“I really wasn’t asleep, but who-all sent me this? And why?”
“Why? Say, Glo, Mary tried to pawn her best ring to Janet for her share in the chipping. Mary always does use up her allowance in advance, but she was heartbroken not to have any real cash on hand. I mention it to show the spirit. Glo, we’ll never one of us have a chance after this.” Pat dug her sport shoes into the rug. “And to think I didn’t even have sense enough to dip in, get wet and pretend I was for the rescue! Well, anyways, as Tillie, the milk girl says, there’s the token of our esteem, and we all hope it won’t make you sick. Maud Hunter selected it and she is supposed to know what’s what in candy, because her dad gambles in sugar or eggs or something sweetish.”
Pat had ostentatiously placed the beautiful box in Gloria’s outstretched hands and was salaaming absurdly.
Trixy beamed. “It was lovely of the girls——”
“And that little Ethel proposed it, she was so tickled to have helped rub your toes, Glo, or did she hold the soap? Anyways, she’s so grateful to have had a hand in adjusting your precious person. And say, girls, how’s Jack?”
“Sleeping, last we heard, and doing all right, we hope,” replied Trixy. Gloria was fondling the gift appreciatively.
“She’s a lucky stude. I thought it was all over, and I’ll never forget her face. Honest.” The tone was not now frivolous. “But say, Gloriosa, how goes the essay? I hear you’re out to win?”
Even with the opportunity of banter made by Pat herself, Gloria couldn’t find words to say “Run along! I’ve got to work to-night,” instead she faltered:
“I’m afraid I’ve got an awful lot to do yet. And tomorrow may be a broken day.”
“The girls working in the contest are to have a free day for it, didn’t you know?”