It was she who furnished them with the thousand and one little hints on high-school dress and manners which were part of the Sigma Pi education of new members, and, in return, all the Maries, with the exception perhaps of Marion Crandall, whose effusive manner never seemed quite real to Jacquette, gave their Queen the confidence of devoted subjects.
But, of the four, it was Mary Elliott who came closest. After a little, she fell into the habit of bringing her books, day after day, and studying at the “Palace,” as the Queen’s modest home was immediately dubbed, and both Mr. Granville and his daughter found themselves growing very fond of the gentle girl, at first because of the love in her eyes whenever she looked at Jacquette, but soon because of her own dear, quiet little self.
CHAPTER XII
THE REAL QUEEN
THE first weeks of Jacquette’s sophomore year discouraged her. After Louise and Bobs and Marquis had gone, a blank fell into her days. All around her the Sigma Pi good times were going on, but, though she was allowed to share the secrets whenever the girls remembered to tell them to her, she constantly felt herself just outside the circle of fun. She had too much time to study, and, without the excitement that had urged and hurried her all the year before, she dragged through her lessons listlessly. The zest had gone from everything.
It was not long before Mademoiselle’s keen eyes noticed the change, and one day, with a few adroit questions, she learned the facts.
“But is it a secret, dearie—this inactive membership?” she asked, almost before Jacquette realised that she had mentioned it.
“No, not exactly. It’s all right for you to know, Mademoiselle, but of course we don’t care to have the other sororities making capital of it. They’d tell all the new girls there must be something wrong with Sigma Pi, or my people wouldn’t have wanted me to be inactive.”
“I see,” said Mademoiselle with an understanding shake of the head. “At any rate, I’m glad it’s right for me to know, pet, because it makes me happy. Now, about the lessons, did it ever occur to you, honey, that, after a dear little girl has once fallen into the habit of pinning her garments together, it is very hard for her to feel the necessity of sewing on buttons?”
Jacquette looked puzzled.