a
part. She leaned forward as though to warm her hands at the grate. In
reality, she was taking time to consider well her words before she spoke.

"I really wished to call on you," she said, "but hesitated lest I intrude.
Your roommate, Miss Wilson, would not be at all pleased to have me. That
is why I did not call."

"But the rooms are half mine! She would have nothing at all to do with my
callers. Surely that was a queer sort of reason to keep away."

"That was the first reason. Then there was another. How should I know that
you would receive me? One girl influences another so. I knew Miss Wilson
did not wish me to come. How was I to know that she had not filled your
mind so with school gossip that you, too, would be glad to have me keep at
a distance?"

The girl's manner of speaking was peculiar. It was difficult to understand
whether she were hiding her arrogant pride by an assumption of humility or
whether she truly felt that her calls would not be looked upon with favor.
Her manner was not easy at any time. It was marked by a self-consciousness
that gave her companions the impression that the little courtesies from
well-bred people were something new to her.

Elizabeth flared up at her words. "Do you think I'm a handful of putty,"
she asked, "to be moulded any way my companions choose? I form my own
opinions. So long as you treat me fairly, I would do the same by you. But
really, you do Mary an injustice. She never told me anything against you.
Of course, I knew there was some feeling that was not altogether friendly
between you. But I learned that from _your_ manner as much as I did from
hers."

Miss O'Day made no response. Elizabeth waited a few moments for her to
answer. Being disappointed in this, she turned the conversation to the
object of her errand.

"Mother sent me a box. The girls will be in for a spread this evening and
I want you to come. It will be at the usual hour--any time after lights
are out and you can get rid of Smiles."

Elizabeth arose, moving toward the door. "I'll have less than ten minutes
to dress for dinner. Do you think I can do it in that time? I haven't been
late since I came to Exeter, so I shall not hurry now. One late mark will
keep me in harmony with the rest of the girls." Her hand was upon the
knob.

"Wait, Miss Hobart!" Miss O'Day had arisen. There was a sound of rustling
petticoats as she moved. She twisted her hands nervously as though
dreading to speak. "I should