College stories; Women college students -- Juvenile fiction
Jean felt a little dismayed at the thought of meeting Miss Hooper, but
she soon found herself shaking hands with her and heard her say, "Later
in the evening, Miss Cabot, I hope I may have the pleasure of eating an
ice with you in the faculty alcove. Can you spare me a few moments?"
Jean answered that she would be very pleased to, although she felt she
was in for an explanation of her non-appearance in the mathematics
class, and dreaded it.
Every member of the faculty seemed to be particularly interested in
every freshman who was introduced to her and had something pleasant
to say to them all. They seemed to have entirely forgotten their
mannerisms and the severity of the class rooms. Jean looked long and
earnestly at Miss Emerson and wished she might stand and talk to her
indefinitely, but the long line of waiting freshmen pushed her quickly
along, and she determined to find time later in the evening to ask her
a few questions.
Before long the dancing began and Jean found herself passed on from
one girl to another; some who danced well and some who did not; some
who did nothing but ask questions; some who persisted in telling their
whole family history in five minutes; some tall, some short, some
handsome, some homely, but all college girls filled with the spirit of
good fellowship. Once or twice she rushed over to where Elizabeth was
sitting with whom she had deposited her gloves, fan, handkerchief and
dance-order, and usually found her silently listening to the pearls of
wisdom which fell from the lips of the senior sitting beside her.
About half-past ten Elizabeth said to her, "Jean, I have just been
talking with Miss Hooper and she wishes to know if you will look for
her in the faculty alcove after the next dance."
Jean was tempted to ignore the invitation and all through the next
two-step turned the matter over and over in her mind and was so
absorbed that her partner wondered what the other girls had found so
attractive in this good-looking freshman who apparently could not
talk. However, when the music stopped Jean said very casually, "Will
you please tell me where the faculty alcove is?" and on being shown
she very slowly approached the corner. The dim lights revealed Miss
Hooper among a pile of cushions. She wondered how she could ever talk
to her and what she should say. When Miss Hooper perceived her she
called out, "Oh, Miss Cabot, come right in. I have been waiting for you
and hoping Miss Fairfax would not forget to deliver my message. Make
yourself comfortable here while we enjoy these delicious ices. First, I
want to talk to you about your charming cousin. We were interrupted the
other day before you had told me half I wanted to know."
Just then every light in the Gymnasium went out and left the place in
total darkness and a strong chorus burst into song.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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