Fernbridge and the soothed and refining spirit ever maintained by the
instructor body of our beloved seminary.

Subconsciously I felt wincingly the grasp of her hand as I exchanged
with her the customary salutations the while I murmured a few words of
perfunctory welcome. Her clasp was almost masculine in its firmness and
pressure--much more vehement than the one which I myself exert upon
occasions of greeting. But since I, as occupant of the chair of
astronomy and ancient and modern history, shall probably be thrown in
direct contact with our new coworker but little, I anticipate no
personal embarrassments, albeit I shall endeavour to hold her at a
distance, ever and always maintaining between us a barrier of courteous
aloofness. It is the effect upon our institution as a whole that I
regard with forebodings.

In a brief period of speech with Miss Primleigh, our mathematics
teacher, which ensued in a corridor subsequent to Miss Hamm's induction
into the faculty, I gathered that Miss Primleigh, who is of a most
discerning turn of mind, shared with me these apprehensions. Also I
gleaned from Miss Primleigh certain salient facts concerning our
youthful confrere. It would seem Miss Hamm is a person of independent
means. Being quite completely orphaned as a direct consequence of the
death of both of her immediate parents, she resides in the household of
her uncle, a Mr. Hector Hamm, who recently moved into the community from
the state of Maryland. Likewise being addicted to physical exertions in
their more ardent form, she has associated herself with us rather for
the opportunity of exercising her tastes in this direction than for the
sake of any financial honorarium or, as some would put it, remuneration
of salary. At least such was Miss Primleigh's information, she
volunteering the added statement that in her opinion Miss Hamm was a
forward piece. From the inflection of Miss Primleigh's voice at this
juncture, coupled with her manner, I am constrained to believe this term
of designation is not to be taken as implying a compliment, but, on the
contrary, the approximate reverse.

Good night, diary. I shall now retire.

* * * * *

APRIL THE SEVENTH.--A certain salubriousness was to-day manifest in the
air, indicative of the passing of winter and the on-coming of spring.
After some cogitation of the subject, I decided this morning upon
arising to doff my heavier undervestments--that is, u