Grace was not deceived. She knew that Evelyn was not the kind of girl to cry hysterically over a slight illness. Still she could not force this perverse young woman to tell that which she did not choose to tell.
"I am sorry you won't let me help you. Are you sure that I can't be of service to you."
"You." Evelyn laughed shortly. "No; I am quite sure that you can't be."
"Very well." Grace was about to leave the room.
"Wait a minute!" Evelyn's voice rang out sharply. "I—I—will tell you my trouble, Miss Harlowe. It's about—my college fees. I paid part of the money when I came here. My—my—sister has been very ill and can't send the rest of the money. She made a special arrangement with the registrar to make the other payment in November. I've received two notices. I don't know what to do. I can't bear to leave Overton."
"Why didn't you come to me before?" asked Grace with gentle reproach. "I can help you in this matter through the Semper Fidelis fund."
Grace went on to explain the purpose of the Semper Fidelis Club. "We lend the students the money rather than give it to them, because they like to feel that they are proceeding on a strictly business basis. It takes away the slightest idea of charity and makes the girls quite responsible for themselves."
"I see," murmured Evelyn. "But suppose I borrowed the money and then found that I couldn't return it for ever so long?"
"There is neither time limit set nor interest charged on any reasonable sum of money a girl may wish to borrow," returned Grace. "We have the utmost confidence in our borrowers. The very fact that they come to us for help is an avowal of their honesty. How much money do you wish to borrow, Miss Ward?"
Evelyn rather hesitatingly named a sum considerably in excess of that needed for her college fees. "It—will—pay my expenses for the year and leave me a little besides for emergencies," she explained apologetically. "Then poor Ida can get well and won't have to worry. I am sure I can work at something this summer and pay at least part of the money back to the club."