CHAPTER XXI
COMMENCEMENT DAY
The sun was just peeping over the red-tiled roof of the gym, as Pollyand Lois stole softly out of the house and walked slowly in thedirection of the woods. The day was warm and clear with the wonderfulfreshness of early morning. The ground was covered with millions ofcobwebs and sparkling dewdrops that danced in the sunshine.
"Commencement Day at last," Polly began, speaking in a subdued whisper,for they were still near the school windows.
"It couldn't have been more glorious," replied Lois. "I think I wouldhave died if it had dared to rain."
They walked on a little way in silence, and then Polly said veryseriously:
"It's our last day together. I'm glad you thought of this walk. Weprobably won't have another chance to be alone."
"I know," returned Lois. "Polly, I can't bear to think of this summerwithout you."
"Oh, don't remind me of it!" Polly pleaded. "Think how I'll miss you. Wecan write, of course, but let's cheer up. We mustn't spoil thisbeautiful morning by getting the blues."
They linked arms and continued their walk. The seriousness of their talkhad caused them to halt in the middle of the path.
"Where will we go?" questioned Lois.
"We've time to walk as far as the brook before breakfast," Pollysuggested, "and we can say good-by to all the dear old spots on theway."
The brook was visited, as were all the other places, the crow's-nest,the old wall, the ruin, and the rest of the landmarks that were dear tothe heart of every Seddon Hall girl.
On the whole it was not a very cheerful walk, and when the girlsreturned to school in time to join the line for breakfast, they wererather sad and quiet. It was not long, however, before they caught thegeneral spirit of excitement that prevailed and were as jolly as therest.
"What time do you want us to practice, Louise?" Polly called as shecaught sight of the busy Senior president in the corridor afterbreakfast.
"We are going to leave here for church at ten o'clock sharp. Be readyand wait outside Mrs. Baird's office for us," Louise answered as shehurried past.
Polly and Lois were ready and waiting many minutes before it was time togo, and it seemed hours to them before the Seniors assembled and Mrs.Baird gave the word to start. They walked hurriedly down the steep hillwhich leads to the village and then on to the little old church coveredwith ivy, located at the farthest end of the main street.
"Do let's sit down and rest a minute," said Mrs. Baird, dropping intoone of the last pews and fanning herself with her handkerchief. "It'scertainly a glorious day, but it's a very warm one, too."
Louise insisted that she could direct them sitting down as well asstanding, so the rehearsal began. Polly and Lois were told how to managethe white satin ribbons, and the Seniors practiced the Commencementhymn.
"You see, my dears," Mrs. Baird explained to Polly, "the whole schoolmarches in first, every one taking their place; they are followed by thefaculty and visitors. When they are all seated you and Lois take theribbons, which will be fastened to the last pews, and walk slowly up theaisle. You are followed by the Seniors, and you wait until they havereceived their diplomas and the service is over, then you follow themout, and the rest of the school follows you."
"It's just like a wedding, isn't it?" Lois questioned. "I think Iunderstand."
Mrs. Baird smilingly agreed that it was, and they went through it oncemore to be sure.
"Isn't it solemn?" whispered Polly. "Look out, your ribbon's twisted."
"Thanks; now it's all right," Lois replied. "Doesn't Louise look sweetthis morning?" she inquired as they separated to stand on either side ofthe aisle.
Polly could only nod in reply, which she did vigorously.
The Seniors walked up slowly and took their places, and after a few lastwords from Mrs. Baird, the rehearsal was over.
Louise walked back to school between Polly and Lois.
"I've been wondering," she began as they sauntered along the lazyvillage street, "whether you two would like to come and visit me for awhile this summer. We have a big camp up in the Adirondacks, and I thinkyou would have a good time. How about it?"
"Louise, you duck!" cried Polly and Lois in one breath. "We'd adore it.Oh, what a lark!"
"My small cousin Frances is always with us in the summer, and I'm sureyou'll get along famously together," Louise told them, smiling rathermysteriously, and she added emphatically: "Yes, I'm _sure_ you'll getalong famously."
For the rest of the walk up the dusty hill she described the cabin inthe heart of the woods, the funny guides, and spoke vaguely butfrequently of Frances.
On discussing the invitation a little later after Louise had left them,Polly exclaimed:
"Won't it be a lark? I do hope we can go. Don't you love the idea?"
And Lois answered slowly:
"Yes, all except Frances. I suppose she's a nice enough girl, but I wishshe wasn't going to be there."
"Why, we needn't pay any attention to her," Polly replied. "But let'sfind Bet. We haven't seen her all day."
They started off in search and presently found her playing with Vic (theteam's mascot had been named Victor after the Field Day game, and calledVic for short), on the steps of the gym.
"Hello!" she called, as she caught sight of them. "I've been wonderingwhere you were."
"Why, we've been practicing with the ribbons in church," replied Polly,forgetting that Betty had not heard of them being chosen by the Seniors.
"You! Ribbons!" Betty was overcome with surprise. "Well, you might havetold a fellow. Jove, you are in luck!"
"I entirely forgot you didn't know. Florence and Louise asked us lastnight. Isn't it wonderful? I know I'll laugh, though," confided Lois,"or cry."
"Do both," advised Betty. "I'm going to make a face at you as you godown the aisle. Stop that, Vic, you wicked monkey!" she commanded, asthe mascot made a playful dab at her hair ribbon.
"What's to become of Vic this summer?" demanded Polly. "Somebody has totake care of him."
"He's ours; we found him," Betty declared. "Poor old Vic. What do yousay about it?" she added, scratching the monkey's ear.
As they stood discussing his future, Vic noticed a familiar figurecoming down the stable road. It was Tony, one of the Seddon Hallgardeners, and a special friend of his. He had taken care of him eversince Field Day.
As if to answer their question for them, the little monkey jumped fromBetty's lap, ran swiftly along the ground, and bounded to Tony'sshoulder.
"The problem is solved," laughed Betty. "Tony will take care of him.Tony," she called, and the Italian came up to the steps, smilingsheepishly.
Of course he was delighted at the idea of having Vic to himself allsummer, and promised to take the very best of care of him.
"You leave me your address," he said, "and I write sometime how he is."
So it was arranged. The three girls said good-by to their mascot, whowas borne away on Tony's shoulder.
The rest of the day whizzed by on wings of excitement. Every one waseverywhere at once. Visitors arrived in carriage loads. Those who werealready there wandered through the halls trying to find the particulargirl they wanted, and time was flying.
Uncle Roddy met Dr. and Mrs. Farwell in New York and brought them up inhis car. They were all standing in the reception-room talking to Mrs.Baird, as Polly and Lois came down the stairs.
"Why, there's your uncle, Polly, and he's with mother and dad,"exclaimed Lois, catching sight of the three in the doorway.
They were soon exchanging greetings, and Polly had time to wonder whyBob hadn't come.
"We simply must leave you," Lois said, after they had talked for a fewminutes. "We are awfully busy. You know, we are to carry the ribbons forthe Seniors, and we have to be in church ahead of the rest."
"We'll meet you right after the service," called Polly, as they bothdisappeared down the corridor.
"Well, that was short and sweet," laughed Uncle Roddy, looking afterthem. "The
y're not overgenerous with their society, are they?"
"What a darling Polly is!" Mrs. Farwell returned. "And you say she hasno other relatives besides you."
"Not one. Isn't that a dreadful responsibility for a bachelor?" UncleRoddy replied.
"Perhaps I can help you," Mrs. Farwell said. "I would love to have herwith Lois as much as possible."
The bell for the guests to go to church interrupted their conversation,and they went outside to find the motor.
The Commencement exercises were a great success. The Seniors all lookedbeautiful and made their relatives and friends very proud of them. Pollyand Lois managed the Ribbons without any trouble and added greatly tothe dignity of the scene.
Once during the chaplain's short address they caught Betty's eye just ashe said "certainly not," and they almost laughed. It was a terriblemoment, but the loud "amen" that soon followed saved the day and gavethem a chance to snicker without being noticed.
"I'll kill Bet for that," whispered Polly, as they walked sedately downthe aisle after the Seniors at the close of the service.
But the excitement of leaving made her forget her threat, when fifteenminutes later she and Lois and Betty met in the latter's room.
"There, I think I've packed everything," sighed Betty. "Jemima, how Ihate to leave!"
"'When shall we three meet again?'" quoted Lois. "Sometime this summer,I hope."
"It would be a lark if we could be together some of the time, wouldn'tit?" mused Polly. "Perhaps we can. Who knows?"
"I am going down, now," announced Betty. "I want to say hello to Mr.Pendleton. If I don't see you two again, why good-by and don't forget towrite." And she was gone. Not for worlds would she have displayed theemotion she felt.
Polly and Lois stole down to Senior Alley for a last good-by to Louiseand dragged her down to meet their families. Then after much kissing,giving of addresses, shouted last messages and promises to come back,they finally found themselves in Uncle Roddy's motor.
They were both silent for a few minutes and their eyes were misty asthey watched the towers of Seddon Hall grow fainter and fainter, untilthey entirely disappeared.
"We'll have to say good-by to each other next," whispered Lois.
"Don't!" answered Polly, with just a little catch in her voice. "I can'tbear to think of it, Lo."
Then it was that they realized that Uncle Roddy was talking.
"So," he was saying, "if Mrs. Farwell will be contented in that sleepyold town, there's the big house at her service and the children will betogether."
"Of course I'll be contented. It will be a wonderful summer," answeredMrs. Farwell.
"Capital!" spoke up the Doctor. "Roddy and I can come up for the weekends and have some fishing."
The two girls looked at each other in astonishment.
"We will be together after all," exclaimed Polly excitedly.
"But where?" Lois demanded.
"At my old home," Polly explained. "Just to think I'll see my preciousdogs again!"
They parted hours later, after a very happy drive spent in discussingplans for the summer. It was parting, of course, but as Lois remindedevery one delightedly: "It was only until next week."
That night Uncle Roddy noticed that Polly was looking very thoughtful asshe sat on the arm of his chair.
"What's the matter, Tiddle-dy-winks?" he inquired, pulling her down onhis knee and patting her shoulder. "What are you thinking about?"
"I'm thinking," replied Polly slowly, "how sorry I am it's all over.It's been the happiest year of my life."
"But that's only so far," laughed Uncle Roddy. "You've still a number ofyears to come, I hope."
"But can they ever be as happy as this one?" Polly asked.
"If I have anything to say about it, each year will be happier than thelast, dear child, and now, good night." And Uncle Roddy gave her ahearty kiss.
So Polly, with Uncle Roddy's promise still ringing in her ears, fellasleep at the close of that eventful year, not thinking regretfully ofthe past, but dreaming happily of the joys to come.
THE END