“Don’t cry. Buck up, and get up,” advised Leslie tersely. “Have a chair, then go ahead and spill your troubles.” She already had a shrewd idea of the nature of Jewel Marie Ogden’s business with her.
She waited until the downcast freshman had risen from the floor, to slump dejectedly into the depths of a broad-armed wicker chair, then she seated herself in a chair directly opposite that of the other girl.
“Now, go ahead,” she directed cheerfully. “I’m listening.”
“I can’t find a room, or even half a room, on the campus,” burst out little Miss Ogden. “Miss Remson told me to go tomorrow to see the managers of the other campus houses, but I went tonight. I couldn’t bear to wait till tomorrow. I was afraid I might miss the chance of getting a room. It was no use.” She shook a disconsolate head. “None of them had a single vacancy. I don’t want to leave—Hamilton—I—want—to—” she faltered, her red lips again beginning to quiver.
“Why don’t you try one of the boarding houses off the campus?” Leslie had decided that there was no use in reminding the downcast freshman that she alone was responsible for her present disappointment. “I know of two that are up to the campus houses in excellence. The dormitory has even better accommodations than the campus houses, but I’ll say it is probably full to overflowing.”
“No, no,” came the positive answer, “I must be on the campus, or else go away from here. I hate the very thought of a dormitory. Nothing—I mean, not for me,” the little girl hastily objected.
Leslie noted the hasty emendation with a slight smile. She suspected that slang came far easier to Miss Ogden than the “side” she had put on at the station.
“I have a reason, a very strong reason, for wishing to live on the campus,” Miss Ogden began again eagerly, “I can’t bear to give up hope. I came to your room to ask you if you think there’d be any chance for me with the senior you told me about. Is she surely going to take a roommate?”
“Yes I know positively, because she is my pal.”
“Then why don’t you and she room together?” The freshman’s face brightened. “If you should, then maybe the other girl and I could—”