“Oh, Marjorie, I almost forgot to tell you,” Jerry suddenly cried out. “Something has happened to the Hob-goblin’s Folly.” This was Jerry’s pet name for Leslie’s garage enterprise.
“Happened?” Marjorie’s question contained little interest.
“Yep. There’s a new gang of men at work on the garage. Leila and I noticed them when we went to town. They were gone when we came back, but it was after five-thirty. There were as many as your gang on the dormitory. I think they were Italians. Don’t you, Leila?”
Leila nodded. “They must be a new addition to the Italian quarter,” she surmised. “Signor Baretti said last fall that nearly all the men of the quarter were working on the dormitory. He said they had refused to work for Leslie Cairns’s builders. They would not pay them enough by the day. Perhaps the new ones are glad of the work. But how can I judge when I am no boss of Italians, or of any one but Midget. I shall certainly give her a tart and terrible lecture when I see her again. I left her entertaining Gentleman Gus. Now I believe they have eloped.”
Leila’s dark suspicion of Vera set the three girls laughing. Gussie was the tallest girl at Wayland Hall and Vera the tiniest. The elopement of the pair was a joy to contemplate.
“I haven’t been near the dormitory for three whole days,” Marjorie confessed ruefully. “I’ve been so busy since we came back from Sanford trying to make up for a lot of things I let slide before I went that I’m a no good manager. Robin is coming early tonight, so she’ll know what has been going on over there. We may thank our stars we have such a splendid manager as Mr. Graham to look after the dormitory for us.”
“And such a Marvelous Manager as Bean to look after the sandwiches for us,” supplemented Jerry, imitating Marjorie’s tone.
“I thank my stars they’re made, and made without your help, Jeremiah Macy.” Marjorie waved a finger before Jerry’s face. “There’s Robin now, I’m sure.” She sprang from her chair and ran to the door.
“Were you at the dormitory today?” Her lips framed the question before Robin had more than stepped into the room.
“No-o.” Robin’s tone was one of self-accusation. “It’s neglectful in me, but I’ve not been there since day before yesterday. I must turn over a new leaf tomorrow. What about you, Dean? I know you’ve done better than I.”