Polly and Lois looked at her. The smiles faded from their lips, and they ate the rest of the sherbet in silence.
CHAPTER XX
COMMENCEMENT
Commencement was over. The service in the little church had been very simple, but very beautiful. The Seniors dressed in the daintiest of white lawn dresses had received their diplomas, and marched slowly down the center aisle.
There had been a hurried scramble back to school. A change of clothes and then the long line of carriages had started for the station.
Polly stood on the last step of the Senior porch. Lois and her mother and father had just left for the train. They were returning to Albany for a little while before leaving for the summer vacation.
Polly was going back to New York with Uncle Roddy in his car. She watched the last carriage out of sight. There was an unnatural silence about the school buildings and she looked dejectedly at the deserted grounds. Uncle Roddy was saying good-by to Mrs. Baird at the door.
"Are you ready to start, Tiddledewinks?" he asked, handing her suitcase to the chauffeur, and waiting to help her in the car.
Polly turned to Mrs. Baird.