But above the first story
the old partitions had been ripped out and the floors cut up on each
side of the main stairways into a single broad, T-shaped corridor and
many reasonably spacious bedrooms and studies.

One walked out of the corridor into the studies; the bedrooms were back
of these dens, with broad windows, overlooking the beautiful grounds.

On the first dormitory floor were the instructors' rooms, for the most
part. One lady teacher only slept on the second floor; above, the
seniors and juniors governed their own dormitories. By the time the
girls came to their last two years at Pinewood Hall, Madame Schakael
believed that they should be governed by honor solely.

The freshies were paired on the first dormitory floor--two girls in each
apartment. Number 30, Nancy found, was upon one of the "arms" of the
corridor, and a good way from any of the teachers' studies, and from the
main stairway.

When Corinne and Nancy came to Number 30 there was nobody in the study
or bedroom. The older girl snapped on the electric lights by pushing a
button in the wall beside the entrance door.

"Rathmore is your chum," said Corinne, lightly. "I hope you two girls
will get on well together. I like to have all the chums live together
without friction--for it is easier for me, and easier for the teachers.

"Now, Cora Rathmore has been here half a term already. Some of your
class came in last spring so as to take up certain studies to fit them
for the beginning of the fall work. I presume, from what Madame Schakael
says, that your school was a pretty good one, and that you were brought
along farther in your primary and grammar studies than some of the
others.

"However, Rathmore knows her way about. She--she's not a bad sort; but
she and some of her friends last spring made the former West Side
captain considerable trouble.

"So those girls who were bothersome," pursued Corinne, "can't room
together again this half. There! that is your side of the room. That's
your bed, and your cupboard and locker, and your dressing table. Keep
everything neat, Nancy. That's the first commandment at Pinewood Hall.
And the other commandments you can read on that framed list," and she
pointed to a brief schedule of rules and duties hanging on the wall of
the study.

Then the senior put her arm around the new girl and gave her a
resounding kiss upon her plump cheek.

"You're a nice little thing, I believe. Good-night!" she said, and ran