“O, wouldn’t it!” exclaimed Isabel. “I believe I could get my father to let me go, I’m going to write to him about it!”
“Just think,” said Pauline, “Commencement is only a week off!”
“I can’t believe it,” said Cathalina, “all the hard work nearly over and I’m going to be graduated with the rest of you at the academy exercises! I wish my family could come, but they can’t. However, I’m hoping for Aunt Katherine. She is the one who thought first about my coming here, bless her heart! Have you finished your class prophecy, Hilary?”
“Not yet,—but come, it is time we were downstairs. Perhaps some of those ‘youths of culture and valor’ are our callers.”
With much fluttering and floating of light dresses of various hues, the girls, like so many bright butterflies, descended the stairs and went to the parlor designated for them.
Acquaintances prospered at the lawn fete, for groups of laughing, chatting young people mingled, sipped their lemonade together and passed around boxes of home-made candy, and as they ate ice cream together, they planned all sorts of happy gatherings for next year, provided the faculty approved.
“Are you returning next year, Miss Van Buskirk?” asked Captain Van Horne.
“O, yes; I expect to finish the two collegiate years here, and then, perhaps, go to some eastern college for two years more. Will you be back next year?”
“It is a little uncertain, but I think so. And if I am, may I engage you ahead for the next lawn fete?”
Cathalina laughed. “That is a long time ahead, but I shall be ‘most happy.’” As the future had it, there would not be any lawn fete next year, but neither of them knew that now.