“I am surprised that Miss Warner does secretarial work when that Miss Lynne she rooms with is wealthy in her own right,” commented Natalie.
“I suppose that green-eyed ice-berg wants to earn her own money. I made a mistake about Lynne. Her father is the richest man in the far west. My father told me so last summer. I always meant to tell you that and kept on forgetting it. He said then I ought to be friends with her, but I told him ‘nay, nay.’ She and I would be so pleased with each other.” Leslie smiled ironically.
“‘The richest man in the far west,’” repeated Natalie, her mind on that one enlightening sentence. “Too bad she isn’t our sort. We could ask her into the Sans in Dulcie’s place.”
“She wouldn’t leave Bean and Green-eyes and those two savages, Harding and Macy. I sometimes admire those two. They have so much nerve. Dulcie’s place will stay vacant. I wouldn’t ask Lola to join us after the way she has dropped me for Alida. As for Bess; she has yet to hear from me. I have an idea she and Dulc will get together. Dulc will tell her the news. Then Bess will sidle around me thinking she can get into the Sans. What? Watch my speed!” The corners of Leslie’s mouth went down contemptuously. She was a match for the self-seeking sophomore.
The next evening being that of the revue, Leslie and Natalie attended it together. The rest of the Sans had elected also to go to it. Leslie had advised against going in a body. “If we do, they’ll think we were anxious to see their old show,” she had argued. “We’d better scatter by twos and threes about the gym.”
By a quarter to eight the gymnasium was packed with students, faculty, and a goodly sprinkle of persons from the town of Hamilton who had friends among the students. Robin and Marjorie had worried for fear the programme might be too long. There would be sure to be encores. Their choice of talent, however, was so happy that the audience could not get enough of the various performers.
Marjorie was keyed up to the highest pitch of joy by the presence of Constance Stevens and Harriet Delaney. They had arrived from New York late that afternoon on purpose to take part in the show. While the wonder of Constance’s matchless high soprano notes in two grand opera selections awarded her a fury of applause, Harriet came in for her share of glory. It may be said that Constance and Veronica divided honors that evening.
Urged by Marjorie, Ronny had sent to Sanford for the black robe she used in the “Dance of the Night.” It had been in her room in Miss Archer’s house since the evening of the campfire three years before. Besides the “Dance of the Night” she gave a fine exhibition of Russian folk dancing in appropriate costume.
Marjorie had felt impelled to write Miss Susanna a special note of invitation inclosing several tickets. “Jonas or the maids might like our show, even if Miss Susanna won’t come. Of course she won’t, but I wanted her to have the tickets,” she had said to Jerry, who had agreed that her head was level and her heart in the right place as usual.
For the first time since the beginning of her hatred for Hamilton College, Miss Susanna had been sorely tempted to break her vow and attend the show. Realizing the sensation her presence on the campus would create, she quickly abandoned the impulse. She was half vexed with Marjorie for sending her tickets and made note to warn her never to send any more.