought seriously, for the boys really needed her, and her father said +that they were lonesome at home without her. She would help to make her +home as pleasant as she could, and she would do some earnest work with +her music. Without doubt there would be enough to keep her busy! She +would find plenty of duties when she came to look for them. + +Dolly knew that her father and mother felt that they had spared her as +long as they could. Fred would still be away for several years, for +he had decided to take a thorough course in electrical engineering in +Boston. Dick Martin was studying medicine there, so that the two saw +considerable of each other. + +Mary Sutherland was hoping for a place in the preparatory department the +next year, so that she could teach, and yet do extra work in the line +of biology. + +"Why, Mary Sutherland," Dolly exclaimed, when Mary first confided this +plan to her, "I should think that you knew all there was to be known +about that subject now." + +Mary stared at her friend in honest horror. "I could never know all +about it, Dolly, if I should live as long as Methuselah and study day +and night. I don't know enough to try and teach anything about it yet, +but sometime I hope I may." + +"Fred can't hope to compete with biology, so far as Mary is +concerned," Dolly told herself emphatically, for by this time she +acknowledged that Dick Martin had been correct, and that Fred's +interest in Mary was more than a friendly one. It seemed strange +enough to Dolly that this was so, for Mary was not pretty, and she had +none of the little accomplishments which usually attract young men. +Now, if it had only been Beth! and Dolly sighed dismally. It would have +been so lovely to have Beth for a sister; of course, she liked Mary, +but she could never care as much for her, or for anyone else, as for Beth. + +While all of the girls were anxious to be at home, they dreaded the +leaving of college and the breaking up of the ties which had bound +them so closely for four years. It seemed as if time had never rushed +on as swiftly as during those last months. Class Day and Commencement +were upon them almost before they realized it. Dolly had made a very +dignified, impartial president, and the class was delighted at its +own good judgment in selecting her. + +The _Chronicle_ had flourished under Margaret's management; it had +contained more bright and witty things than ever before, and Beth heard +some of the juniors groaning over their patent inability to keep the +magazine, during the ensuing year, up to its present standard of merit. + +Beth repeated the remark with much delight to Margaret. "It has been a +great success, girls, and we owe it all to Margaret. She has put soul +and life into it. In fact, I think we can be proud of our record all +the way through college; we have the largest class ever graduated; we +certainly have some of the brightest students that were ever within +these walls, we have the most unique entertainments of any class, and +the _Chronicle_ has never been as good as it is this year." + +"How we apples do swim!" said Dolly mockingly. + +"You are as proud of this class as I am, and you know it, Dolly Alden! +Professor Newton told me the other day that the faculty was perfectly +satisfied with us. We have some actually brilliant students here. Look +at Amy Norton, for instance! She is a phenomenon. Our choir is fine, and +altogether," Beth wound up emphatically, "we are just about as nice a +class as you can find any place." + +"We are nice," Dolly conceded, "but, Beth, let me tell you that our +pride is going to have a fearful fall in one particular." + +"I don't understand you." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + + +"I am talking about the athletic contests that come off the first of +Commencement week. We simply shan't be in it. Vassar, Wellesley, Smith, +and all the others, seem to be in great shape, but we shall disgrace +ourselves." + +"But, Dolly dear, we must do tolerably well, or we should never be in +the contests at all. There were scores of colleges that tried for a place +and we were one of the six successful ones, so we must certainly be able +to do something." + +"You would not be feeling so confident if you took more interest in +athletics. We should never have won a place at all except for Ruth +Armstrong. She was superb at everything; running, jumping, +throwing--everything. It was she, and she alone, who won us our place +on the list. She was simply phenomenal, but, as you know, she isn't here +this year, and there is no one at all on whom we can count. Vassar +is sure now of one event, and the Cornell girls will get another, that +is positive. I had hoped that we could do something in the running +contests, but Rose Wilson has twisted her ankle, so the only thing in +which we stood the least show is out of the question." + +"Well, Dolly dear, with six colleges represented, and only three events +to come off, everyone could not win." + +"Of course not, and now Westover will not be one of the lucky three. +We shall not even win second place in anything! In short, we are in such +bad shape that I wish we had never tried to revive athletics here at +Westover. The other colleges have been working in this direction for +years, and it was absurd for us to compete with them." + +"Don't worry; I think that we have won honor enough simply by being +admitted to the competition. Lots of colleges are envious of us." + +"They will not be very long," said Dolly soberly. + +There was really nothing to be said that could comfort Dolly. All that +she asserted was only too true. None of the quartette were on the +athletic teams, but all of the students had been discussing the coming +contests with grave faces. + +"If we had not made the absurd rule that only Seniors could be in these +contests, we might do something even yet. There is rather good material +among the freshmen and sophomores." + +"But the other colleges only admit the seniors, so we could not be +allowed to pick from all the classes. If only Ruth Armstrong were here!" + +But Ruth, just then, was climbing the Alps, with no thought of her former +classmates who stood in such dire need of her. + +"Tell me once more on what contests you have finally decided." Of +course, it was Mary who asked the question; any other girl would have +known. + +"The idea of your not knowing!" + +"Well, you have changed your minds so often, and I have been so busy +with my new experiments, that I do not think it wonderful that I am not +posted. Tell me, Dolly." + +"The faculties limited us to three contests. I felt indignant at the +time, for I wanted a dozen, at least, but now I am ready to bow to their +superior wisdom. The more contests there are, the more defeats there +would be for us." + +"But how have you finally settled it?" + +"We have settled and unsettled matters a dozen times, but our last +decision is really final; there will be running and jumping, and, last +of all, a boat race." + +"And we do not stand a show?" + +"Not a ghost of a show for even second place," and Dolly sighed. Being +president, she felt as if the honor or disgrace of the college rested +on her. + +Mary broke the silence at last. "I have not gone in for athletics since +I have been here, because I don't care for such things, but I can do +considerable in the running and jumping line. I can't row at all, and I +would be no good there, but if you want me to try and help you out in +the other things, I will." + +"Why, Mary Sutherland, and you never said a word before! But you must +be awfully out of practice. Do you actually think that you can save us +from total disgrace?" + +"I don't know what the girls at the other colleges can do, so I am +hardly prepared to say how much I can aid you, dear. I am not so +fearfully out of practice, either. Every summer I have been kept in +trim by my brothers, and really I can beat them both at running and +jumping, when I am in good condition." + +"But that was nearly a year ago, Mary." + +"I know, but I have been to the gymnasium every night after my +experiments. I have done all sorts of running and jumping there just +to tire myself out so that I could sleep. No one has ever seen me at +that time, and I never thought of your really needing my services. I +expect that I have been horribly selfish." + +"You are just angelic now, for I know that you were planning to do a lot +of extra work with Professor Reimer during these last days of college, +and you would rather be with him than helping us out of a hole." + +That was so very true that Mary blushed. She had felt reluctant to even +mention her prowess, but a second thought had made her ashamed of her +hesitancy. What had not Dolly and these other friends of hers done to +make college life pleasant for her during the past four years? Mary +herself could not get up much enthusiasm with regard to the athletics. +If there were a scientific contest now! + +"Come up to the gymnasium, girls, and I will get into my suit and +show you what I can do. As I said, I practice almost every evening, +for after the laboratory work I am so wide awake that I could never +go to sleep at all. I found that out long ago. I would just lie in +bed and think out different experiments. Of course, the next day my head +felt like lead, and I was as stupid as an owl. So I resorted to the +gymnasium. There is no trouble any more about my sleeping, for I tire +myself out physically before I stop. Now, just wait a moment. I hope you +will not be disappointed after all my boasting. I really do not know +whether I am better than the rest of the girls you have picked out or +not. I suppose I must be pretty good at running and jumping, because +the boys think so, and they are usually very chary of their praise +where sisters are concerned." + +But after the first five minutes there was no doubt in anyone's mind as +to Mary's superiority over all the other girls. She was really fine. +Dolly's drooping spirits rose with a bound. + +"I shall love you forever for saving the day for us, Mary. You are not +out of practice a bit, but still you will let Mr. Thornbury have all +your extra leisure until the games come off, won't you? I hate to ask +it," Dolly went on hurriedly, for she knew that this would involve the +giving up of all the extra laboratory work which Mary was doing. "But +you will do it for the sake of the college, will you not?" + +"Oh, yes. If I am going to go into this thing at all, I want to do my +best. I didn't see the trial competitions last year, but you and Beth +did. How do I compare with the girls from the other colleges?" + +"You do better than they did then, but I hear that they have been +practicing hard ever since." + +"I will do my very best, Dolly; perhaps we can win a 'second' after +all. Mr. Thornbury shall give me all the drilling and training that he +wishes to. My examinations are all over, and I really do not have to do +a single thing more. I was doing the extra work with Professor Reimer +just because it was such a wonderfully good chance." + +And Mary, true to her word, gave up all her time to gymnasium work. All +of their friends came flocking to Westover for Commencement week. In +fact, the closing ceremonies occupied nearly ten days. + +All of the "diggers" had won their degrees, and also, rather to +their astonishment, a place on the "honor" roll. Beth, as everyone +expected, had taken the mathematical prize, Mary had been awarded the +special prize given occasionally for exceptionally fine work along +scientific lines, Margaret had won a year's study abroad for the +highest average throughout the entire course. Margery received an +honorable mention for her work, but she was not eligible for any +prize, as those were open only to students who went straight through +the four years' course, and Margery had not done that. There was an +archaeological prize that went to Helen Stetson, and several other +prizes or scholarships in post-graduate work that went to girls who had +excelled in some special line. + +The friends of the "diggers" were more than satisfied with the work +that had been done by them. It seemed to Dolly as if everyone had come +to Westover that she had ever known. All of Beth's relatives and +hers, even to the third and fourth cousins. Constance's people were +there, of course, and they did not fail to exert themselves to make Mrs. +Hamilton comfortable and at ease. Her delight and pride in Margaret +were something beautiful to see. The prize which she had so unexpectedly +won, changed Margaret's plans somewhat. She would go to Girton for a +year's study; her mother was also to go; there was money enough for +that, for neither of them had been extravagant during these four years +just past. A fine position was already promised Margaret on her return. + +Mary had secured the coveted place in the preparatory school at Westover, +and had arranged to do special work at the college next year. She had +been very sober when the other girls had been talking about Commencement +and their friends who were coming. It seemed hard to Mary that her +father and mother could not be there. But she knew that such an expense +was simply out of the question, and she tried to be content. + +Then a most wonderful thing happened, just a fortnight before +Commencement. Some one (Mary suspected Constance, though she never knew +surely) had sent Mr. and Mrs. Sutherland two railroad tickets to +Westover and return; there were Pullman seats enclosed, too, for the day +on which they should depart, and so, after all, Mary's father and mother +were present. And if their hands were toilworn and their clothes very +old-fashioned, Mary did not care. After all, in the great throng no +one's garments were noticed very particularly. It was only the +graduating class that was especially scrutinized, and it was hard to +tell whether the girls looked more enchanting in their white, filmy +dresses or in their caps and gowns. + +Class Day, with all its gayety, passed off brilliantly. Constance made +a fine historian; Hazel Browne read the class poem, and it was very +generally conceded, even among the old graduates, to be one of the best +things that had ever been read in the old Westover Hall. It was pungent +and witty, without being at all bitter or malicious. + +Dolly presided on all the numerous occasions necessitated by Commencement +week, with a pretty dignity and grace that more than one person found +very fascinating. + +The weather was perfect, sunshiny and bright, but not overpoweringly hot, +and the exercises went off with a smoothness that made Dolly wild with +satisfaction and delight. + +"You are getting altogether too proud, sister mine," asserted Fred. +"If Westover should actually happen to win something in tomorrow's +contest, there will be no living with you." + +"I am proud of the girls and of the college, and of everything connected +with it." + +"To tell the truth, I am rather proud of you! I don't wish to make you +conceited and all puffed up with vanity, but really, Dolly, you make a +first-class president. We are just brimming over with pride. Can't you +see how satisfied Father and Mother are looking? You owe me something +for getting Rob to coach you last year. I verily believe that you were +just about ready to give up then." + +"I was, for a fact, and I shall be grateful to you all my life, Fred, +for what you planned. Just think of missing this," and Dolly drew a deep +breath. + +"It would have been too bad, that's sure," affirmed Dick Martin, who +chanced to be present. "I never saw a more ideal Commencement. Perfect +weather, lovely girls and original programs. How did you ever manage +it all so smoothly, Miss Dolly? I see that your special friends captured +the choicest prizes and scholarships. Was it all a prearranged plan? +Things went your way--you could hardly ask anything more than you and +your friends got." + +"Yes, I could," and Dolly sobered down. "The athletic contests come +tomorrow, the very last thing on our program. We could not get them in +before, and perhaps it is just as well, for I do not expect that we +shall win any glory." + +"I thought Fred said that Miss Sutherland was to save the day for you?" + +"She is our only hope; the rest of the girls do not amount to anything. +But Vassar and Smith, to say nothing of Cornell and Wellesley and Mount +Holyoke, have been boasting so securely since they arrived that our +hopes are now below zero." + +"You are anxious to win?" + +"Very. Westover has been out of all athletic contests for so long that +we want to get our place again, and if our own particular class could +achieve that, we should feel that we had nothing more to ask." + +"I should say you wouldn't have, for your class is leaving a great +record here, that is sure. I have faith in your friend. I believe that +she will help you out, despite all the boasting of the others." + +"I hope you are right. I do hope it. I shall be so glad, so glad--" + +"So glad, that you will grant all sorts of favors?" her companion +asked, as they sauntered slowly over the lawn. Fred had disappeared +in search of Mary. + +"Yes, quite glad enough to do anything for anyone," asserted Dolly +recklessly. A moment later she caught her breath, and wished she had +not said just that. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + + +"I am going to remind you of that tomorrow evening," Dick said quietly. +"I am confident now that Miss Sutherland will come off victorious." + +Dolly was glad that a bevy of girls surrounded them just then, demanding +all the latest information with regard to the contests on tomorrow. She +slipped away from her companion soon, and managed to hold him at a +distance until the next afternoon, when the great events came off. The +best places for seeing had been reserved for the seniors and their +friends, so when Dolly took her place by her mother, it was not at +all strange that Dick Martin should be seated on the other side of her. + +On the opposite benches were the friends of the other competitors, and +college flags and college cries were much in evidence. Cornell and +Vassar seemed particularly confident, and as Dolly heard their shouts +and noticed their jubilant flags, she grew despondent. + +Beth was sitting just back of her. "Don't give up before we fairly +commence, Dolly. We have just as much right to shout as they have. Mary +did magnificently this morning." + +"And don't forget that you are to take a walk with me this evening, +and I'll tell you then what I want you to do for me." That was Dick +Martin. + +"Oh, don't you know that tonight we give a supper to the visitors from +the other colleges? I can't go with you possibly." + +"I mean to have my walk either before or after; you shall not snub me +in that fashion." + +But Dolly pretended not to hear. Her eyes were on the smooth stretch of +road in front of her. They were jumping, yes--Mary was not as good at +that as she was at running. + +Dolly slipped her hand into her mother's. + +"It is a very good thing that such events as this come only once in a +lifetime. I am too excitable to stand the strain equably like Constance." + +"Once in a lifetime is quite enough, I'll agree," said Mrs. Alden, +looking rather anxiously at Dolly's flushed cheeks. "I shall be glad to +have you safely at home, where I can keep you quiet and have you rest." + +"Yes, Mother," said Dolly, not really hearing a word of what Mrs. +Alden was saying. "Oh, look! Wasn't that splendid of Mary? Do cheer +her, Mr. Martin. Louder! Louder yet! Mary has gone farther than any of +them, but I am afraid of Miss Smith of Vassar. That is she now! Oh!" A +despairing note in her tone as Miss Smith made a better record than +Mary had done. "How dreadful! But Mary has won us a second at least, +and that is really more than I dared hope." + +"Cheer up, then. There are two more chances for you." + +"We do not stand the slightest chance in the boat race, and I am afraid +that Mary cannot do any better in the running. Still I am grateful for +what she has won for us. We shall not be disgraced, at least." + +"Now watch!" as the runners lined up in position. "I have a +presentiment that you will feel jubilant when this race is over." + +And it became evident, almost from the first second, that Westover would +win. Mary's pride was fully roused. She knew how anxious her class was +to come off victorious in one of the contests at least, and she did her +very best, but her best was needed, for Cornell was very close behind her. + +The cheering and yelling were almost deafening. Really, Mr. Alden said, +it was quite as bad as one of the Harvard football games. He didn't see +to what the girls' colleges were coming, if this sort of thing continued. + +But Dolly and Beth, to whom his words were addressed, heard not a +syllable of his raillery. They were too intent on waving their flags +and cheering Mary. Westover had covered herself with glory, and Dolly +could go home tomorrow with not a wish ungratified. + +Fred hurried up to his people. "Mary saved the day for you, didn't she? +She is having a regular ovation down by the Oaks. Shall I take you to +her, Dolly?" + +"Yes, yes, I am wild to see her and thank her. The idea of Mary's being +the one to come to the rescue so nobly. I always knew she was a dear! You +need not save my seat for me, Mother, I would rather not see the boat +race at all, we stand no show there." + +And Dolly whisked down from her high seat of honor as president of the +class, and ran in search of Mary, whose father and mother could not +comprehend the importance of all the athletic contests, but who were +nevertheless filled with very pardonable pride at their daughter's +triumph. + +When Dolly reached the Oaks, Mary had disappeared, and the most diligent +search in grounds and rooms failed to reveal her. + +Dolly wandered back disconsolately just in time to hear the crowd +cheering for Wellesley, who had won the boat race, with Vassar a close +second. + +"They can have their victory, and welcome," Dolly said contentedly to +Dick Martin, who joined her just then. "We have all we want. I must go +now and see if the tables are all in readiness for tonight." + +"I just heard Miss Newby declare that everything had been done, so I +hope you will walk down to the end of the grounds with me. Can't you +do that, Dolly? I have been trying to get a moment with you for a long +time. I must go back to Boston at eight o'clock, and this is my last +opportunity to talk with you." + +[Illustration: "Aren't you going to say anything to me, Dolly?"] + +"Well," with an unaccountable hesitation in her manner. "I suppose +that a class president ought not to run away like this, but if you will +not take me far--" + +"I want to take you all along life's journey, Dolly. Is that too much +to ask? You know what I hope to do, what my plans are and how I am +longing to do a little good in the world. Will you help me? I think I +have cared for you ever since the first time we met. Aren't you going +to say anything to me, Dolly?" + +Dolly's brain was in a whirl. How could she tell? Yet, did she want +him to go off and never come back? No, no, she knew she could hardly +endure that. And Dick, not knowing what her silence meant, and fearing +that a bitter disappointment was in store for him, leaned down to look +in her face. Dolly smiled up at him tremulously, and Dick had the answer +he wished, although no words were spoken. + + * * * * * + +Late that night Dolly sought out her mother for a word. "I could not go +to sleep tonight without telling you, Mother, but--" + +"I understand, Dolly, Dick has spoken, hasn't he? I knew that he would, +for he wished to do so a year ago, but I think he feared a refusal then. +We have known his feeling for you for a long time, Dolly dearest, and +I know that he will make your life very happy. But he must let you stay +with us for a long time yet." + +"Of course," said Dolly hastily. "Of course, why, I would never, +never go off from you now. Dick will not be through with his medical +studies for two or three years yet. You will have me at home a long +time, Motherdie." + +"We can't have you too long, Dolly; we would like to keep you always, +but that is impossible, evidently." + +And then Dolly turned consoler, and there was a long, long talk, despite +the fact that it was in the wee small hours, and that they were all to +take a railroad journey that day. + +Dolly got up at last reluctantly enough, but she stopped even then when +she reached the door. + +"Mother, did you notice Fred late last evening? What was the matter with +him? He looked so grave and sober." + +"He has not told me anything at all, Dolly, but I imagine that he has +spoken to Mary." + +"Oh, Mother, couldn't he see for himself that Mary cares nothing for +him? The poor boy!" + +"I am sorry for him, dear; I feared that he would speak too soon, but +it was best to say nothing. Fred will not give up easily, and in time +Mary may come to appreciate him. Now she does not give a thought to +anything beyond her plans and her work." + +"I do not believe that she will ever change," and Dolly went to her +room with her own new joy tinged with sadness as she thought of Fred's +disappointment. + + * * * * * + +It is more than two years later. The class of '09 had been holding a +reunion in New York. A number of the members lived in that city, and +others were within easy access of it. So Constance had proposed that +there should be semi-annual reunions at her home for as many as could +come. Several of these reunions had been held now, and the girls enjoyed +them, perhaps even more than the yearly gatherings at Westover during +Commencement week, when they did not really have time to compare notes +and gossip, as they liked to do, over all the little happenings of the +past year. + +This time there seemed even more news than usual to be talked over +and discussed. Sarah Weston would sail the next week for India as a +missionary, Grace Egle was studying medicine, Ellen Terence and Kate +Seaton were doing work on New York newspapers, and were doing it well, +too. Margaret had run off for a day from the well-known college in which +she had a good position; Mary was there, too, but after the holidays +she would go west, for she had accepted the chair of Biology in a new +woman's college just started there. One of the girls was singing in a +fashionable church, though, when she used that adjective, Beth protested +vigorously. + +"I think that it is horrible to speak of a fashionable church. I know +that it is often done, but a church that merits such an adjective cannot +be a church in the true sense of the term." + +There had been some lively talk on the subject after Beth's remark, +and the girls had enjoyed it, for it seemed like the old days at +Westover, when they were constantly picking each other up and holding +conversational tilts. + +Another of the class was doing lyceum work as a public reader. Still +another had opened a kindergarten, and many more, like Beth and Dolly, +were filling quietly and efficiently the little niches at home which +sadly needed them. + +For the most part, college life had broadened all of the girls, so that +none of them were entirely content to lead a perfectly useless life of +fashion and gayety. Constance herself had gone into college settlement +work, just as she had planned to do long before. + +After the rest of their classmates had gone, Mary and the "diggers" +(for the old name seemed still to cling to them) stayed for a cosy chat +with Constance. Beth and Dolly, indeed, would stay for a couple of days +longer. + +They were sipping tea, which Constance had insisted on making, when her +sharp eyes caught the gleam of a new ring on Margaret's finger. "Who +gave you that, Meg? Are you keeping secrets from your crowd? I wouldn't +have believed it of you." + +Margaret flushed richly. "I truly meant to tell you girls before I left +tonight, but it was not easy to tell someway. It is absurd to think of +it, but really, I am going, if nothing happens, to be Abby Dunbar's +sister some day." + +"Margaret! how lovely! no, not that you will be her sister, but that +you will be Raymond Dunbar's wife, for he is as broad and generous and +fine as she is petty and narrow." + +"I congratulate you with all my heart, Meg, and I am so glad that Abby +married that Englishman and will live abroad. Raymond is just the one man +in all the world that you should marry." + +"Thank you a thousand times, girls," Margaret said heartily when she +had been duly kissed and hugged. "But you know really, that he is much +better and nobler than I. It is so, and you need not try to contradict +me. I thought at first that he was trying in this way to atone for his +father's youthful faults, but--" + +"But you do not think so any more," Dolly said shrewdly, looking at +her friend's changing face. + +"No, I do not," Margaret owned softly. + +Constance looked around on the other faces. "Now I wonder if any more +of you are hiding weighty secrets. If so, confess!" + +"How about our hostess, herself?" retorted Beth quickly. + +Constance smiled serenely. "I have absolutely nothing to confess. I +feel like a grandmother, with all this talk of engagements and marriage +going on around me. I am outside of it all. Margery Ainsworth and I +will probably be the old, staid spinsters of the class; we have found +work enough to fill all our lives. By the way, Dolly, how long is Mr. +Martin going to consent to wait for you? You have been engaged a couple +of years now." + +"More than that, and his patience seems about exhausted," Dolly +acknowledged with a frank blush. "So I presume that you will receive +our cards immediately after Christmas." + +"It is your turn, now, Mary. What have you to say for yourself?" +Constance continued mercilessly. + +"Absolutely nothing beyond what you already know. I have the position +which I have coveted all my life, so, of course, I am quite satisfied." +Despite Mary's words, however, there was a new tone in her voice, +which made Dolly resolve to catechise her later. Something had happened, +but Dolly could not make out what. + +"Your turn now, Elizabeth," commanded Constance. + +Dolly laughed mischievously. She alone knew that Beth really had some +news to tell. "Shall I spare your blushes and help you out, dear? She +has only been engaged two days now, so that she cannot carry her new +honors as sedately as--" + +"As some people who have worn an engagement ring for two years and a +half," Beth interposed. "I'll tell my own story, Dolly Alden. Father +has offered to take Mr. Steele into partnership this summer, and--" + +"And the daughter thought it such a good scheme that she is going to +do likewise," Dolly interjected, and then after the first burst of +astonishment was over, the girls had a long talk over their plans and +hopes. + +It was a couple of hours later before Dolly found the quiet opportunity +that she wanted for speaking to Mary. + +"Aren't you ever going to be good to Fred, Mary? He is one of the very +best boys in the world." + +"I know it, and it doesn't seem fair to him that he should be wasting +his time and thoughts on me." + +Dolly looked at her friend keenly. "You and Fred have some new +understanding. Aren't you going to tell me what it is?" + +Mary looked troubled. "It is not an understanding at all, and I cannot +have you think that, or Fred either. I have promised to write to him, +and he says he will not take my final answer for a couple of years. It +does not seem fair to him--" + +Dolly interrupted her with a kiss. "Don't worry your tender conscience. +Just leave it all to time, and to Fred. If he is contented, you can +afford to be." + +And to herself Dolly added: "Fred has the wisdom of the serpent; Mary +cares more for him than she realizes, and he will win her in the end." + + + + +SELECTIONS FROM LIST OF + +The C. M. Clark Publishing Co. + +WINDING WATERS. By Frances Parker. + Illustrated. Cloth. Price, $1.50. + +Author of the two big Western successes: "Hope Hathaway" and "Marjie +of the Lower Ranch." This is the first work from the pen of Miss Parker +in four years. You will find in her new strong and compelling story of +the Great West many startling disclosures of our land that will rouse +criticism and interest. + +TRACT NUMBER 3377. By George H. Higgins and Margaret Higgins Haffey. + Spendidly Illustrated. Cloth. 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