“But suppose some of them saw us together?”
“That’s all right. If they don’t know how you met him, it will give them something to think about.”
That evening Patricia was keenly aware of curious eyes fixed upon her as she stood in front of Arnold Hall talking to Jack Dunn. He had stepped up to her just as she was following Jane and Anne to the post office after dinner. The girls obligingly hurried on and left the two together, but Patricia’s cheeks were red with the knowledge that they were talking about her as they went back to the dorm.
“I was wondering if you’d go to see Arliss with me,” began Jack. “He’s on at the Plaza, and we’d be just in time for the early performance.”
“I should like to see it,” replied Patricia slowly; “but—yes, I’ll go. I’m pretty sure Jane will sign the Black Book for me if I don’t go in.”
“The Black Book?” repeated Jack in puzzled tones.
As they started downtown, Patricia told him all about the Arnold Hall customs and rules, and answered his questions regarding the identity of several of the Alley Gang.
“You see,” he said, “I don’t know many of the girls here; for I came only this year, transferred from Floynton University—”
“And I from Brentwood,” interrupted Patricia. “Isn’t that funny?”
“We ought to be friends, then, both strangers in a strange land. Shall we?”