her. She was very
glad then that she had let her wear that dress; it was certainly
distinguished, and the girl carried it off, to her mother's amusement,
with the air of a superb lady of the period from which it dated. She
thought what a simple child Alice really was, all the time those other
children, the Seniors, were stealing their glances of bold or timid
worship at her, and doubtless thinking her a brilliant woman of the
world. But there could be no mistake that she was a success.

Part of her triumph was of course due to Mrs. Saintsbury; whose
chaperonage; Mrs. Pasmer could see, was everywhere of effect. But it
was also largely due to the vigilant politeness of young Mavering, who
seemed bent on making her have good time, and who let no chance slip
him. Mrs. Pasmer felt his kindness truly; and she did not feel it the
less because she knew that there was but one thing that could, at his
frankly selfish age, make a young fellow wish to make a girl have a
good time; except for that reason he must be bending the whole soul of
egotistic youth to making some other girl have a good time. But all the
same, it gave her pause when some one to whom she was introduced spoke
to her of her friends the Maverings, as if they were friends of the
oldest standing instead of acquaintances of very recent accident. She
did not think of disclaiming the intimacy, but "Really I shall die of
these Maverings," she said to herself, "unless I find out something
about them pretty soon."

"I'm not going to take you to the Omicron spread, Mrs. Pasmer," said
young Mavering, coming up to her with such an effect of sympathetic
devotion that she had to ask herself, "Are they my friends, the
Maverings?" "The Saintsburys have been there already, and it is a little
too common." The tone of superiority gave Mrs. Pasmer courage. "They're
good fellows; and all that, but I want you to see the best. I suppose
it will get back to giving the spreads all in the fellows' rooms again.
It's a good deal pleasanter, don't you think?"

"Oh yes, indeed," assented Mrs. Pasmer, though she had really been
thinking the private spreads were not nearly so amusing as the large
spread she had seen at the Gymnasium. She had also wondered where all
Mr. Mavering's relations and friends were, and the people who had social
claims on him, that he could be giving up his Class Day in this reckless
fashion to strangers. Alice would account for a good deal, but she would
not accoun