Grace could have remarked with truth that certain ghosts had not been laid as effectually as she desired, but wisely keeping her own counsel she was about to essay a change of subject when the return of Elfreda with the lemonade served her purpose.
"'How can I bear to leave thee?'" quoted Mabel sentimentally, as she and Frances reluctantly rose to go half an hour later. "I hope you feel properly flattered. Graduates' attentions are at a premium this week. They ought to be, too, when one stops to think that it takes four years to reach that dizzy height of popularity. Four long years of slavish toil, my children. Observe my careworn air, my rapidly graying locks, my deeply-lined countenance."
"Yes, observe them," grinned Elfreda. "You look younger than Anne, and she looks like a mere chee—ild. Don't forget that you are going to send us pictures of you in your cap and gown, will you?" she added, looking affectionately at the two pretty seniors, whose help and kindly interest had meant much to her individually.
"We will see you to the door," laughed Grace, slipping her arm through Mabel's.
"Did you ever find the girl?" asked Mabel in a low tone. "You know the one I mean. I have often wondered about her."
"Yes," replied Grace in the same guarded tones. "I can't tell even you her name, but everything has been explained."
Mabel pressed Grace's arm in silent understanding. "Good-bye," she said, "we shall see you again before we leave Overton."
"You had better come into our room and finish the lemonade," declared Miriam, as they watched their guests go down the walk.
"But I haven't begun my packing yet, and I have so many things to do and so many girls to see that I ought not waste a minute."
"Time spent with us is never wasted," reminded Elfreda significantly.