, and
I'll do as you say. Would you mind if I were to come and see you some
time, and won't you take luncheon with me some day at Vinton's?"

Patience smilingly acquiesced to both eager requests, and little Miss
Rawle descended the steps of Wayne Hall and set off for Livingston Hall,
where she lived, looking anything but sorrowful.

"I'll try her way," she planned as she sped along through the soft fall
darkness. "It is worth trying. But I wonder what made her say that
Kathleen stood in need of a friend."

After Miss Rawle had departed, armed and equipped with her newly-born
independence, Patience smiled whimsically to herself as she brushed her
long, fair hair, rebraided it and wound it about her head. It was a
coiffure she had recently adopted at Elfreda's suggestion, and it went
far toward softening the severe outline of her face. "I didn't come to
college to play mentor to any one," she said, half aloud, "nor to give
advice, for that matter. Perhaps I should not have told Miss Rawle to
stay away from Kathleen. It isn't really any of my business. Wouldn't
she be angry if she knew? Shall I tell her? No, I don't believe I will.
If, during a season of adoration, Miss Rawle is indiscreet enough to
tell her, then that is a different matter. But I don't believe she
will."

Patience had just finished doing her hair when the object of her
monologue appeared in the door and after a quick survey of the room
stepped inside.

"Was Miss Rawle here?" she asked abruptly.

"Yes," answered Patience, noncommittally.

"I'm glad I wasn't. She is such a frightful bore. What did she say?"

"She asked me to tell you she was here and was very sorry she missed
you."

"I am very glad I missed her," declared Kathleen, with a shrug. "Deliver
me from 'crushes' of her sort, at least. There are several girls in the
freshman class who look rather interesting, but they are evidently not
anxious to know me," she added, her face darkening.

"Whose fault is it?" asked Patience pointedly.

"Not mine," retorted Kathleen with asperity. Then, turning upon
Patience, she said in a voice shaking with sudden anger: "What do you
mean by asking me such a question? I did not realize the insult it
contained or I wouldn't have answered you."

"I did not intend to be insulting," said Patience, "but candidly I think
you are to blame for whatever attitude the girls here maintain toward
you. Then, again, you do not value your friends. For instance, there