The Nine Travelers had gathered in her room for a last intimate talk. Tomorrow would be Commencement. Directly after the exercises were over the nine had agreed to meet for a last celebration at Baretti’s. Evening of that day would see them all going their appointed ways.
“I can’t make it seem true that you girls won’t be back here next year,” Marjorie said dolefully, setting down her lemonade glass with a despondent thump, a half-eaten macaroon poised in mid-air.
“Eat your sweet cake child and don’t weep,” consoled Leila. While she was trying hard to look sad, there was a peculiar gleam in her blue eyes. As yet Marjorie had failed to catch it.
“Nothing will seem the same,” grumbled Jerry. “With you four good scouts lifted out of college garden there will be an awful vacancy.” Jerry fixed almost mournful eyes on Helen. “Why couldn’t you girls have entered a year later or else we a year earlier?” she asked retrospectively.
“Cheer up, Jeremiah. The worst is yet to come.” Vera patted Jerry on the back. Standing behind Jerry’s chair she cast an odd glance at Leila. Leila passed it on to Helen, who in turn telegraphed some mute message to Katherine Langly.
“I can’t see it,” Jerry said, her round face unusually sober. “It is hard enough now to have to lose four good pals at one swoop. I sha’n’t feel any worse at the last minute tomorrow than I do tonight. I have an actual case of the blues this evening which even lemonade and cakes won’t dispel.”
“Let us not talk about it,” advised Veronica. “Every time the subject comes up we all grow solemn.”
“I’m worse off than the rest of you,” complained Muriel. “I am torn between two partings. I can’t bear to think of losing good old Moretense.”
“While we are on the subject of partings,” began Leila, ostentatiously clearing her throat, “I regret that I shall have to say something which can but add to your sorrow. I—that is——” She looked at Vera and burst into laughter which carried a distinctly happy note.
“What ails you, Leila Greatheart?” Marjorie focused her attention on the Irish girl’s mirthful face. “I am just beginning to see that something unusual is on foot. The idea of parading mysteries before us at the very last minute of your journey through the country of college!”