“Certainly!” replied Lily. “Oh, Marj, you’ll surely be a Girl Scout before then. But keep on studying,” she urged.
When Marjorie laid her paper on Miss White’s desk on Tuesday, she felt that she had done exceedingly well in the examination. She had thought out each construction and had written carefully; she had gone over her paper twice to make sure that there were no corrections or omissions; and she was the next to last girl to leave the room.
Ruth Henry was the last girl to turn in her paper. This was not because she was slow or uncertain of her work, for she was an excellent Latin student; but she usually remained to walk over to the dormitory with Miss White, with whom she was a great favorite.
Just as she rose from her seat to hand in her paper, a messenger entered from the office.
“Miss White, here is a telegram for you,” she said, handing her a yellow envelope.
Ruth stood still, and the messenger withdrew. As Miss White read the telegram, her face grew pale.
“What is it, Miss White? Oh, I hope nothing is wrong?” said Ruth.
“My mother’s very ill—I must go home immediately.”
“I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” asked Ruth impulsively.
Miss White hesitated a moment. “Yes, dear, thank you—straighten up this room and my desk; put the papers in a neat pile in the bottom drawer; then lock it and bring me the key. And you can carry my suitcase to the station, if you wish.”