That was one charm about Miss Craven to her. She reveled in poetry. The other girls were full of nonsense chatter in the spare half hours, but they two often slipped away under some tree and read and discussed. There was a fund of romance in each one, though temperament and surroundings had been so different, the one so afraid to express her inmost thought, the other so fearless, not even minding being laughed at. Every day seemed more crowded with all things. "I'm glad I don't have to think about a graduation gown, or any gown," laughed Helen. "My clothes come ready-made, and all I have to do is to put them on." "But wouldn't you like to choose sometimes?" asked one of the girls. "I shall choose my graduation gown and my wedding gown." "Oh, no you won't. Graduation gowns have to be pretty much alike, and wedding gowns must be in the prevailing fashion. In fact, I think there is very little you _do_ choose in this life. There's someone just in front always who lays down the law, and though you may think you will get your own way you find oftener it is the way of someone else." "If I had my way I wouldn't come back to school." "If I had my way I would come back to school ten years," exclaimed Helen. "You are enough to tire anyone to death with your everlasting study plans. Thank heaven for vacation, say I." There were some plans, indeed a great deal of planning about that. Each girl had a different desire. Helen had written her monthly letter regularly. Sometimes she had nice chatty replies from Mrs. Van Dorn; at others, Miss Gage had written. They had been spending a month at Paris, now they were going to London, and then to some country houses. And early in June came a letter disposing of Helen's summer. She would return to Hope and spend the time between Mrs. Dayton and her uncle. "We do not know what may happen another year," she wrote; "and you are too young to be going about anywhere else." Of course that was what she had expected to do, would be glad to do. She did want to see all her old friends again. Uncle Jason's letters had been rather queer and formal, Jenny had written twice all about herself and Joe. Daisy came in bright and smiling. She, too, had a letter. "I've been telling mamma such lots about you, and I asked her to let me invite you to spend a fortnight with me, and here it is. Just listen." A very delightful invitation to be sure. Helen's heart beat high for a moment. "Well--are you struck speechless?" a gay light dancing in her eyes. "You are very good, just lovely, but I do not know as I can accept, I am to go home----" "Only two weeks out of nine! Surely you can spare that!" Helen considered. "I will consult Mrs. Aldred before I decide," with gentle gravity.