The clatter of dishes and the clink of glasses vied with the chatter of eager young voices as the girls began their evening meal at Cedar Ridge. The dining room was brightly lighted, and each table, seating twelve students, was fully occupied.
Arden and her friends began passing the food among themselves.
“Gold fish again!” announced Jane Randall as the waitress put a large dish of creamed salmon in the center of the table.
“And boiled potatoes and beans,” Terry added before that number of the bill of fare was in evidence.
“What do you guess for dessert?” Jane asked Terry. “Library paste or pie?”
Terry considered a moment, during which time Sim, on her left, held a heavy white plate beneath her nose.
“Library paste—always on Tuesday,” Sim finished, giving the college slang name to cornstarch pudding of a pale yellow hue. “I could do nicely with some extra food tonight.”
“Good idea, Sim,” remarked Mary Todd. “What do you say we raid the kitchen later?”
“Fine!” agreed Sim. “We’ll get Arden, Terry, Jane, Ethel, you, and me. That makes a good-sized party.”
“You come for us, Mary,” Terry suggested. “Knock on our door when you’re ready to go, and we’ll have a feast.”