“Well, I was thinking of mailing you some catalogues, and I hoped you might acknowledge them.”
They both laughed, the laughter of light-hearted comrades.
“Won’t you come in?” Jacquette asked, holding out her hand for the books he had been carrying.
“Can’t do it. Have to work on my class prophecy. You got me into trouble last November, when you made me write that sonnet, young lady. I’m doing this prophecy in rhyme, and it’s turning my hair grey.”
“I’m wild to hear it! You and Quis will be the only ones to represent the class, Friday night, won’t you? What are you going to prophesy for Quis, Bobs?”
“Oh, there was only one thing to do for him. I’ve made him a diplomat, with a strong prospect of becoming Secretary of State.”
“Good! And Louise?”
“I had a time deciding about Louise. She’s so versatile, she might turn out to be anything. At first I couldn’t think of one talent that was more conspicuous than the rest, but I struck it at last. I’m not going to tell, though. I want to keep it for a surprise. Say, Jack,”—Bobs had started, but he turned on his heel and came back—“there’s one thing that bothers me. Quis has never felt right toward me, yet. I don’t believe anybody else at Marston has anything against me, but he never looks me in the eye if he can help it. And I care. I want to quit friends.”
“It’s too bad, Bobs,” she sympathised. “Why can’t he let bygones be bygones? I think you had as much to forgive as he, after that ‘Fool-killer’ performance. But don’t worry. You’ve done all you could. Good luck to the prophecy!”
The Assembly room at Marston High School was far from being large enough for the audience which always attended the graduating exercises, and the custom was to rent a neighbouring hall for the June celebration. It was Friday evening, eight o’clock, and every seat in the hall was filled. On the stage, framed by garlands of green stuff and roses, sat the principal, the faculty, the graduating class, and the boys’ and girls’ glee club. Through the open window the soft June breeze crept in, gently stirring fluffy locks and filmy ruffles.