A brief lull in the conversation followed laughter. Marjorie broke it. She said with sudden irrelevance: “I’m not curious to know Miss Susanna’s grievance against the Board. I only wish it could be adjusted. It doesn’t seem right that Mr. Brooke Hamilton, who gave his time and heart and soul and spirit to such a noble enterprise, should remain a mystery. Miss Susanna feels so about it at times. She has said so to me. But there are more times when she doesn’t; when she thinks only of her own grievance,” Marjorie ended ruefully.
“That’s the most I ever heard you say on such a ticklish subject, Beauty.” Seated beside her in the tonneau, Leila laid a light hand over one of Marjorie’s.
“I don’t know whether it is the most I’ll ever say, or not,” Marjorie responded. “I’d rather not say it to Miss Susanna, but I would if I felt that I should,” she continued with honest conviction.
Kathie, occupying one of the small seats of the tonneau, now leaned forward. “Professor Wenderblatt told me the other day that there had been several changes made in Board members since Miss Susanna’s disagreement with them. I wonder if she knows it?” she said speculatively. “If she doesn’t, and were to be told of it, perhaps it might make a difference in her attitude.”
“I’ve never mentioned the Board to her. She has always spoken of it first to me, and then not often. I’m sure it would displease her if I were to speak of it first to her. It’s too hard a matter for me to decide just now. She’s been generous to Hamilton through us in the way Mr. Brooke would have been. I couldn’t bear to displease her. It would seem so ungrateful. On the other hand, there’s our Alma Mater. We children should stand bravely for her welfare,” Marjorie reasoned loyally.
“I believe it will all work out for the best.” Katherine was steadily hopeful of tone. “I think what Epictetus said about such conditions is consoling. He said: ‘Do not choose to have all things happen as you would have them happen, but rather choose to have them happen as they will. Then shall the current of your life flow free.’”
“Thank you, Kathie.” Marjorie’s half pensive features brightened wonderfully. “That’s an inspiring quotation, and I shall learn it this instant so as to have it handy to cheer me when I need to be ‘chirked’ up, as Delia our maid says. Please repeat it, and slowly.”
Katherine obligingly repeated the quotation several times. Marjorie repeated it softly after her. Leila was so busy leaning forward, talking in Robin’s ear she did not hear it.
“All passengers kindly get out of this car and walk. Step lively.” Vera’s voice, raised to a mild shout, broke in upon the bit of memorizing the two were earnestly engaging in. She had brought the roadster to a stop before the main gates of the campus and was now cheerfully inviting her companions to vacate it.
“A nice way to take us out to ride,” Leila grumbled. “Are we not good enough to be carried to our own doorstep? What a treacherous disposition you have, Midget. Now I have found you out, and in time. I thank my stars.” Leila left the car in her most leisurely manner.