Alvin came promptly across and Katy made room for him beside her. He wore his new red tie, but his face as the light from the street lamp fell upon it was far from happy.
"Is your gran'mom yet sick?" he asked.
"Yes." Katy could answer only in a monosyllable. Alvin was here, he sat beside her, the skirt of her dress rested against him.
"I was here once in the garden, and I whistled for you. I did not know your gran'mom was sick."
"I heard it, but I couldn't come." The two voices had all the tones of deep tragedy. "It was when my gran'mom was first taken sick." Katy felt suddenly tired and weak, but she was very happy. She noticed now the odor of honeysuckle and the sweeter jasmine out on the garden wall. It was a beautiful world.
After a long time Alvin spoke again, still unhappily.
"David Hartman is going away to school."
Katy's heart gave a jealous throb. It was not fair for any one to have an education when she could not.
"He is going right away to the real college."
"He cannot!" said Katy. "He cannot pass the examination. He is no farther than I and I couldn't get in the real college. I guess we have catalogues that tell about it!"