From time to time Aunt Hilary made dainty additions to Hilary’s “trousseau”, as she called it. Among other things which looked “bridey”, according to Hilary, was a cedar chest, over which Hilary hung with clasped hands, so great was her surprise and admiration. “Look at the lovely lining and pockets, June! Why, Aunt Hilary, it will be my hope box for ever!” “What is a ‘hope box,’ Hilary?” “Why, don’t you know? That is what the girls call the box where they put their guest towels and doilies and silver and things they are saving for when they get married.” “O, yes; a bridal chest. I see.” “I have several embroidered towels and some silver spoons already.” “Mercy, child, I hope you are not thinking of such things yet!” “No, indeed, Aunt Hilary; all I can think of is Greycliff and the wonderful year I’m going to have. Honestly, I feel like dancing up and down sometimes and can hardly wait.” So sped the summer days on wings, until finally golden September came once again with the ringing of school bells all over the land. CHAPTER IV GREYCLIFF Greycliff Heights was the name of the small town where Mr. Van Buskirk and Cathalina found themselves one bright day in the middle of September. At the station were a few taxicabs decorated with Greycliff banners. A short spin over a pretty, winding road brought them out to the school called Greycliff. There they entered a broad gateway and glided around a curved drive to Greycliff Hall, the girls’ dormitory. A rolling, grassy campus; flowers and a fountain; a scattered group of handsome grey stone buildings, vine-covered; a green wood, whose trees and bushes gradually thinned toward the sandy beach which lay between the campus proper and where the lake danced and shimmered at a distance,—these were what the eye could gather for a first impression. “Look, Papa!” said Cathalina, “see those lovely horses. Do you suppose they belong here?” “Very likely.” At some distance beyond the campus, a large pasture was fenced in and there grazed about a dozen pretty ponies and as many horses. “O, I do believe I shall like the riding lessons after I get over being afraid!” “As you grow stronger and more used to everything, Cathalina, you will not feel so timid.” By this time they were ready to ascend the steps. A broad veranda with Ionic pillars extended the great width of the great building, and they had no sooner reached the top than from one of the comfortable porch seats there rose a slight woman, somewhat under middle height, who came to meet them. Her face was serious, with wise, observant grey eyes; but when she drew near and held out a cordial hand, a warm smile lit up the whole face and Cathalina’s feeling of a stranger in a strange land began to slip away. Introducing herself as the principal, Miss Randolph welcomed the newcomers sincerely and took them into her own reception room.