“What are you going to do this summer?”
“We have just been talking about it a little. Miss West is going to a summer camp in Maine and spoke to Betty and me the other day, saying that she wished she could have some of us with her. Then tonight some of the other girls were talking about it. We have been so rushed with work that we have left all other plans to the last minute as usual.”
“I am sorry that you will not be in New York, for I expect to be there, reading law, of course.”
“But I shall be there for a little while before going, if it is decided that I may go, and in the fall again before school opens.”
“Let me take down your address, then,” and Captain Van Horne took out his note book and pencil.
How quickly those last days of the year vanished into the past. There were the final examinations for which to study, reviewing the different subjects, and preparations for the Commencement program must be made. The climax would be reached in the class day exercises and the Commencement proper, with its diplomas won by much endeavor.
Hilary’s class prophecy, over which she had sighed or laughed, was published in the last number of the Greycliff Star, which appeared on the horizon of Commencement morning. Lilian’s poem and Jane Mills’ short story, which had won Van Buskirk prizes were also published, with the list of the girls who won prizes in any line. They had been announced at the chapel exercises of the day preceding Commencement, and great was Cathalina’s delight when Aunt Katherine Knickerbocker appeared in time to see her receive hers, for excellence in French. Hilary won the first prize of fifty dollars for the highest average in general scholarship, and Betty received honors in drawing and designing. There was not the sadness of parting among the academy girls which often shadows the last days. The older collegiate girls were deploring their separation, so soon to occur, but many of the academy seniors were so in love with Greycliff Girls’ School that they longed to take their first two years of college work under her kindly auspices. For them Greycliff life would go on.
How Cathalina enjoyed taking Aunt Katherine all over the place, introducing the girls to her, and visiting with her and Miss Randolph, who was as delighted as Cathalina, and had many things to say to her old friend, chief of which was of her satisfaction with Cathalina and her work. The girls were much impressed with Aunt Katherine, her dainty apparel, her beautiful speech and her kind friendliness. She had brought to Hilary from New York an especially handsome bracelet, as a Commencement present and in recognition, as she said, of the inspiration that Hilary had been to Cathalina. To the other girls of the suite she gave suitable presents as well, and the room was strewn with the pretty things that arrived from parents and friends. Cathalina and the others took Aunt Katherine to the library to show her the alcove which held the books given to the school by Mr. Van Buskirk, and down to the society hall to see the new piano, from the same generous source.
“We made the money or gave it ourselves, for the furniture, Aunt Katherine,” said Cathalina. “Just think! I had that fifty dollars, that the jeweler paid me, to give.”
Aunt Katherine, who had one arm around her favorite niece and the other around Betty, gave that favorite niece a little squeeze. “Smart child,” she said. “I’ll see if Uncle Morris can’t spare a picture or two from his collection, next year. Do you need anything else?”