“And we are coming right up to see you,” added Janet.
At the same moment a knock sounded on their door. An upper classman informed them that they, too, had been elected full-fledged members in the Omega Chi, and since one of their number was not able to come downstairs to partake in the reception for the Freshmen, they would bring the reception to their room. Gale’s and Phyllis’ room became the reception place for twenty new members. Adele, in her position of president, calmly took possession of Gale’s desk over which to transact the business of her office.
The little group listened attentively to the purposes of the sorority as extolled by their president, and paid strict attention while the constitution and list of new officers were read to them. They were humorously reminded, before they broke up, that their initiation would take place at the beginning of the new term.
The next afternoon after classes Gale made her way to the lake. Doctor Elton had promised to have Phyllis there in the sunshine. Gale had made a flying visit to her room to don a bathing suit for a swim, and finding Phyllis absent, concluded that the Doctor had kept his word.
Gale had been thinking over what Phyllis told her last night. What a struggle had been going on in Phyllis’ mind these past weeks and none of them had guessed! Just those few words on the night before had brought home to Gale the knowledge of what Phyllis was up against. The girl was afraid—terribly afraid that the miracle Doctor Elton had performed would not hold. Something must be done! The girls must do something to bring back Phyl’s self-confidence. But what? Only Phyllis herself could really go through this trial. She must try her own strength. That was the only way she could ever possibly be sure of herself again.
Phyllis and her father were sitting on a bench overlooking the lake. Gale waved as they saw her approaching. Phyllis’ hand was in the crook of her father’s arm and she looked very happy. Gale told herself that the discovery of Phyl’s father had worked miracles—all but the most important one.
Doctor Elton strolled away from Phyllis and approached Gale. Just out of earshot of the girl on the bench they stopped. They talked together for several minutes and then Gale came on to Phyllis while Doctor Elton went toward the campus.
“Glorious afternoon,” Gale said dropping beside Phyllis.
“So nice and warm in the sunshine,” Phyllis agreed. “Where did my Dad go?”