No, it would not be long, and yet there would be plenty of time in it for the happening of various things of more or less importance to the college lassies. CHAPTER V When the train on Wednesday evening halted for a moment at the first suburban station outside Dolly's city home, she gave a little shriek of surprise and delight. A moment later three young men entered the Pullman where Dolly and her friends were seated. One of the young men was instantly pounced upon by Dolly and given an enthusiastic reception; meanwhile his two companions stood back smilingly, and proceeded to scrutinize Dolly's companions very closely. "Oh, dear, where shall we begin with the introductions? We have all got to be introduced, I see. Well, this is my brother, Fred, Miss Newby and Miss Sutherland. He is really very nice, girls. I have brought him up quite properly." "The bringing up was altogether the other way, as I chance to be a couple of years my sister's senior. Now, boys, come forward." A moment later and the girls had formally made the acquaintance of "Mr. Martin" and "Mr. Steele." "I told the mater to let us meet you, and she finally consented, though she made us promise not to loiter on the way. We got here this morning, you know." "How jolly, Fred, and oh! how good it is to be at home once more," Dolly said, as the train came to a standstill in the great station. "Let us walk up, we can get there in ten minutes and we can talk so much better that way. Tell me about your friends, Fred." "There's not time to tell you very much, but I'll give you the main points. Steele is working his way through college. He is one of the most popular men there. He hasn't a near relation in the world. He was born somewhere out West. His father took a claim; dry seasons, big mortgage and prairie fires killed the mother and the father, too. There wasn't a cent left for Bob. He has done about everything that a boy could do, I guess, and he has lived in every large city between here and Kansas. He was three years in Chicago, and managed to graduate from the High School there. Did jobs for some millionaire night and morning for his board and a dollar a week. Wherever he lived he went to school. That's how he managed to prepare for college." "But how does he do now?" "He won a scholarship, and then he is steward of our club. He does private tutoring and half a dozen other things. He'll get along. He had more invitations for Thanksgiving, I'll wager, than any other fellow in college." "And Mr. Martin? Talk fast. We are almost home. You know all about the girls, for I told you all that I could think of in my letters." "There isn't so much to tell about Martin, Dolly. He comes from one of the oldest families in Boston, has lots of money, and plenty of brains, but he is fearfully lazy. What he needs--"