“It is a very good thing that such events as this come only once in a lifetime. I am too excitable to stand the strain equably like Constance.”
“Once in a lifetime is quite enough, I’ll agree,” said Mrs. Alden, looking rather anxiously at Dolly’s flushed cheeks. “I shall be glad to have you safely at home, where I can keep you quiet and have you rest.”
“Yes, Mother,” said Dolly, not really hearing a word of what Mrs. Alden was saying. “Oh, look! Wasn’t that splendid of Mary? Do cheer her, Mr. Martin. Louder! Louder yet! Mary has gone farther than any of them, but I am afraid of Miss Smith of Vassar. That is she now! Oh!” A despairing note in her tone as Miss Smith made a better record than Mary had done. “How dreadful! But Mary has won us a second at least, and that is really more than I dared hope.”
“Cheer up, then. There are two more chances for you.”
“We do not stand the slightest chance in the boat race, and I am afraid that Mary cannot do any better in the running. Still I am grateful for what she has won for us. We shall not be disgraced, at least.”
“Now watch!” as the runners lined up in position. “I have a presentiment that you will feel jubilant when this race is over.”
And it became evident, almost from the first second, that Westover would win. Mary’s pride was fully roused. She knew how anxious her class was to come off victorious in one of the contests at least, and she did her very best, but her best was needed, for Cornell was very close behind her.
The cheering and yelling were almost deafening. Really, Mr. Alden said, it was quite as bad as one of the Harvard football games. He didn’t see to what the girls’ colleges were coming, if this sort of thing continued.
But Dolly and Beth, to whom his words were addressed, heard not a syllable of his raillery. They were too intent on waving their flags and cheering Mary. Westover had covered herself with glory, and Dolly could go home tomorrow with not a wish ungratified.
Fred hurried up to his people. “Mary saved the day for you, didn’t she? She is having a regular ovation down by the Oaks. Shall I take you to her, Dolly?”