Betty Wales, Sophomore

her was in California, and that she was planning to spend her Christmas vacation in solitary state at Mrs. Chapin's, without letting even her adored Mary Brooks

. The only close friend she had made there was Mary Brooks; and, though Mary fully reciprocated Roberta's fondness for her, she was a person of so many ideas and interests that Roberta was necessarily left a good deal to herself. During her first year, the sociable atmosphere of the Chapin house had helped to break down her reserve and bring her, in spite of herself, into touch with the college world. But now,

her Boston cousin, who was the only young man she knew well. And after she had helped Mrs. Wales to trim the smallest sister's Christmas tree, and been down town with Mr. Wales to pick out some books for him to give Nan,-"Becau

when the good-byes had all been said, and the long tr

nk how we should feel if we couldn't go back at all-if the family fortune was swept awa

id Robert

usly. "Don't you like col

"I stay on because I hate people who give things up just because they don't l

ill this term." suggested Betty hopefully, "and then

will make a bit of dif

the least chance of g

e the best of it where you are. Some of the Chapin house fr

was almost enthusiastic. "But she

ably frighten her to death, and freeze her all

that I can get on with children and most older p

our chemistry problems. Figure out what those freshmen like and give it to the

ted Roberta. "It would s

ow," added Betty yawning, "as we were up till two la

that I'm offish, Betty. Could you come to the Jabberw

re was something about Rachel that made her quite indispensable to all gatherings of the clan. Katherine was fun when you were in the mood for her; Roberta, if she was in the mood for you. Betty was always fascinating, always responsive, but in many ways she was only a pretty c

s well, gathered in her tiny room, in the dark of the afternoon, talking over the happenings of the day and drinking tea out o

ty walked home with Rachel from th

Rachel's door. "Take off your things and make yourselve

ly, tossing her note-book on the bed and

this pleasant fashion!" laughed Rachel. "I hope you've washed the cups," she added, s

atherine loftily. "I'm the hostess. You ca

the tea-ball afterward,

must be mistaken, Rachel," she said. "These cups don't need washi

wo cups and retired from the scene of action to wash them for Betty and herself. Finally Katherine agreed that Betty might "wiggle the tea-ball" provid

dly that her particular arrangement of examinations was a great deal more onerous than the schedules of

e done lately?"

It's her manner that I object to. It was bad enough last year,

n a casual moment since the day of Will's dinner, and wondering whether after all Ethel Hale was right abou

We should never have known her at all if we hadn't happened to be in the house with her last year. It was only chance

let us all proceed to cut Helen Chase Adams. She isn't exactly our kind. We should never ha

tson's way of doing things. I only wanted to explain what is probably her point

pass it around. Do have some. And she was in there with that high and mighty senior, Beatrice Egerton, ordering a dinner for to-morrow night. I had on my

mething personal behind your wrath, and I was waiting for it to come out

k slice of lemon for her third cup. "Seriously though

t exactly a snob," objec

lso

at, Rachel? Why, it's nothing but the most transparent sort of grand-stand play. I suppose the

on either side of it. Now she leaned forward suddenly. "Oh, Katherine, please don't say that," she begged. "Indeed it isn't so! I know-Eleanor told me h

said Katherine heartily. "Only-w

ust a little while after

hy, she was quite one of the old guard for a month or two. But ever since that wonderful story of hers came out in the 'Argus,' she's gone in for the prominent sophomore act with such a v

your green sweater," said Rachel, hopin

y green sweater," she said, "but there are some people who've done too much for her-Wel

ought that another is going to love us to the end," said Rachel, reaching over a mound

dn't be such a thing for the world. I hate

sonal behind that, too," she reflected. "If the lady Eleanor

tcott House, out of hearing of their colloquy. Between the darkness and the flying snow the two girls were close together before

and Katherine and I, over in Rachel's room, wonder

hortly. "Didn't you know that it

g she had said nothing, yet reluctant now to

ve been from the first. You like to be friends with everybody. I like to pick and choose. I don't real

fall," b

orgot who I was and what I was. Now I've come to my senses again." An

possible she slipped out of the noisy dining-roo

ice sounded. It certainly broke just as if she was trying not to cry. No

lies in the border and a bewitching pink sash-it was real Japanese and the envy of all he