In her confusion she opened the bathroom door with such violence she almost knocked Chloe down. Chloe was drying her face and Sue’s roly-poly figure was doubled over the lavatory. She was still scrubbing.
“What! Y’all too?”
Then Mimi saw how funny it was. Going without make-up was no trial for her. She used very little anyhow. She only side-swiped her nose with a powder puff on special occasions. But Sue couldn’t set her hair! Chloe couldn’t put polish on her nails! No rouge, no powder, no lipstick, no mascara for a week. It would be much worse in College Hall than in Prep Hall. Green Cap Week had started in College Hall for the freshmen. In a year or so the Preps had taken up this light form of hazing and applied Green Cap Week regulations to all new girls regardless of class. Mrs. Cole was constantly on guard for fear they would overdo it. She heartily approved of one rule, however. No college freshman or new girl could leave the campus the entire week. Prep girls never could leave unchaperoned. Thinking over the rules, Mimi wondered if there’d ever be time to go to town.
Even Chloe smiled broadly before they hustled back to their classes. About as well be a good sport.
Mimi had recovered her poise when she dashed by Tumble Inn between dinner and class time. Betsy and two other old girls were there grouped around the treasure chest finishing the date cake.
“’Scuse,” Mimi apologized, “but I live here, too.”
“Glad you came.” Betsy’s tone made it evident they were waiting for her. “I didn’t stop for my mail. Bring it up, please. They will let you have it. I have arranged with the girl.”
“I mustn’t let her see she is getting under my skin—I mustn’t—I mustn’t,” Mimi gritted her teeth together.
“Be a pleasure. Going by anyway. So long.”
“Oh Mimi,” one of the other girls called, “Since you’re going that way, stop in 223 and pick up my laundry and take it down to the maid’s entrance. It’s all tied up and tagged.”