She did this so successfully, that, even after Marion's thought to invite her to the meeting had taken decided shape, it was difficult to find the opportunity. Having gotten the idea, however, she was persistent in it; and at last, during recess, on the very day of the meeting, she came across her in the library, looking aimlessly over the rows of books.
"In search of wisdom, or recreation?" Marion asked, stopping beside her, and speaking with the familiarity of former days.
"In search of some tiresome references for my class in philosophy. Some of the scholars are provokingly in earnest in the study, and will not be satisfied with the platitudes of the text-book."
"That is a refreshing departure from the ordinary state of things, isn't it?" Marion asked, laughing at the way in which the progress of her pupils was put. Then, without waiting for an answer, and already feeling her resolution beginning to cool, she plunged into the subject that interested her. "I have been in search of you all the morning."
"That's surprising," Miss Banks said, coolly. "Couldn't I be found? I have been no further away than my school-room?"
"Well, I mean looking for you at a time when you were not engaged, or perhaps looking forward to seeing you at such a time, would be a more proper way of putting it," said Marion, trying to smile, and yet feeling a trifle annoyed.
"One is apt to be somewhat engaged in a school-room during school-hours, especially if one is a teacher."
They were not getting on at all. Marion decided to speak without trying to bring herself gracefully to the point.
"I want to ask a favor of you. Will you go to meeting with me to-night?"
"To meeting," Miss Banks repeated, without turning from the book-case. "What meeting is there to-night?"