Jean K. Baird

“ While conversation buzzed, and fans fluttered, Azzie, dressed as somberly as the rostrum looked, walked slowly down the main aisle. Her gown was of some thin black stuff. She suited her walk and expression to match the color of her dress. She wore no flowers. A big roll of music was in her hand.
“She’s going to play.” Each one straightened her shoulders and leaned eagerly forward, fairly holding her breath in anticipation, for Azzie’s fame as a pianist was far-reaching.
Moving slowly to the front of the rostrum, she seated herself at the piano. ”

“ As they quitted the dining-hall, Elizabeth looked about for Mary, but could not find her. Nora, Landis, Min and Anna Cresswell also were among the missing. Then she hurried to join Nancy and Mame.
“Mary is not to be found. Perhaps she has already gone to chapel.”
The audience hall was almost filled when they entered. Bright fans on the wing looked like a swarm of gay butterflies. The subdued hush of conversation came from all parts of the room. Elizabeth looked about but could not see her roommate. ”

“ I do not wish my hearers to believe I would countenance news-carrying or tattling. That, of course, is beneath any right-minded person. But we must—I say we must,” Landis raised her finger impressively, and repeated the words as though she intended at that moment to root out the evil with tooth and nail, “We must get rid of this deceptive tendency. It will have an evil effect on Exeter. Perhaps, in time, destroy the school altogether.”
“Umph! Exeter has stood a hundred years and will stand a hundred more in spite of anything Landis may do,” said Miss O’Day, in a low tone to Elizabeth. ”

“ She led the way to a table by the window where she seated herself at its head, placing Elizabeth at her right.
“Miss Morgan never allows roommates to sit together at meals,” she explained, “or two girls who have been reared together as Mary and Nancy have. She wishes us to know all the students, and tries to prevent our forming little cliques, as we’re bound to do when we room and eat and study with the same people.”
“But what if you should not like the other people?” asked Elizabeth. “It must be rather unpleasant to sit at meals with someone whom you do not like.” ”

“ I’m no miner! What have I to do with the strike? If the men attack that miserable little sneak of a superintendent, what have I to say?”
“Everything. You are not a miner, but they do as you say. They do not know it is so, but you do. I want you to go out 380 there; tell them—tell them anything, only so they do not make the attack to-night.”
“Nonsense. Even if they should do as I say, what’s the odds? I’ve no love for that man Hobart. He’s been fighting me for years. He’ll get no more than he deserves. No, no, Nora. Girls mustn’t meddle.” ”

“ You will find Exeter rigid in many ways, Miss Hobart. Miss Morgan is what I call a crank on development of character. She keeps track of the thousand little things that a girl is supposed not to do. In her lectures to us, which she gives twice a semester, she declares that these seeming trifles are neither sins nor crimes in themselves, but getting into the habit of yielding to trifles is detrimental to the development of strong character. ”

“ She had her father’s aptitude for study, and took up an original problem in geometry as most girls take up their fancy work.
Elizabeth had no girl friends at Bitumen. Her father was the only really young person she knew, for although in years he was not young, yet in the joy he took in living, he was still a boy. He had the buoyancy of youth and the ability of manhood. No laugh came clearer or more often than his. No one could be dull in his presence. ”

“ Lacking the capacity to enjoy 350 the higher life of school, we can not blame them that they amused themselves with mere toys. We Seniors who wear the philosopher’s cap and gown must bear in mind that it would ill become the clown or jester. We listen to the music which rolls down the ages; but the tinkle of the bells won the ears of the Middlers. It is ever so. The world cannot be all of the higher ideal element. They cannot all be Seniors. ”

“ I do not like the idea of your being here alone. Exeter is dull with the girls gone. It’s really unbearable. But I have arranged to go home with Min until the day before Christmas. We always have a big family party for that day, and our home is filled. I suppose we could tuck you in somewhere—if you do not object to the third floor.”
“Oh, do not think of it, I beg you,” began Elizabeth hurriedly. Somehow Exeter without company seemed better to her than The Beeches with Landis. “I would not for the world cause you any inconvenience. Besides, the matter is in the hands of Dr. Morgan. ”

“ Sinking back in her chair as though this was too much to be borne, Elizabeth sighed deeply, then said, “I’m surely surprised at you, Mary. Affairs have come to a pretty pass when you’re in debt and take glory in it.”
Mary laughed, tossed aside her paper, and coming over to her roommate, sat down beside her. “It’s my new oration. Miss Brosius called me into her office, and gave me this to learn. It is really very fine—effective, if my voice was not quite so high-pitched. Listen, I’ve learned so much already.” ”

“ You young girls who are new to school-life and have had no experience outside your own little town do not understand these matters. You are, if I may say it, a little narrow in your views. You know only one way, and have the notion that there can be no other. You say I read those essays. Why, of course I did. They were good, too, and I received a great deal of help from them. Every one who writes even a little bit makes an effort to read all the good things along the same lines. That is the only way one can develop talent. I got some excellent ideas from Mrs. O’Day’s essays. ”

“ Her new spring dress had come the day before. She had spread it out on the couch to show Elizabeth, and it still lay there. She took it up in her hands, inspecting with care every hook and bit of trimming. It was beautifully made and of handsome material. But Nora O’Day was not satisfied. She missed more and more the mother she had never known. She coveted the plain, simple gown which loving hands had made for her friend.
Elizabeth wasted no time in putting her frock into use. Dressing immediately, she went over to Landis’ room to talk over the plan of examinations. ”

“ To Elizabeth who blurted out everything, and who was frank and out-spoken, there was nothing more distasteful than insinuations.
“Whom do you mean, Landis?”
“It is not necessary to say,” was the response. “I mentioned the fact only to let you understand that it was not the policy to which I objected. As I said before, I am on the side of right. I wish my influence always to be for good.”
“But it is necessary to tell. The girls who signed that first petition to Dr. Morgan are friends of mine. They are girls who stand well in school, and they’re popular, every one of them. ”

“ Beethoven and Mozart may be fine, but I like the kind that the newsboys whistle and all the hurdy-gurdies play.”
“Wouldn’t Mozart turn in his grave if he heard her?” asked Mame. “Speak to her, Azzie. Reason with her. You are the only one who has artistic sense enough to be shocked. Tell her to keep quiet, like the others of us do, and pretend to revel in delight at Wagner.”
“Will the Middlers be in it, too?” asked Elizabeth. Her heart failed at the thought.
“Yes,” said Mary, seeing that Elizabeth was really concerned at the prospect of appearing in public. ”

“ O’Day listened to the muttered growls of dissatisfaction.
“But, I suppose,” he continued hypocritically, “that we shouldn’t blame the men who have put their money in the mines. They are only wanting a fair interest on their investment. That’s only right. No doubt they send money enough right into Bitumen to have things kept up first-class, better houses for the miners, and cables that don’t break. I’m thinking there hain’t one of those big ones in the city who knows how poor you men live, how little you get, and how you risk your lives every day you work. ”

“ I never like to run a risk,” said Landis. “I should not like to be called into the office to-morrow.”
“I have found it this way with Mrs. Schuyler,” explained Mary Wilson. “The moment you are sure she isn’t about, that is the moment you can be sure she is ready to pounce on you.”
“But she won’t be here now. I’ll yell and see.” She yelled—a yell that must have have reached to the end of the dormitory and pierced any number of closed doors. The girls suppressed their half-frightened giggles, and waited. Azzie was right. Mrs. Schuyler did not appear. ”

“ She and Elizabeth stepped inside. Elizabeth’s face grew crimson. In the middle of the floor lay her school shoes which, in her haste to dress, she had kicked off and left. Her coat and hat were on one chair. Stretched out on the end of the couch was her gym suit, glaringly conspicuous with its crimson braid. Every toilet article that she had used was in evidence, and in a place never designed for its occupancy.
Miss Wilson arose to the occasion. With a characteristic toss of the head, she crossed the room and drew forward a chair. “Sit, all of you, and I’ll put the kettle to boil for cocoa. ”

“ Kitchell.
“The girls are all through,” she exclaimed, a thrill of pleasureable excitement showing in her voice. “There was not a word spoken, nor communication of any sort.”
“It is truly the only way to conduct an examination,” he answered, turning to walk with her down the hall to the dormitory. “The credit should be given to you, Miss Hobart. This police-duty, which so insulted you last fall, was not pleasant work for a teacher; but custom makes slaves of us all. Nothing will please us better than knowing that Exeter can have honest examinations without faculty supervision. ”

“ She was a girl of large physique, with broad shoulders, which she carried rigidly. This, with the haughty pose of her head, attracted attention to her even in a crowd.
Her companion was as tall, but more slender. It was evident that she looked up to Landis and depended upon her in every emergency. A reader of human nature could have seen at a glance that she was the weaker.
From their conversation, it appeared they knew all places and people of importance along the route. As the train stopped at Westport, Landis viewed the town with critical eye. ”

“ Here Landis’ self-confidence 296 forsook her. She could not believe it possible that any girl would be generous enough to keep to herself such a matter as that of the essay-copying. Should Elizabeth tell but one or two, the affair would soon become public property. Her name would be mentioned with scorn throughout Exeter. Already she saw herself ostracized as she had helped to ostracize Nora O’Day. But if such a condition would result from her dishonesty, she would leave The Hall at once. She was much too proud, too ambitious, to allow anyone to ignore her. ”

“ One stormy night he met Gerani on his way home. Catching him by his sleeve, he detained him long enough to say in his native tongue, “I’ve a word to say to you in secret, 268 brother. O’Day is not the only one that knows about the Dago. The superintendent, he knows, too; but he keeps quiet because you are a good miner when you are not drunk, brother. So a word of warning. Keep friends with Mr. Hobart, and whatever happens, don’t let it come to his ears that Gerani went up at daylight to work at the engine. ”

“ Hastening to the door, she peered into the hall. Not a ‘noble Senior’ was in sight. The girls flitting through the dormitories were Middlers and Freshmen. Confident that she was safe from interference, Elizabeth, her white gown trailing after her, started forth for the chapel. Nancy Eckdahl and Mame Welch joined her at the foot of the stairway.
“Don’t I look like a boiled lobster?” cried Nancy. “But this was the only dress anywhere near my size. It’s Nora O’Day’s. Isn’t it handsome? It is unfortunate that she is so dark and I so fair. ”

“ Students who would scorn to be other than strictly fair and upright outside of class 302 have stooped to all manner of subterfuge to pass an examination. All sense of moral responsibility evaporated the instant they took that little slip of printed questions in their hands.”
“So I have learned,” said Elizabeth. She could not refrain from smiling. Dr. Kitchell had a jocular manner. His words, even in the discussions of the most serious matters, had a touch of humor. “That is what surprised me most. The girls are Christians, that is, the greater number are. ”

“ Like every one else, I think there should be no dishonor in examinations. But to my mind, tale-bearing is equally dishonorable. Consider the idea 184 of our pledging ourselves to run and tell every one else when we find that someone has done wrong. I refuse to do such a thing even though I know it would stamp out every bit of cheating in our examinations.”
At this came a burst of applause, so that for the time Elizabeth was forced to discontinue. She saw Mary Wilson’s eyes beaming upon her. ”

“ A little boy several years old was on the seat beside her, and the instant the baby began to fret, he set up a distinct and independent howl of his own.
Landis made no attempt to conceal her discomfort.
“How annoying!” she exclaimed in tones that could be heard half the length of the car. “Anything but a crying baby! Why don’t women with babies stay at home? It wouldn’t matter so much if there was a decent train on this road, but one can’t get a Pullman for love or money. If there is anything I despise, it’s traveling with a mixed set. You never know whom you are getting next to.” ”

“ Meester Hobart, he say, ‘No tear up road.’ Joe Ratowsky, he say, ‘No tear up road.’ All time keep watch so no tear up road. You not come. Mebbe no road, mebbe all right, b’gosh.”
“A strike, Joe? Do you mean the miners threaten to destroy the road?” He nodded.
“No strike now, b’gosh. Colowski, he say, ‘Strike.’ Then all say, ‘Strike.’ Joe Ratowsky, he give him one between his eyes like this.” He doubled up his fist, showing how peace had been restored. “He no say strike then. He crawl off. He no come round for day and day.”
“Did they go back to work then?” Elizabeth was excited. ”

“ There are receptions, socials and spreads, but the greatest of these are spreads. A spread means slipping through dimly lighted corridors long after the retiring-bell has sounded its last warning; it means bated breaths, whispers and suppressed giggles. Its regalia is dressing-gowns or kimonos with bedroom slippers. It means mysterious knocks at the hostess’ door; a hurried skirmish within; and when it is found that one of the enlightened is rapping for admission, there is a general exodus from closets, from behind window draperies and from beneath study-tables. ”

“ Her father laughed, “Impossible! The girls at Exeter will teach you more in one term than I can in a year. I do not expect you to be a Senior. I shall be more than satisfied with your entering as a ‘Middler.’ You’ll need plenty of time for extras.”
“Extras? What extras must I take?”
“Chafing-dish cooking and fudge making,” 19 replied Miss Hale, promptly. “It will take a full term for you to find your place among young people, and learn all they will teach you.”
“But they will know no more than I do,” said Elizabeth. ”

“ She looked quite serious at the mention of Miss O’Day.
“Miss O’Day might—not like to be bothered. Besides, you do not know her very well. I’ll send Nancy.”
With that she disappeared.
As the gaslight in the bedroom was not satisfactory Elizabeth went into the sitting-room or study, as the students were accustomed to call it, to finish her dressing. Nancy came to the door just as Elizabeth put on the last touches.
“We’ll be late,” she exclaimed. “I think it’s fun to go early and meet all the strangers. Judge Wilson and his friends will be here if the train was on time at Ridgway.” ”