And the motherly looking woman wondered why the tomboys all burst into a fit of uncontrollable giggling.
[CHAPTER XV—PARSONS COURT]
“Peggy, hurry up and come to bed, the light just shines in my eyes, and shines in my eyes,” complained Katherine that night from her side of the room, “and it’s so unlike you to study so late—or aren’t you studying?”
“Nope,” answered Peggy laconically, and the hint of tears in her voice brought Katherine to a sitting posture, a wealth of surprised sympathy in her face. “What’s the matter, honey?” she asked coaxingly, “have I unknowingly used one of your themes for scrap paper? Or has Forest been mean again?”
Peggy looked across at her and folded a sheet of paper as she did so. “It isn’t anything,” she insisted.
But Katherine guessed. “You are writing to your aunt!” she exclaimed.
Slowly Peggy nodded. “I want everything,” she said. “Oh, Katherine, I don’t know how it is that when a person has so much, they can just go on wanting and wanting and not be content without it all. I know I’ve had this lovely year with all of you and ever so many girls can’t go away to school at all, but, Katherine, I’m—I’m such a pig—I—I—want college, too!”
And then the tears that would not be restrained any longer coursed down her cheeks and fell unheeded on her blue kimono, while she clasped her hands and rocked them in self-accusation and despair.
“I wish you were going—I don’t know what it will be worth without you,” moaned Katherine, in sympathy. “But, listen, Peggy, dear, there are lots of girls who have good times staying at home or traveling or—even doing something that’s lots of fun to earn money. Peggy, you aren’t a girl who can be unhappy long, by nature. Honestly, after you’ve once gotten over this you—you won’t care—”
But Katherine’s voice failed her along with her attempts at comfort.