"The moving finger writes," whispered Janet. "I see a little white messenger floating down upon the end of the string."
"Let it go on its mission," said Cordelia. "I really don't care for any more candy, but the rules of the college must be regarded, and we must do all that we can to prevent those misguided young women from placing themselves under the ban of the faculty's displeasure. If they only knew how we are sacrificing ourselves in their interest, they would surely show proper gratitude. I suppose every one of us will waken with a headache and a metallic taste in her mouth after those caramels."
"Answer for yourself, Cordelia," said Lee. "It takes more than one box of caramels to give me a headache, and I have eaten no more than quarter of that amount this evening."
After what seemed a very long time, the string began to move again; this time very slowly as if something weighty were fastened to it. Janet cautiously opened the window and in a few minutes, a box three times the size of the first one, appeared. It took but an instant to secure it. There was a mocking laugh from above and subdued cheers and cat-calls from below.
"It doesn't feel solid like candy," said Janet. "It has a queer feeling."
"Don't open it in the dark then," said Edna. "You don't know what trick they may be playing us."
"Suppose you don't open it at all," suggested Lee.
"Not open it at all? I never in the world could let it go again. What would you suggest my doing with it, if I don't open it?"
"Oh, just tie it on the string again and let it down."
"No, don't, Janet," interposed Cordelia. "That would be holding direct communication with the forbidden sex. Our object is to prevent that very thing. Let us see what it is. We want to know the joke, whatever it is."