In a hollow voice, one of the Juniors read:
“Proclamation of the ΦΑΒ Sorority, October 30th, 1920—
“Be it understood that Doris Sands, Anna Cane, Mae VanHorn, and Marjorie Wilkinson are hereby pledged as members of the ΦΑΒ Sorority. They must submit themselves to all rules of the sorority, and keep everything absolutely secret. If they comply with these terms, they shall, in three weeks’ time, be initiated as regular members. Will you hereby sign your acceptance of these terms?”
The freshmen were handed a large book; each girl signed, and a seal was made after her name. Then they were blindfolded and put through two or three initiation stunts.
By four o’clock, the proceedings were over, and refreshments were served. Each girl was presented with a tiny silver pledge-pin which she wore on the left side of her shirtwaist.
When all was over, Marjorie went back to her room almost dazed. It seemed impossible that she could not go tell Ruth about it—why, Ruth hadn’t made it—she must be unhappy! And poor Lily! Surely she didn’t expect to make it—and yet—well, she would do her best to console her.
She was hardly inside the room, and had just noticed Lily lying on her couch in tears, when Mae VanHorn ran up to her.
“Oh, Marjorie,” she said, “do come out for a walk with me. I’m simply dying to talk it over with somebody. Besides, I have to get away from my room-mate (Mae roomed with Evelyn); she’s so blue I can’t stand her company!”
Marjorie glanced at Lily. “Thanks, Mae,” she said, “but I can’t leave Lily; she’s been alone all afternoon.”