"You see," explained Rose-Mary Markin, a very dear girl from somewhere
in Connecticut, "we count all this side of Boston in the Knickerbocker
set, 'Knicks,' we call them. The others are the Pilgrims; and isn't it
dreadful to nickname them the 'Pills?'"

Tavia thought that "the best ever," and declared she would join the
Knicks (spelled "Nicks" in the school paper) no matter what the
initiation would cost her.

"Viola is secretary of the Nicks," volunteered Amy Brook, a girl who
wore her hair parted exactly in the middle and looked classical. "We
have lots of sport; plays and meetings. You will join, surely,
Dorothy, won't you?"

"But I will not be secretary this year," interrupted Viola, without
allowing Dorothy to answer Amy. "It's too much trouble."

"But you can't resign until the first regular meeting in November,"
said Amy, surprised that Viola should wish to give up the office.

"I intend to resign the very first thing," asserted Viola. "The Nicks
can get along with a pro-tem until the regular meeting."

Mrs. Green now fixed her strange gaze upon her daughter, and Dorothy,
who was plainly more interested in the delicate little woman than in
the schoolgirls' chatter, noticed a shadow come into the pale face.
Evidently Mrs. Green could stand no arguments, no confusion, and, when
the girls continued to discuss the pros and cons of a secretary
pro-tem, Dorothy suggested that they change the subject as it might be
distressing to Mrs. Green. Quick as a flash Viola was all attention to
her mother, inquiring about her head, offering to bring fresh ice
water, and showing unusual anxiety, so it seemed to Dorothy's keen
observation, when the lady was not really ill.

Then, at the first opportunity Viola called the girls down to the end
compartment, and told them that her mother had only just recovered from
a serious illness.

"She had a dreadful attack this time," said Viola, "and she should
never have come on this journey."

"Then why did she?" asked Tavia, in her blunt way.

"Well, she seemed so set upon it," declared Viola, "that the doctors
thought it more dangerous to cross her about it than to allow her to
come. Our doctor is on the train, but mother does not know it. I do
wish she could get strong!"

The tears that came to the girl's eyes seemed very pitiable--every one
of the party felt like crying with Viola.

Dorothy attempted to put her arms about the sad girl, but Viola was on
her feet