Dorothy Whitehill

“ They went downstairs arm in arm and across the broad piazza. Phyllis sat down with her back against one of the big pillars, and Janet stood on the top step.
The close-cropped green lawn fell away from the house in a gracious slope to meet a fringe of trees that deepened into a woods at all sides. The tennis courts were visible far away to the right. They were filled with girls, and in the quiet of the late afternoon their voices floated laughing on the breeze. To the left the archery target blazed in its fresh coat of bright colors.
Archery was the chief sport of Hilltop. ”

“ Polly answered. "The roads are not used out there and it ought to be good for sleighing."
"We're off."
"Cheer once for Seddon Hall," Betty commanded and was promptly obeyed. "Now for Connie. We've time for one song before we reach the village," she said, after Connie had been lustily cheered. "Everybody sing."
They reached the foot of the hill, and the horses broke into a quick trot—the bells on their harness jingled merrily in the crisp, cold air. It was a wonderful night. The moon was almost full, and its brilliant rays, falling on the white snow, made it sparkle like millions of stars. ”

“ Janet looked up at her suddenly.
"It's silly to like dreary things, even days, and it's most awfully silly to be dreary yourself. Not fair, you know, when every body's doing their best to be nice."
"But they're not," Janet said quickly. "They were the first day and then—"
Daphne turned slowly and looked at her. For once her drooping lids fully uncovered the sea green eyes that they were usually at such pains to hide. A strand of her taffy-colored hair blew across her face, and she tucked it carefully under her hat before she answered. ”

“ Prue exclaimed.
“Yes, Jan, tell us about this Daphne. She has a lovely name,” Ann added.
“Well, it exactly suits her,” Janet began, “only we call her Taffy because she has a mop of hair that looks exactly like taffy candy, the rich yellow kind, and her eyes are green, just the color of the sea, when you look straight down into it on a misty day, and her cheeks are like rose petals, not bright pink, but a soft, delicate tint, and her cheeks are ivory white, like cream. She has long slender hands and the most wonderful voice you ever heard; it’s soft and furry; she always drawls ”

“ Polly insisted.
“Oh, all right.” Betty consulted her pad.
“Some people sigh, and wish for the day, When work is all gone, and there’s only play. But if the world were black as ink, We wouldn’t care at all If Lois were always captain And our hearts her basket ball.”
“I don’t think much of it, the meter changes,” Betty said critically.
“That’s all right, as long as it doesn’t change in the same verse,” Polly replied. “I think it’s great. Who next?”
“Oh, no more tonight,” Betty groaned, “give me my cracker. I’m starved.”
“No time, there goes the silence bell.” Lois laughed. ”

“ Janet, for all her apparent interest for her book, had been listening with one ear to the conversation.
"Why, Jan,"—Phyllis looked at her in amazement—"wouldn't you like a car?"
"No, I hate them; silly smelly things—give me a horse every time."
"Old fashioned," scoffed Phyllis. "I'll take a high-powered racer every time."
Miss Carter listened and smiled her amusement.
"And you will both have to take a street car,"—she laughed. "Poor abused children! Hurry along with you, and get ready or you will keep Daphne waiting." ”

“ Lois knelt on the lower step, and Louise placed the wreath on her head.
“I crown you the most beautiful picture of the evening,” she said. And the girls broke out in heartiest applause.
“I knew it, I knew it,” Miss Porter whispered to Miss King. “She’s exquisite. See how her eyes sparkle when she blushes. She’s exactly the sensitive, delicate type, for a Jeanne D’Arc.”
“She is lovely,” Miss King agreed, in her frank way. “But if I’d had the awarding of the prize, Polly would have had it. She’s a splendid girl, she gave me a sweater, as well as a tam for Martha. I love that spirit.” ”

“ Polly was indignant.
"Jim, what a silly thing to say. You know perfectly well that just as many boys play it as girls. The only difference is that when we play we have to use our minds—while boys—"
"Yes, we know, Poll," Bob interrupted, "boys have no minds; therefore their rules must be less rigid. But don't be too hard on us."
"I judge Polly plays basket ball." It seemed to be Jim's day for blunders.
"Plays basket ball—oh, ye Gods!" Bob wrung his hands. "Why, Jim, surely I told you that she was no less than captain of her team. Personally, I think she deserves the title of general." ”

“ Why, look at you, Sally. You were awfully good friends with Alice Bard, and she was a new wing girl....”
“Well, for that matter, take us here today,” Louise put in. “We’re really the best of friends, and yet—”
“And yet there’s a difference. It’s rather like two brothers who go to different colleges. They love each other, but they love their colleges too.”
“All very well,” said Gladys, “but the truth of the matter is that both wings enjoy the spirit of competition. It gives us something to think about and work for.”
“But you’re so good-natured about it,” Janet said wonderingly. ”

“ Phyllis insisted. "If we were only at Old Chester we could have a picnic."
"But there'd be no one to go to it but Harry Waters and the Blakes," Janet reminded her.
"That's right, I forgot Peter and Jack are at school; but anyhow a picnic would be fun."
"Where could you have one around here?" Janet demanded, practical as ever.
Phyllis looked at her disapprovingly.
"Jan, you're a wet blanket!" she exclaimed.
"I'm not. I'm only trying to be sensible."
"Well, stop; it's too gorgeous a day to be anything but happy, so don't let's bother about that stupid party any more." ”

“ On they sped to the orchard and panting, but delighted, they again reached the bridge.
“Everybody underneath and don’t make a sound,” Polly warned them, “and keep well to the end so they won’t see us as they come along; our only danger is, that they may notice the short trail that leads down here.”
They waited for what seemed an age, balancing themselves on slippery stones, very much excited, but very still, save for an occasionally suppressed giggle.
In a few minutes they heard the thump, thump of the approaching hounds and held their breath as the bridge shook over their heads. ”

“ It was almost a marvel the way Angela followed out her threat. In the ten minutes before dinner, while Connie was surrounded by her other friends, she managed to convey to every girl in the school that Constance Wentworth was the most wonderful pianist in the world, and that she had, by her superior ability, won a scholarship.
Poor Connie! She was always shy where her music was concerned, and she blushed in misery under the torrent of congratulations, and never touched a bite of dinner. ”

“ Ladd laughed and pinched Sally's cheek. She was a tall and strikingly handsome woman with flashing black eyes and the jolliest laugh in the world. All Sally's friends loved her almost as much as they loved Sally, and she was always in demand with Auntie Mogs to act as chaperone to the various skating and theater parties.
"You are getting very grown up," she answered now, her eyes twinkling. "Last year it was hot chocolate you wanted and the year before that ice cream and now it's tea."
"And we really hate it," Phyllis laughed. "We'd lots rather have chocolate." ”

“ They stopped aghast at the sight of the Twins.
Phyllis managed a very little smile.
“Congratulations,” she said.
“Phil, do you mean?” Daphne demanded and poor Phyllis nodded.
Ann and Prue and Gladys came dancing in. Gladys had made the Archery Team as a substitute.
They stopped, too shocked and surprised at the news of Phyllis’s failure.
“But you deserved it, Phil,” Ann insisted.
“Nonsense, I did no such thing. You don’t deserve things just because you want them,” Phyllis replied. “Goodness me, I’ve enough joy in your good luck to last me a life-time. So do forget about me.” ”

“ Betty turned disconsolately towards the window. They were standing in the schoolroom corridor.
“Looks as if we were in for another deluge,” she groaned. “Not even a chance of a let-up. Now, if it would only freeze!”
“What can we do?” sighed Lois. “Assembly Hall will be mobbed by the lower school girls, and you know the noise they make.”
“I have it!” exclaimed Polly. “Let’s get permission from Miss Porter to use the English room, and then each take parts and read ‘The Merchant of Venice’ aloud.”
“Polly, you’re a genius; it’s the very thing,” chorused Lois and Betty. ”