“I’d just love to accept, Trix. Everybody seems to be going some place, although we are only to have a week-end. Jane may adopt Jack or Jack adopt Jane, the way things look now. I never guessed I was putting my own poor nose out of joint when I lent Jane out. I didn’t tell you, Trix, I’m just doing it now. Miss Alton has written an elaborate letter to my dad, saying a lot of foolish things about me. You see, she wants to make amends for my lost essay prize. Not that I had really caught the gay plunder——”
“I’m glad she wrote. It saves me a heap of trouble,” put in Trixy. “It’s one thing to lose out fair and square, but quite another to be blocked. You wait and see if Alty and Ray Sanders do not contrive to run a little contest all their own. Then, you may drag out those poor crumpled little sheets of paper that are smothering under the table cover.”
“I won’t. I never want to hear of a contest again. Besides, just see what a lot of fun we have had on the mystery story,” reasoned Gloria.
“I just wonder——” Trixy said seriously, “where Mary Mears will go for Thanksgiving. She’s so alone——”
“Mary’s a queer duck,” interrupted Gloria. “I’m sure she’s trying to avoid me for some reason. Every time I almost meet her she detours.”
“Can any one have hurt her feelings? She actually walked past me in the lecture room this morning without lifting her eyes. Of course, she saw me; I wonder——”
“And she hasn’t been near Jack since that first wild night. Do you know, Trix, even Sam remarks upon her moods! He declared she has something on her mind, which is worse than it sounds, from Sam.”
“Yes, she is plainly discontented. Yet most girls are, during the first half year. That’s why all the queer things happen in that brief period,” said Trixy, trying the wrong side of the couch cover for a change and getting enough of the change in the actual process. “Yes, Glo dear, we may be prepared for a real slump—after Thanksgiving. I’m told the girls all settle down to the quiet life and depend upon hikes and the gym for excitement.”
“I won’t mind,” replied Gloria. “The little mystery trunk and the hoodooed necklace are quite enough for my first year. I hope it is finally cleared up before the so-called holiday.”
“It will be. Didn’t you know Jack really does expect a visit from Steppy?”