* * * * * * * *
The interview that Robert Widdemere had with his mother on his return from the Barrington home was not a pleasant one for either of them but in the end Robert had said firmly but gently, “I feel sure that my father would approve of my friendship with Nan and, moreover, next summer I will be 21 and I shall consider myself old enough then to choose my own companions. My dad must have expected me to possess good judgment in some degree or his request would not have been that I assume the reins of his business on my 21st birthday.” Then, going to the indignant woman, he put his arm about her as he said lovingly, “Mother, dear, I want you to tell me that you are willing that I may be Nan Barrington’s friend.”
“It is a great disappointment,” Mrs. Widdemere said, “but, since you are soon to be financially independent of me, I suppose that I might as well give my consent. However, do not expect me to receive that gypsy girl into my home as an equal, for I shall not.”
* * * * * * * *
The next morning Phyllis and her cousin Robert visited the Barrington home and an hour later the lad accompanied the girls to the station where they were to take the train for Pine Crest.
Robert had told Nan that he had won his mother’s consent to their friendship but he did not tell how reluctantly that consent had been given.
The next day the lad returned to the Military Academy where in another month he would complete his training, but each week he and Nan exchanged letters telling of the simple though pleasant experiences of their school life.
Nan and Phyllis were to graduate in June and they were happily busy from dawn till dark. It had been the custom for many years at the Pine Crest Seminary for the pupils to make their own graduating dresses by hand. These were to be of dainty white organdie and the two girls, with their classmates, spent many pleasant hours sewing in one room and another. Tongues flew as fast as the needles while each young seamstress told what she hoped the summer and even the future would hold for her.
Nan was often thoughtfully silent these last days of school.
One twilight Phyllis found her standing alone at their open window watching the early stars come out.