“Yes, I could,” and Dolly sobered down. “The athletic contests come tomorrow, the very last thing on our program. We could not get them in before, and perhaps it is just as well, for I do not expect that we shall win any glory.”
“I thought Fred said that Miss Sutherland was to save the day for you?”
“She is our only hope; the rest of the girls do not amount to anything. But Vassar and Smith, to say nothing of Cornell and Wellesley and Mount Holyoke, have been boasting so securely since they arrived that our hopes are now below zero.”
“You are anxious to win?”
“Very. Westover has been out of all athletic contests for so long that we want to get our place again, and if our own particular class could achieve that, we should feel that we had nothing more to ask.”
“I should say you wouldn’t have, for your class is leaving a great record here, that is sure. I have faith in your friend. I believe that she will help you out, despite all the boasting of the others.”
“I hope you are right. I do hope it. I shall be so glad, so glad–”
“So glad, that you will grant all sorts of favors?” her companion asked, as they sauntered slowly over the lawn. Fred had disappeared in search of Mary.
“Yes, quite glad enough to do anything for anyone,” asserted Dolly recklessly. A moment later she caught her breath, and wished she had not said just that.