CHAPTER XV
A HARVARD TEA
Stillness reigned in the study hall: stillness save for the occasionalrattle of a book, or the falling of a pen or pencil from carelessfingers. The large clock at the back of the room ticked regularly, andits hands pointed to a quarter past one.
At the desk Fraulein Herrmann sat, her watchful eyes roaming over theassemblage in search of idleness or disorder. Only a moment before herstentorian tones had rung forth, much to the annoyance of two girls whocame under her supervision.
"Emma-_line_ and Jassa-_mine_ Brown may report at the desk at the end ofthe period."
Emmalyn and Jassamine Brown, twins, were as much the bane of Fraulein'slife as were Mary Boyd and Peggy Austin. Fraulein was not stupid. Shehad learned that to call forth these names, distorting them with almostunrecognizable inflection, brought its own punishment.
Emmalyn slammed down a book on her desk, her face flushed withmortification. She whispered something to her sister.
"You may say what you have to say to the room, Miss Emma-_line_,"Fraulein invited.
Emmalyn paid not the slightest heed.
"Miss Brown! Answer when I speak! Why do you not answer?"
"I didn't know you were addressing me. My name is not Emma-_line_!" Shedrew out the "line" with provoking mimicry.
Fraulein reddened; but she held her peace. She had encountered EmmalynBrown before. Sometimes disastrously.
At her desk Blue Bonnet worked busily, glancing often at the clock. Shewas writing a theme, and writing against time. At one-forty-five herpaper must be in Professor Howe's hands. There was a strained expressionin her eyes as, elbow on desk, she ran her fingers through her hair byway of inducement to thought.
"It's no use," she said in a whisper to Wee Watts, who occupied a seatwith her, "I can't get my brain in working order to-day to save me. Haveyou a glimmer of an idea about Emerson's essay on 'Compensation?' I'vegot to write it up."
Wee's face looked as blank as a stone wall.
"Emerson! Heavens, no! He's as deep as the sea. Ask me something easy,Blue Bonnet. My grey matter's at your disposal--what's left of it. Ithink I've overtaxed it with my own theme. Do you know anything abouthypnotism?"
"Hypnotism! I should say not. Look out! Fraulein's weather eye isturned this way.
"I think it's the tea we're going to this afternoon that's distractingme," Blue Bonnet confessed, when Fraulein had removed the weather eye."I can't seem to get it out of my mind. I know we're going to have aperfectly wonderful time. I wish you were going, Wee."
"Yes--it would be lovely. I suppose Annabel has borrowed everything insight. I've given her my Egyptian bracelet and my jade ring. Don't lether have your furs to-day. You look so pretty in them yourself."
"Oh, she doesn't want them," Blue Bonnet answered loyally. "I thinkshe's going to get Angela's. They are white fox--almost like mine. Oh,bother! What on earth is 'compensation,' anyway? I've read this essayten times and it's perfect Greek to me. Don't you know, Wee, really?This thing has got to be handed in in twenty minutes."
Wee searched through her desk for a dictionary.
"Look it up," she suggested, turning to the C's. "Sometimes you can geta start that way."
Blue Bonnet gathered up dictionary and papers and moved to a vacantseat.
"Thank you so much, Wee," she whispered in passing, "I've got to sitalone where I can think. You're _nice_, but you're _too_ entertaining."
Again she plunged into her subject and for a few minutes workeddiligently. A white scrap of paper rolled in a ball falling at her feetdistracted her attention. She dropped her handkerchief over it inobedience to a slight cough from Sue Hemphill, and drew it into her lap.A second later it lay open in her book.
"Annabel's changed her mind," it read. "She's not going to wear hersuit. She thinks she'll wear her new crepe de chine and borrow Patty'sfur coat. Don't you think that will make us look out of place in justwaists and suits? Answer."
Blue Bonnet crumpled the note in her hand and looked at the clockanxiously. She didn't give a rap what Annabel wore. It was half pastone, and she had but three paragraphs written on her theme. She readthem through again. They were utterly impossible. She tore the paperinto bits and carried the pieces to the waste basket.
Going back to the seat with Wee Watts she put her books in order andawaited the ringing of the gong which signaled the beginning of the nextperiod.
It was unfortunate--for Blue Bonnet at least--that something hadhappened to disturb Professor Howe's usual calmness of manner. She wasirritated. Blue Bonnet felt it in the atmosphere the moment she enteredthe recitation-room.
"We will begin with Miss Ashe," she said, busying herself with somepapers on her desk. "You may read what you have prepared on the Emersonwork, Miss Ashe. Come to the front of the room, please."
Blue Bonnet half rose in her seat and her face flushed scarlet.
"I am not prepared, Professor Howe. I am sorry--but--"
"Have you been ill, Miss Ashe?"
"No, not ill, but--"
"Take your seat and remain after the class is dismissed, Miss Ashe."
"This afternoon, Professor Howe? Oh, I can't to-day. It is impossible--"
Professor Howe made no reply and passed on to the next pupil.
Blue Bonnet did some quick thinking during the next few minutes. How shewas to write a theme and get ready to go to Cambridge by three o'clock,was beyond her ability to calculate. Professor Howe would surely excuseher when she explained; explained that she had tried to write the themeand failed--she felt sure of that. But Professor Howe for once wasadamant. No explanation sufficed; no amount of pleading prevailed. BlueBonnet remained after class and, cross and late, reached her room justas Sue and Annabel were leaving theirs, well groomed and immaculate.
"I reckon you'll have to go on without me," she said, her eyes fillingwith tears of vexation and disappointment. "Professor Howe's on aregular rampage to-day. She's kept me all this time over an oldcomposition on Emerson. She's made me loathe Emerson for all time. Ishall perfectly hate him from this hour forth. Go on, don't wait! Iwon't spoil everything for the rest of you."
"Nonsense," Annabel said, pushing Blue Bonnet into her room and takingout her clothes from the closet. "Just hurry a little. The boys aren'there yet. It won't hurt them to wait a few minutes anyway. It's nokilling matter. Wash in a little cold water; it'll freshen you."
Blue Bonnet emerged presently from the bathroom, rosy and happy, gaveher hair a vigorous brushing, and got into the becoming silk waist thatSue held ready for her.
"Thought you were going to wear your crepe de chine, Annabel. Sue saidyou were. Did you change your mind?"
"Yes, Sue made such a fuss; said you girls were going to wear yoursuits. I suppose it is more sensible. Here are your gloves. Luckythey're clean! Got a handkerchief? Come on."
Three more attractive girls it would be hard to find than Annabel, Sueand Blue Bonnet, as they made their way to the reception-room, where theboys were waiting.
Billy presented Sue's escort. A rather fine-looking young fellow by thename of Billings--Ben Billings. "An awfully common name," Sue sniffed toBlue Bonnet at her first opportunity. "Never could abide the name of'Ben.'"
"Oh, I don't know, Sue," Blue Bonnet replied, "it's probably short forBenjamin. Benjamin Billings isn't so bad. I think it's quite highsounding."
But Benjamin Billings proved to have assets, if he did have a commonname. It transpired that he lived in Boston, was a member of awell-known family. In fact the very elegant looking limousine whichwaited at the curb proved to be his property--or his mother's--and theparty went forth in it, gaily.
The ride to Cambridge was delightful. The car just crowded enough tomake every one merry and responsive. Blue Bonnet sat squeezed securelybetween Mrs. White and Billy Hemphill.
Arriving at the college, Billy, who seemed to be the master ofceremonies, went a little ahead of the party, and throwing open the doorof his room hospitably ushered the guests in.
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"This way," he said, leading them through the sitting-room to thebedroom beyond. "You'll want to take off your wraps."
A trim maid in a neat cap stood waiting to assist the girls with coatsand rubbers.
"They're doing it up brown," Sue whispered as Billy left the room."They've engaged this maid along with the caterer. Just wait! I do hopethey haven't forgotten that heavenly ice-cream like they had before. Thekind with the nuts! Oh, girls; look! Isn't that perfectly killing?"
Sue pointed to a vase of flowers on Billy's dresser. They were exquisitepale yellow roses, about which were tied--as stiffly and properly asBilly would have tied his own necktie--two shades of ribbon, green andwhite, the colors of the North school.
"Well, it's perfectly dear of him, anyway," Sue said, as the girls shookwith laughter. "Of course the bows _are_ funny, but the boys have donethe best they knew how, and it's a pretty compliment, _I_ think."
A pretty compliment it was, elaborated upon in the sitting-room. Vasesstood in every available corner and space, and the same bows ornamentedeach bouquet. The girls were eloquent in praise of them.
"Why didn't you try a four-in-hand on this one, Billy?" Sue asked,pointing to a carefully arranged effect of the "string-tie" variety. "Ora--what you call it--an Ascot! An Ascot would be stunning on thoseorchids."
A laugh went round the room in which Billy joined good naturedly.
"See what you fellows escape by not having a sister," he said, noddingtoward McVickar and Billings. His tone was severe, but the loving lookthat shot from his eyes to the dimpled face close to his own belied thewords. Any fellow would have been proud to have had such a sister. Billyappreciated the fact.
"Anyway, I didn't tie the bows," he added. "McVickar did it. 'Fess up,old man. He's been at it all day--sluffed his classes to tie the bunch."
It was Sue's turn to become embarrassed.
"Really?" she said. "Well, they're perfectly lovely--and the idea's sonew. I've never seen it used before. I think you should becongratulated, Mr. McVickar. It's a gift to be able to originate!"
Even Billy regarded Sue with admiration, but a knock at the doorprevented further discussion.
"Pardon me," Billy said to Mrs. White on the way to open the door."Surprising how many interruptions a fellow has in a place like this."
On the threshold stood a young man, groomed within an inch of his life;hair faultless; shoes immaculate; tie and scarf pin elaborate.
"Oh, a thousand pardons, Hemphill. Didn't dream you were entertaining.Just looking for a book--Calculus. Haven't seen it knocking about, haveyou? Fancied I left it here last night. No--No! Couldn't think ofstopping. Oh, if you feel that way, old chap--"
Billy, by this time, had got the intruder inside the room and waspresenting him to the guests. Mr. Williams looked about with apparentembarrassment and took a seat by Blue Bonnet.
"Fear I'm intruding. Awful bore--fellows running in like this. Didn'tdream Hemphill was entertaining. From Boston, I presume, Miss--begpardon, didn't quite catch the name."
"Ashe," Blue Bonnet said, casting a rather amused glance at the youngman's elaborate afternoon toilet.
"Miss Ashe. Not the Ashes of Beacon Street? They're relatives ofmine--distant, of course."
"No. I'm from Texas."
"Texas! You're rather a long way from home, aren't you? Texas seemsfarther away to me than Paris. Great country that--Texas. Lots of cattleand Indians and--"
"I don't know about Indians. We have cattle--lots! And cowboys. Maybeyou're thinking of cowboys?"
But cowboys were farthest from Mr. Williams' mind. Translated histhoughts ran something like this: "Mighty pretty girl, blooming as arose. Wonder how many of us the chaperon's going to stand for. Plaguetake it, why didn't Stuart give me a show--needn't have tread on myheels this way."
But Stuart, at the door, stopping only a half moment for a lostovercoat--so he said--was being presented to the ladies. And inStuart's wake came others. It was amazing how many things had been lostoh the campus; or in Billy Hemphill and Hammie McVickar's rooms.
Mrs. White began to feel nervous. She was in a quandary. She couldhardly take her charges away before tea, neither could she ask the youngmen to leave. She finally decided to settle down comfortably and closeher eyes to any irregularities. After all there could be no real harm.
With the utmost cordiality Billy and his room-mate insisted upon theirfriends remaining to tea, and the men needed but little urging. Theymade themselves generally agreeable, assisting in the entertaining;passing tea and sandwiches with ease and aplomb.
Mr. Williams kept the seat next to Blue Bonnet and Hammie McVickardropped down on the other side of her.
"First visit here?" Mr. Williams asked, trying to successfully balancehis ice-cream and cake on one knee.
"Yes--that is, it's the first time I've been inside one of thebuildings. I came to a ball game last autumn."
"Then you must have a look round before you go."
Blue Bonnet assured him of her willingness if Mrs. White and the otherswere agreeable.
"You have pleasant quarters here," she said, turning to Mr. McVickar."If you were at Oxford you would call this room the 'sitter' and thatthe 'bedder,'" nodding toward the room where they had laid aside theircoats.
"Yes--those are the Oxford terms. Know anybody there?"
"Just one man. I've only met him. He's a friend of a friend of mine. Hetold me about some of the customs. They interested me very much."
Over in her corner, between young Billings and the interloper, Stuart,Sue was having a beautiful time. She had felt free, since it was Billy'sparty--hence Billy's ice-cream--to permit herself a second helping. Suewas in her element. Billy and her favorite ice-cream--all in one day! Itwas almost too much.
Annabel, as usual, was the centre of attraction. She was surrounded by anumber of "searchers for lost articles," and Blue Bonnet, as she glancedin her direction, could imagine how the men were enjoying her prettySouthern drawl, her always witty remarks. Billy, with greatself-sacrifice, devoted himself to Mrs. White, but his glance strayedoften to Annabel. Mrs. White must have noticed the anxious glances, forshe got up after she had finished her tea and insisted upon talking toMr. McVickar for a while.
The hour sped all too soon. Before the girls realized it, they had seenthe interesting sights of the campus; the big dining-room in MemorialHall, where twelve hundred students assembled daily; Sanders Theatre andthe Fogg Art Museum.
"I'd love to come in here when the men were dining," Annabel remarked,gazing from the balcony down upon the dining-hall.
A quick glance passed between the men. They smiled in unison.
"What's the joke?" Annabel insisted.
"You'd have to come here at mealtime to find out," Billy informed her."You see, we are a little averse to an audience, and the fellows act upconsiderably."
"What do they do?"
"Well," Hammie McVickar explained, "when any one enters this balconyevery man down there begins pounding with his knife and fork, oranything that's handy, and raising such a din, that guests usuallydepart--quickly."
"I think that's very rude," Blue Bonnet said, and the men agreed withher politely.
"Wasn't it just like Billy to pick out the biggest bouquet for Mrs.White?" Sue whispered to Annabel, as they were finally leaving thecampus. "She adores American beauties, too. Don't you really think he'sa dear?"
"He's a diplomat, to say the least," Annabel replied, laughing. "And acharming host," she added, to palliate Sue's evident disappointment."Perfectly charming."
"I'm so glad you think so, Annabel, and--do you know--I've a feelingthat he likes you awfully, dear. Not from anything he says--but--well,just the way he looks at you sometimes!"
"How absurd, Sue!" Annabel replied, as she hurried to catch up with therest of the party; but her eyes sparkled and a beautiful flush crimsonedher lovely face.
After the lights were out that night, Blue Bonnet, with utter disregardof rules, slipped into Annabel's room to talk
things over. It was anexcellent opportunity, as Ruth had left in the afternoon for a week-endat home.
Sue had already arrived and was comfortably ensconced on the couch inbath-robe and slippers.
"Good!" she cried, drawing Blue Bonnet down beside her while Annabelstirred the fire. "Now, we'll have a regular old-fashioned gossip." Thefire, after some coaxing, broke into a ruddy glow, and Annabel, droppingbefore it on the rug, took down her hair and began brushing itsystematically. Annabel never, under any circumstances, neglected herhair. It was one of her chief attractions, and its soft, glossy texturetestified to this regular treatment.
"My, but you're enterprising," Blue Bonnet said, as Annabel brusheddiligently, counting each stroke. "I couldn't brush my hair that wayevery night if my life depended upon it. Don't you ever feel too tiredto do it?"
"Oh, yes--sometimes; but it doesn't pay to neglect it. Wasn't itglorious over at the college to-day? Didn't you just adore it?"
"Loved it!" Blue Bonnet said rapturously, while Sue clasped her armsabout her knees and gazed into the fire dreamily. "I think it wasperfectly dear of Sue's brother to have us; and weren't those nice menwho drifted in? Do you think any of them had really lost anything?"
Annabel laughed.
"I told them that they ought to form a St. Anthony society. There'sstrength in union."
"Who's St. Anthony?"
"He's the saint that some people pray to when they've lost things. Hehelps find them."
"Annabel--that's sacrilegious!"
"I didn't mean it to be. The boys didn't take it that way, I'm sure."
"That Billings person was quite nice after all, wasn't he?" Sue wakenedfrom her dream long enough to remark. "I rather liked him. He's awfullydevoted to Billy. It was quite touching the way he talked about him."
Blue Bonnet and Annabel laughed outright.
Sue was indignant.
"I don't see anything to laugh at. What's the matter with him?"
"Nothing. I think he's fine," Annabel answered. "And so clever! Justthink of any one being discerning enough to find the way into Sue's goodgraces by the Billy route!"
Sue got up and drawing her bath-robe closer about her started for thedoor.
"I think I'll say good night," she said. "I have a Latin exam to-morrowand I've set my alarm for five-thirty."
But Annabel, intercepting, drew her to the hearth-rug and began humbleapologies.
"Don't be silly, there's an old dear. I was only teasing--you know that.You're not going for an hour yet. Come to think of it, you'll not go atall; you'll sleep in Ruth's bed. We've loads to discuss, loads! Wehaven't mentioned Hammie McVickar or that Mr. what's his name--Stuart,wasn't it? or the refreshments. Come to think of it, Blue Bonnet's goingto stay, too. We'll roll the couch over here by the fire and give her mydown comfort--or my bed, if she prefers it."
An invitation that was accepted after some protest by both.
"But I've simply got to get up early, Annabel," Sue insisted. "I don'twant to wake you and Blue Bonnet."
"I'm rising with the dawn myself, thank you, my dear," and in a whisperAnnabel sang:
"'There's going to be There's going to be There's going to be A Physics test. The girls will shiver round the hall, Waiting for the bell to call Them to the test. And the greasy grinds will murmur:
"'Every little molecule has a magnet all its own, Every little North Pole by its action may be known, And every feeling That comes stealing 'Round its being, Must be revealing Magnetic force lines, In some appealing Little action All its own.'"
"And you won't be disturbing me in the least, Sue," Blue Bonnet said,"for I'm with you both. I want to have a little 'heart-to-heart' sessionwith Mr. Emerson in the morning on his compensation article. I believethat I can do it justice now that the tea is over."
"But I must get my clock, Annabel. If it should go off at daylight, andWee found me missing, there'd be trouble."
"All right, trot along, Sue; but come back instantly."
Is it necessary to add that, after talking until the wee small hours ofmorning, daylight found three girls peacefully slumbering, utterlyoblivious to the faithful alarm which trilled forth its summons tounheeding ears?
It was Blue Bonnet who first opened her eyes to the broad sunlight, andsat up with a start. It took her a full minute to get her bearings: thenshe rushed to Annabel's bed and shook that young person roundly.
"Annabel! Annabel! Sue! For goodness' sake, get up! It's seven-thirtythis minute. I hear the girls now, going to breakfast. How am I ever toget into my own room for my clothes? Oh, I never should have stayed herelast night--I knew that I shouldn't all the time."
But Sue, sitting up in Ruth's bed, rubbed her eyes vigorously and pouredoil on the troubled waters.
"Don't get so excited, Blue Bonnet. It's no killing matter to be late tobreakfast. You'll only get a mark in the 'Doomsday Book;' and thank yourlucky stars the girls _are_ going down to breakfast. When they're allgone you can slip out easily."
"Yes--but oh, my Emerson!"
"Emerson isn't a patching to a Latin exam!"
"And the two couldn't match up with a Physics test!" Annabel groaned,putting on her clothes with eager haste. "I have a vision of the markI'll get!"
She went to the door and took a sweeping glance down the hall.
"Coast's clear," she announced. "Shoo--both of you."