It was perhaps as well for Virginia that she had had this opportunity to adapt herself to the new surroundings before any girl was placed with her. Perhaps Miss Randolph had thought of this. Virginia was much concerned in fitting herself properly into the Greycliff environment and manners. Quick to observe, she avoided making what she considered fatal mistakes in table etiquette and other matters, taking one of the girls, Lilian, in fact, as her model in deportment. Having obtained clothes which were inconspicuous because suitable, she felt more at ease, and devoted herself chiefly to her lessons in those first weeks. She would have been lonely if it had not been for Isabel and Avalon, but they dropped into her room at all hours and kept her feeling that she had companionship.
Remembering how much kindness had meant to her upon her arrival, she decided beforehand to be responsive and helpful to her roommate, whether she really liked her or not, but it was a real relief when Alma brought up a pleasant, attractive girl, of about her own age, and introduced her as Olivia Holmes from New Orleans. Alma promptly disappeared, leaving it to Virginia to do the honors. But it was easy to entertain Olivia. In less than ten minutes the two girls were talking as if they had known each other for years, and Virginia was helping Olivia put away her clothes in one of the two closets with which the room was supplied. The janitor had seen to the delivery of the trunk at once.
“I saved these drawers for you,” said Virginia. “If you would prefer any of those that I have my clothes in, just say so and it will be easy enough to change.”
“Mercy, no; why take any more trouble than necessary?” replied easy-going Olivia. “This is a nice big closet. See my new fur coat? I’m simply delighted to be up north where I shall see snow.”
“Haven’t you ever seen it?” asked the amazed Virginia.
“No, I’ve never been north before. Father and Mother have gone out to California to visit my sister and the new baby and will probably stay there all winter. My sister isn’t very strong and Mother has been crazy to get there. I had to be sent to school somewhere, so I begged to be sent here. I heard of it through one of the girls at home, and sent for a catalogue. Do you like it?”
“O, yes! You haven’t made any mistake in choosing your school, unless it’s too cold for you!”
Olivia laughed and tossed her head. “No danger of that, I reckon; I could hardly wait, though, till I got my fur coat. Mother said I had all the things I’d ever need for a trip to Alaska! I’m sure I’ll not be homesick, because the folks are away from home anyway.”
“You will miss them, won’t you?”
“Yes, indeed; but they were abroad for a year once and left me with my aunt. We travel a good deal in our family.”