might hear
her read it! She's such a dainty little creature, but she looked tall when
she was rolling this out."

"What is it for? You've had all your oratory work long ago."

"This is especially for commencement. You see, we don't have the old-style
exercises. The Dean from some other school or some eminent divine comes to
deliver a lecture. There's music wherever there's a loophole to slip it
in. Then the class in cap and gown parade across the stage and receive
their diplomas from Dr. Morgan. Oh, it's all very fine and elegant and all
that. But there's no fun in it. The element of humor is lacking, and after
an hour of it, the simple dignity of it palls on one. And as for the
dresses! Most of the girls wear simple white shirtwaist suits under their
gowns. There are receptions, to be sure; but the Middlers and Freshmen
attend them, and dress as much as the Seniors do. The only opportunity a
Senior has to trail a long gown after her is on Class-day. Then we have
all the old orthodox orations and music with a two-act farce thrown in,
and we may wear what we please. And let me announce right here, Elizabeth
Hobart, your roommate will appear in the handsomest white evening dress
she can get--train, short sleeves, high-heeled shoes, and hair piled on
top of my head."

Elizabeth looked at the short locks, barely touching the speaker's
shoulders. She laughed.

"You think it can't be done!" exclaimed Mary, with the characteristic toss
of her head. "But it can. I'm going to have a hairdresser. Yes, indeed.
When I assume the role, I mean to carry it out. Wait until you see Mrs.
Jones. She can take two hairs and twist them about until they look like
nothing else so much as Paderewski. She has fine switches, too." This was
added after a moment's thought, and confidentially, as though it was not
information to be passed around. Then with a sigh of satisfaction, "One
can work wonders with switches."

"You're not to mention to anyone what I am to do for Class-day. Those
matters are supposed to be secrets. Of course, you could not help knowing,
for I must practice here."

In the days following, it was made plain that Elizabeth could not have
been kept from the knowledge of what Mary was doing. From morning until
evening, at all times, opportune and otherwise, Mary orated. When her
throat grew husky from her efforts, she compared samples of white tulle,
and point d'esprit, and embroidered mull. She insisted upon Elizabeth's
opi