and-glass to scrutinise
more closely unknown aspects of face and head.

"I know what you've come for! I've had two Freshers already. Bowled
over at the thought of inventing a costume--that's it, isn't it? Oh,
you'll rise to it yet. The only difficulty is to hit on an idea--the
rest's as easy as pie. That's what I'm doing now--studying my phiz to
see what it suggests. My nose, now! What d'you think of my nose?
Seems to me that nose wasn't given me for nothing. _And_ the width
between the eyes! It's borne in upon me that I must be either a turnip
lantern or a Dutch doll. The doll would probably be the most becoming,
so I'll plump for that. Don't breathe a word, for it must be a secret
to the last. As for you--it would be easy to suggest a dozen pretty-
pretties."

Margaret wheeled round in her chair, and sat nursing her knees,
regarding Darsie with a twinkling eye. "Big eyes, long neck, neat
little feet--you'd make an adorable Alice in Wonderland, with ankle-
strap slippers, and a comb, and a dear little pinny over a blue frock!
And your friend can be the Mad Hatter. Look well, wouldn't she, with a
hat on one side? There are only the girls to see you, and the more
comic you can make yourself the better they'll be pleased. You are
about to be introduced to a new side of Newnham life, and will see how
mad the students can be when they let themselves go. You'll laugh
yourself ill before the evening's over. Well, think it over, and come
back to me if you want any properties. My dress will be easy enough--
braided hair, short white frock (butter-muslin at a penny the yard),
white stockings with sandals, another pair of stockings to cover my
arms, chalked face and neck, with peaked eyebrows and neat little spots
of red on the cheekbones and tip of the chin. If you feel inclined to
be angelic, you might run up with your paint-box at the last minute, and
dab on my joints."

"Joints!"

Darsie gaped in bewilderment, whereupon Margaret cried resentfully--

"Well, I must _have_ joints, mustn't I? How do you expect me to move?
A paint-box is invaluable on these occasions, as you'll find before you
are through. Now, my love, I'll bid you a fond adieu, for work presses.
By the by, one word in your ear! Don't ask a third-year girl to dance
with you if you value your nose!"

"What will happen to it if I do?"

"Snapped off! Never mind I look pretty and meek, and perhaps she'll ask
_you_. Now be off--be off