Bryn Mawr (Pa.) -- Social life and customs -- Fiction; Bryn Mawr College -- Fiction; College stories, American; Women college students -- Fiction
"I believe he is," said the marshal, without enthusiasm, adding to
herself, "How vexatious if I cannot keep him away from there. He will
see her, of course, and my day's work will have gone for nothing."
"I should like to see him immensely," observed Timothy.
"It is a long walk," objected the marshal.
"Not _too_ long, surely," said Timothy, with a glance, adding
persuasively, "I should hate to go alone."
"I should hate to have you," cried the marshal, with unmistakable
sincerity.
"Ah!" said Timothy, intoxication mounting to his brain. He wanted to
grasp some one by the hand and tell him what an altogether pleasing and
agreeable world this was. "Ah!" he said again, "we will go together."
The marshal flushed and murmured, "Idiot!" Then she grew pinker than
ever with vexation, while Timothy watched her confusion with an
agreeable thrill.
"If he _will_ go," thought the marshal, "I must certainly go too, to see
that he doesn't get within speaking distance."
So they walked on, past Taylor Hall, and across the May-pole green, down
to the hill below Radnor, where Robin Hood's men were holding forth. The
crowd of people surged and eddied past them. All the wide expanse of
campus was covered with moving throngs, and dotted with the brilliant
May-day dresses. Banners of purple and gold and crimson were flaming
from every window.
"I have stepped right out of America," remarked Timothy. "This place
must be rather like a May-day fête, even on ordinary occasions."
"I hope not," thought the marshal, wearily.
"Those grey stone buildings, with all that ivy, are like feudal castles.
I should think that the girls wandering about must be rather decorative,
if they wear their caps and gowns."
"Thank you," murmured the marshal.
"I feel like a trespasser," continued Timothy. "The place just suits
your costumes. We have no business here. Why did you let us in?"
"I don't know what object there would have been in getting it up, if we
didn't let you in," said the marshal, striving not to be bored.
Timothy was still in the clouds as they pushed their way into the inner
circle of the crowd, just in time for the finish of a bout at
quarter-staff between Robin Hood and Little John. Then Robin Hood ran to
the top of the hill, and blew a shrill blast upon his horn. A shout
answered him, and his band of merry men, all clad in Lincoln green, came
pouring over the brow of the hill. Long ago, when Timothy was a child,
Robin Hood had been his hero. He had procured a bow and arrow, and was
wont to strut about the back-yard, pretending to shoot the dun deer.
Here he was face to face with the famous outlaw, and the old glamour
gathered about him. After the familiar scene of Little John's
christening, the drinking-horns were filled, and the band threw
themselves down upon the soft grass, covered with violets. All listened
while the minstrel touched his harp, and the beautiful voice of
Allan-a-Dale sang the plaintive old ballad _Islington_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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