“Ah? Your parents do not believe in an extensive wardrobe for a schoolgirl. Perhaps they are quite right,” the lady said placidly. “I will see, Miss Granger, if I can assign Miss Baldwin to the room of which you speak. You mean Number Eighty, of which Miss Purcell was the last occupant?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“I will see. You may now go. I wish you both good-night. I hope you will find your place in this—to you—new world, Miss Baldwin, and find it easily.”
Beth thanked her, and then turned to Cynthia before she left the room in Molly’s wake. “I do hope you will be successful in pleasing her,” she whispered, warmly squeezing the freckled girl’s hand.
Then she hurried out. She felt that the madam’s stern eyes were upon her. This was, indeed, a new world to Beth Baldwin, and she had much besides book-lessons to learn in it.
CHAPTER XI
“THE GLASS OF FASHION”
The two girls had supper in Miss Small’s room. Miss Small was the under housekeeper, and a very excellent woman. Beth liked her at once.
While they were still at the table, a set of Japanese gongs, somewhere in the corridor, rung by electricity, sounded. This marked half-past eight.
“No chance to show you off to the girls to-night, Beth,” said Jolly Molly. “That’s the signal for us all to retire to our rooms. Of course, ‘lights out’ is not sounded for an hour yet; but visiting back and forth in the final hour before bedtime is frowned upon by the ‘powers that be.’ That is why I hope the madam will give you Number Eighty. I have Eighty-one. There’s a door between and we have the sole use of a private bathroom. It’s scrumptious!”
Just then a lady entered whom Beth had not seen before—a pleasant-faced lady with youthful features but very white hair. Miss Carroll owned a baby-fair, pink and white complexion. Her lovely hair, massed high upon her small head, made her look queenly—something, Beth whispered to Molly, in the style of Marie Antoinette!