Meade L. T. - The Girls of St. Wode's стр 27.

Then we must fly. Oh, never mind our hands. Ink? Yes, I have ink on my hands and on my face and on my hair; but never mind, never mind; they know me now. I am called Inky Annie. I rather glory in the name.

But I should have thought that a mathematical scholar would have been the essence of order, said Leslie. Surely mathematics ought to conduce to order of mind and body.

You know nothing whatever about it, said Annie, casting a withering glance at Leslie. I wonder if you are clever or what you have come here for. Girls who are merely orderly have no niche at St. Wodes. But you will learn doubtless; and if you are good-natured I will stick up for you of course. Come along now; you are a fresher, you know, this term, and will be treated accordingly.

But how are freshers treated, and why must I be given that unpleasant name? asked Leslie.

Custom, my dear custom. We always call the new girls freshers; youll get used to it. No one is unkind to a fresher unless she makes herself disagreeable,

which I rather guess you wont. Here Annie smiled brightly into Leslies face.

Well, I hope we shall be good friends, and that I wont inconvenience you, said the other girl.

You wont if you are silent and keep to your side of the room. Now then, lets join hands and fly downstairs.

Oh, yes, we are fearfully late, and the others have gone into the dining hall.

Well, come this way, said Annie. Ill squeeze you into a seat by me, if you like, for this evening, Leslie Gilroy.

CHAPTER XIII A COCOA PARTY

This is my roomfellow, Miss Leslie Gilroy, Miss Frere.

How do you do, Miss Gilroy? said Miss Frere in a pleasant voice. I think you will find a seat next to Miss Colchester. Move down a little, please, Jane, she continued, turning to another girl with a rosy face and dark eyes. Yes, there is plenty of room now. I will have a talk with you after dinner, if you like, Miss Gilroy.

Thank you, I shall be very glad, replied Leslie. Her bright eyes and lovely face, her whole manner and pleasant expression, made many of the girls turn and glance at her; but nobody stared in at all an unpleasant manner.

The girl called Jane began to talk to Leslie, and told her some of the rules of the place. Leslie was glad to learn what she could; but her eyes anxiously glanced from table to table in the hope of once more seeing her two companions of the cab. Presently she observed Marjorie and Eileen seated at a table at the other end of the room. They were together, looking already quite at home and perfectly contented. They talked to one another; when they caught Leslies eyes they nodded to her in a pleasant, hail-fellow-well-met manner.

Who are those two girls? said Jane Heriot suddenly. They are freshers like yourself, are they not?

I do not know much about them, replied Leslie. Yes; they have just come to St. Wodes their names are Marjorie and Eileen Chetwynd. They were kind enough to share a cab with me coming from the station, and seem to be very nice girls indeed.

I like their faces, said Miss Heriot; but what a funny way they do their hair. I dont care for that short hair; do you?

Not personally, replied Leslie; but they seem nice girls and have handsome faces.

Yes, I am sure they are charming, and also out of the common. I only trust they wont join the oddities. We have a few oddities here, of course. I am so glad you are not going to be one.

As Jane spoke she glanced toward Annie Colchester, who looked back at her and nodded.

I overheard you, Jane, she said; and you are perfectly welcome to speak of me as the oddity of all oddities. Miss Leslie Gilroy has found out that fact for herself already; have you not, Miss Gilroy?

I have found you quite willing to put up with the discomfort of having me in your room, answered Leslie, coloring as she spoke.

You are sure to have a room to yourself after this term, said Jane Heriot. This is always our most crowded term; but if Annie takes honors, which she is very likely to do, she will be leaving St. Wodes, and then the governors will give you another room.

The dinner proceeded. Leslie asked a few more questions of Jane, who always replied in a pleasant, intelligent manner; and, when the meal had come to an end, she asked Leslie if she would like to come with her to her own room.

This is our debate evening, she said. I will bring you down to the hall presently, and introduce you to several of the girls; but now do come down to my room and have a chat. We dont debate before half-past eight. I am sure we shall be friends.

But Miss Frere said something about wishing to see me after dinner, said Leslie. She is one of the tutors, is she not?

Oh, yes, such a darling; the dearest, sweetest woman on earth. But surely you dont want to talk over books to-night?

Yes, I do. I should like to settle down to my work as quickly as possible.

Well, of course you can speak to Miss Frere; but I dont think she can give you much of her time, for she is to open the debate. She is our classical tutor. Are you classical, Miss Gilroy?