She’d be the same way about Sheridan. In the long summer days ahead she would miss the window ledge in the gym where she had perched to rest, the atmosphere of Tumble Inn; and now since it had been the scene of such violent emotions, Dr. Barnes’ office was endeared to her.
Because of the fire the Baccalaureate service had been changed from morning to evening. True some of the Prep graduates were not as well dressed as they had planned to be, but, taken as a whole, the rows and rows of girls in white made an inspiring picture.
The Commencement program proper, at which sheepskins were awarded to the college girls taking degrees, and highly embossed parchment diplomas were given to the graduating Preps, was Monday morning at eleven o’clock. Since this was the last year of its long existence, the Preparatory students were given the special privilege of carrying the daisy chain. Instead of the seniors filing in a single line carrying the great rope of plaited flowers to pass down to the undergraduates as had been the custom, the order was reversed. The seventy-five girls of the Prep department carried the daisy chain and passed it to the college freshmen. This year the significance was that the fine old traditions on which Sheridan Seminary had been founded must not die. They must be the foundation of Sheridan’s continued growth now that she was to be a fully accredited college.
Mimi felt very solemn marching along balancing the flower rope on her erect shoulder.
True to her word, Olivia the “near-child-prodigy” took first honors with the highest average ever made by a Prep.
Sue played in the orchestra.
Betsy and Mimi sat side by side.
Imagine Mimi’s astonishment when Dr. Barnes, contrary to his time-honored policy of never singling out girls for special attention, publicly commended her for her cool-headed bravery the night of the fire. She was pleased but Betsy was ecstatic!
Things were whirling around Mimi, but not touching her deeply. She was absorbed in a mystery solved and a home-coming.
“Free night” before departure, when all restrictions were off, was fun; but Mimi was impatient. Had she been going south instead of north she could have left Monday evening.