“Can you act?” asked Polly abruptly.
“Why, yes, after a fashion,” responded Clarissa.
“Well, then, do give your name to Miss Witherspoon. It isn’t the easiest thing in the world to find girls willing to do their part. But there! you must have heard the invitation given at the first meeting.”
“I heard it without taking it to myself. I’m not the person of talent for whom the Idler is looking.”
Whatever her other faults, Clarissa could not be accused of vanity.
VII
ALL KINDS OF GIRLS
Among the girls in her Latin course one had a particular charm for Julia. She was tall, slight, and graceful, with waving brown hair. Lois lived in Newton, and often for exercise she walked at least as far as Watertown after lectures. Sometimes Julia walked with her; and although Lois was not too confidential, Julia had gradually learned many things about her. She knew that Lois made her own clothes, and that home duties prevented her spending much time in Fay House frivolities.
So far as she could, Lois had elected studies that would count toward her proposed medical course. She was bright and cheerful, and always ready to help others.
“She is certainly very clever,” Ruth had said appreciatively one day after Lois had given her a suggestion as to the proper translation of a very difficult passage. Julia was glad that Ruth liked Lois so well, for she had not smiled on her friendship with Clarissa and Pamela.
Polly Porson liked Lois, too, although she was in the habit of saying that her energy tired her.