"Open the door. It is one of my dearest friends."
"You must not give a sitting. I won't have it."
The knock was repeated and she hurried away, leaving the boy confused, angry, and helpless.
She returned, accompanied by two women. The first of them was a diminutive, gray-haired lady, with a frank and smiling face, whose dress proclaimed a prosperous and happy station in life. Her companion was a tall young girl, whose spring suit, quiet in color and exquisitely tailored, became her notably. The youth thought, "What a stylish girl!" And the sight of her calmed him instantly.
"Victor," said his mother, and her tone was one of relief, "these are my dearest friends, Mrs. Joyce and Leonora Wood, her niece."
Victor bowed without speaking, for the heart of battle was still in him.
Mrs. Joyce cried out: "What a fine, big fellow! I didn't expect such a stalwart son."
"Please be seated," said Mrs. Ollnee. "My son has just arrived. He saw that dreadful article in the paper and came to defend me."
"That was fine of you," exclaimed Mrs. Joyce to Victor. "That same article brought us. I would have been here before only we don't take the Star, and I did not see the article until about an hour ago."
Mrs. Ollnee took up her explanation. "But, Louise, Victor says he will not go back to college."