"You are responsible for that. Since she allows you to superintend her purchases, and tell her what colors to wear, she looks more like a girl, and less like a relic of some former geological era." "Poor child, she had no opportunity to learn on the farm, and very little money to spend for anything, I fancy." "All very true, and Professor Newton is a trump for giving her forlorn namesake this chance. Of course, she pays all Mary's expenses." "Yes, and Mary is going to be a credit in the end to all her relatives and friends. I wish I could say as much of your room-mate." "You can't. The most I dare hope in that direction is that Margaret will not do anything to make us ashamed of her." But the next week proved that this hope would not be realized. CHAPTER VII On Thursday the girls would leave for their Christmas vacation. Dolly, as well as Beth and Mary Sutherland, had passed their examinations in a very satisfactory manner, and could enjoy the holidays with clear consciences. The freshmen had been getting up a musical extravaganza under the energetic direction of their president. There was no denying the fact that Margaret Hamilton made a fine class president. She had insisted upon Dolly's having a prominent part. Margaret, herself, had a fine contralto voice, and by common vote, another of the principal parts was given to her. Beth had a minor part, and Mary appeared only in the choruses. A number of the other girls had remarkably fine voices, and all of the leading parts were well carried. The class president seemed unusually elated and happy. The entertainment would be given by the freshmen in the College Hall on Wednesday evening. The faculty was invited, of course, as well as the sophomores, juniors and seniors. It was the first entertainment that the freshmen had given, and everyone was eager to see what they could do. Professor Newton had been admitted to the last rehearsal, and she assured the girls that it was the best thing that she had ever seen done by any freshman class. "There wasn't a flaw in it. The idea is unique, the costuming fine and the solo work was absolutely superb. You must have worked hard. It will be something for all the classes to talk about for years to come. Just do as well as you did at this rehearsal, and you will find yourselves covered with glory, if you do not attempt anything else in your entire college course." "It is all due to our president," said one of the group who surrounded Professor Newton. "It was her idea in the first place; she adapted the extravaganza to our class, and it is she who has made us work so hard at it." "You have every reason to be proud of your work, Miss Hamilton," Professor Newton said cordially. "I am tremendously proud of the girls, Professor Newton. Of course, I could have done nothing at all if they had not been so willing."