Meade L. T. - The Girls of St. Wode's стр 24.

Oh, hush, please, Lettie; dont say any more, said Eileen. You need not begin by frightening Miss Gilroy. You look, Miss Gilroy, as if you intended to have a good time.

Leslie did not reply, except with her eyes, which were smiling. She was looking her best, dressed neatly and suitably, with her white sailor hat making an effective contrast to the meshes of her bright golden hair.

Well, I do wonder how everything will turn out, said Eileen. By the way, Miss Gilroy, you did not tell us which Hall you were going to?

I believe I am to share a room with another student at North Hall, she answered. Then she continued, the smiles which she could not suppress now visiting her eyes, Is not the whole scheme delightful? I do wonder what the other students will be like.

And what the tutors will be like, continued Marjorie eagerly. There are two resident tutors in each house, and also a vice-principal. Miss Lauderdale is, of course, the principal over the entire college. I expect I shall be somewhat afraid of her.

I dont intend to be afraid of anyone, said Eileen. When one makes up ones mind to lead a really useful life, surely small matters, such as little nervousnesses, ought not to count.

Leslie gazed hard at Eileen, as if she would read her through.

Marjorie bent suddenly forward and laid her hand on Leslies knee.

Will you tell me something? she asked earnestly. Are you coming to St. Wodes to be a useful member of society, or a learned, or an ornamental one?

I have not thought of it in that light, said Leslie. I want to go in for learning, of course. As to being ornamental, I have no time to think about that; and useful well, I hope that learned and useful will, in my case, go together. I have a great deal to do during the three years which are before me a delightful three years I have no doubt they will prove. What special subjects do you mean to take up, Miss

Chetwynd is my name, said Eileen; but I hope you wont call me it. I am sure we shall be friends, more particularly as we are to start our new life in the same hall. Oh, I shall have much to tell you by and by. Lettie, why is that frown between your brows?

I did not know that I was frowning, answered Letitia, I was only thinking of the ornamental part of life, and how I could carry it out most effectively.

Letitia was dressed with special care, not unsuitably, for she had too good taste for that; but so daintily, so exquisitely, with such a careful

eye to the smallest details that Marjorie and Eileen looked rough and gauche beside her. Their serge skirts had been made by a work-girl, as nothing would induce them to waste money on a dressmaker. The work-girl had been discovered by Eileen in Fox Buildings. She had a lame knee and a sick brother, and Eileen seized upon her at once as a suitable person for the job, as she expressed it. Finally, she was given most of the girls outfits to undertake.

She worked neatly, but had not the slightest idea of fitting. With numberless blouses, however, and a couple of serge skirts, and sailor hats, though cheap, at least looking clean, the girls passed muster, and were totally indifferent to their own appearance.

When once we have plunged into our new work we shall be as happy as the day is long, said Eileen. I wonder if Belle arrived yesterday or to-day?

I sincerely trust she wont come till to-morrow, said Letitia, with a shudder. I do not know for what sin I am doomed to reside under the same roof with that terrible girl.

A terrible girl? Who can she be? asked Leslie.

You will know for yourself before you have been many days at St. Wodes, was Letties enigmatical reply. Oh, and here we are, turning in at the gates! My heart does go pit-a-pat.

Leslies face also became suffused with pink as the cabman drew up at the large wooden gates, which were presently opened by a neatly dressed young woman who lived at the lodge just within.

The grounds were three-quarters of a mile in length, and the four halls, built round a quadrangle, stood in the middle. There was a wide and smoothly kept grass lawn in front of the halls, and a gravel sweep going right round them. The cab presently delivered up its four occupants, and Eileen, Marjorie, and Leslie found themselves in a small waiting room inside West Hall, where they were to remain until the housekeeper could arrive to take them to their several rooms. They had not to wait long. A cheery young woman of about seven-and-twenty presently made her appearance, asked them their names, told them that their trunks would be brought to their rooms as soon as ever they arrived, and then requested them to follow her.

She tripped up some wide stone stairs, destitute of carpets, and then down a corridor, slippery with parquetry work. The next moment she had flung open a door, and revealed a good-sized room, which was occupied by another girl at the farther end, who wore a shock of red hair rather untidily put up in a loose knot at the back of her head.

Miss Colchester, I see you have arrived, said Miss Payne the housekeeper. This is your room-fellow; may I introduce you to Miss Leslie Gilroy?