It was impossible not to laugh at Azzie. There was such a droll dryness to her humor, a peculiar touch to her way of saying things which made her most ordinary expressions masquerade as wit. At times she lacked tact which caused her companions no little embarrassment. This trait was made evident by her turning to Miss O’Day with the remark:
“And, Nora, are you here? I’m as surprised to see you as I am to be here myself.” Then turning to Elizabeth, she added as an explanation, “The ‘Exclusives’ had no time for Miss O’Day last spring, and I was always too much wrapped up in my music to be good company. So we were not invited to the spreads in the hall. I’m glad, Elizabeth, you broke over and invited us.”
Miss O’Day’s face grew crimson. Elizabeth, too embarrassed to respond, remained silent. Miss Wilson arose to the occasion, changing the subject with the question, “When is Miss Kronenberg going back?”
“Not until Monday,” replied Landis, who was rarely embarrassed. These two, with the assistance of Mame Welch and Carrie Hirsch, diverted the attention from Miss O’Day.
“I do not German lessons take. Fraulein is not my instructor.”
“Well, she is mine,” responded Mary Wilson with a sigh. “As in a dream I hear her say, ‘Fraulein Wilson, you have it unright.’ I’ve taken lessons from her for three years, and that is the only remark she has ever made to me.”
“She will be giving examinations soon,” said Mame. “The Seniors and Middlers finish her work fully a week before the midwinter holiday. It gives us time to cram on something else. It won’t be long now.”
“Last year, indeed for several years, she has asked the class to write in German a description of a walk in the woods, or our Christmas at home, or what our college life has done for us. It is always the same. She lets you choose one of the three, but you must write a certain amount before she will accept it.”
“Landis and I are ready for it,” began Min Kean placidly. “We have ours written ready for her. I took a ‘Walk in the Woods,’ for my subject. I did want to take ‘What Exeter has Done for Me,’ but Landis persuaded me out of it. Of course, she was right about it. No one expects me to write on subjects as deep as Landis. We have ours all finished and ready.”
“Nonsense, Min,” cried her roommate. “One would think to hear you talk that we were expecting to pony through. You know such an idea is the one furthest from our minds. You leave such false impressions.” Then turning to the girls, she explained, “I knew Fraulein Kronenberg was in the habit of asking for such work in the examinations, so I told Min there would be no harm in our practicing at this work. It would be quite the same thing as though we were reviewing our lessons. Of course, we had no intention of handing them in.” Landis always appeared several inches taller when she sought to justify herself.