“It is not every one who can do that.”
“True, but every one can at least try to excel, and even if one does not, he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has done his best.”
“Are you going to be first in your class at Vassar, Miss Huntress?” Everet Mapleson asked, studying her eager face earnestly.
Gladys flushed again, and laughed.
“I am doing my utmost, Mr. Mapleson, to come forth from my school an honor to my class; and Geoffrey is bending all his energies toward the same object; indeed, I surmise that he is trying to gain a year, by his being so zealous for study during the recesses.”
A startled look shot into Everet Mapleson’s eyes.
If Geoffrey Huntress did gain a year he would graduate at the same time with himself, and the thought was anything but pleasant to him.
“He will have to be very smart to do that,” he said, with a skeptical curve of his lips.
“Geoffrey is smart; he has achieved wonders during the last few years, and I predict for him a brilliant college career. I am very proud of him.”
The beautiful girl’s face glowed, and her eyes gleamed as she said this, while her glance rested more fondly than she was aware, on the manly form that was standing beside his hostess, quietly conversing with her while they watched the dancers.