CHAPTER XX

“I am going to remind you of that tomorrow evening,” Dick said quietly. “I am confident now that Miss Sutherland will come off victorious.”

Dolly was glad that a bevy of girls surrounded them just then, demanding all the latest information with regard to the contests on tomorrow. She slipped away from her companion soon, and managed to hold him at a distance until the next afternoon, when the great events came off. The best places for seeing had been reserved for the seniors and their friends, so when Dolly took her place by her mother, it was not at all strange that Dick Martin should be seated on the other side of her.

On the opposite benches were the friends of the other competitors, and college flags and college cries were much in evidence. Cornell and Vassar seemed particularly confident, and as Dolly heard their shouts and noticed their jubilant flags, she grew despondent.

Beth was sitting just back of her. “Don’t give up before we fairly commence, Dolly. We have just as much right to shout as they have. Mary did magnificently this morning.”

“And don’t forget that you are to take a walk with me this evening, and I’ll tell you then what I want you to do for me.” That was Dick Martin.

“Oh, don’t you know that tonight we give a supper to the visitors from the other colleges? I can’t go with you possibly.”

“I mean to have my walk either before or after; you shall not snub me in that fashion.”

But Dolly pretended not to hear. Her eyes were on the smooth stretch of road in front of her. They were jumping, yes–Mary was not as good at that as she was at running.

Dolly slipped her hand into her mother’s.