be missed," said the tallest of these foolish virgins, with an aquiline
nose, and certain quiet elan that bespoke the leader, as she rose
from her seat. "Have you got the books, Addy?" Addy displayed three
dissipated-looking novels under her waterproof. "And the provisions,
Carry?" Carry showed a suspicious parcel filling the pocket of her sack.
"All right, then. Come, girls, trudge--Charge it," she added, nodding to
her host as they passed toward the door. "I'll pay you when my quarter's
allowance comes."

"No, Kate," interposed Carry, producing her purse, "let me pay; it's my
turn."

"Never!" said Kate, arching her black brows loftily, "even if you do
have rich relatives, and regular remittances from California. Never!
Come, girls, forward, march!"

As they opened the door, a gust of wind nearly took them off their feet.
Kindhearted Mrs. Phillips was alarmed. "Sakes alive, galls! ye mussn't
go out in sich weather. Better let me send word to the Institoot, and
make ye up a nice bed tonight in my parlor." But the last sentence was
lost in a chorus of half-suppressed shrieks as the girls, hand in hand,
ran down the steps into the storm, and were at once whirled away.

The short December day, unlit by any sunset glow, was failing fast. It
was quite dark already, and the air was thick with driving snow. For
some distance their high spirits, youth, and even inexperience kept them
bravely up; but, in ambitiously attempting a short cut from the highroad
across an open field, their strength gave out, the laugh grew less
frequent, and tears began to stand in Carry's brown eyes. When they
reached the road again, they were utterly exhausted. "Let us go back,"
said Carry.

"We'd never get across that field again," said Addy.

"Let's stop at the first house, then," said Carry.

"The first house," said Addy, peering through the gathering darkness,
"is Squire Robinson's." She darted a mischievous glance at Carry that,
even in her discomfort and fear, brought the quick blood to her cheek.

"Oh, yes!" said Kate with gloomy irony, "certainly; stop at the squire's
by all means, and be invited to tea, and be driven home after by your
dear friend Mr. Harry, with a formal apology from Mrs. Robinson, and
hopes that the young ladies may be excused this time. No!" continued
Kate with sudden energy. "That may suit YOU; but I'm going back as I
came--by the window, or not at all" Then she pounced suddenly, like a
hawk, on Carry, who was