"I hate mathematics," Jennie affirmed, with an impatient shrug,
"but the things you most dislike are supposed to do you the most
good, so I just have to bottle up when it's time for algebra and
try to play 'it's an angel being entertained unawares.' Good-by,
Miss Minturn. I'll see you again later." And bestowing a bright
glance and nod upon her new friend, she shut the door and went
whistling cheerily down the hall.
"That's a queer 'pickaninny'! I didn't mean to hurt her, though,"
observed Miss Minot, as she curled herself up on the foot of a
bed, preparatory to getting acquainted with her new roommate.
"She certainly possesses originality," Katherine laughingly
responded; "but I like her none the less for that."
"Poor young one!" Sadie continued. "She doesn't have a very easy
time of it here. She is a stray waif, and hasn't a relative in the
world, to her knowledge."
"She spoke of an aunt," interposed Katherine.
"She calls Miss Wild 'aunt,' but she isn't, really, and the child
actually does not know her own name. The way of it was this," Miss
Minot went on to explain: "When she was a baby there was a
terrible railway accident, in which it was supposed both her
parents were killed, for nobody could be found to claim the child
after it was over; and Miss Wild, an old maid with a small
annuity, was on the same train, and, like an angel, cared for her,
hoping some relative would be found when the dead were identified;
but no clew to her identity was ever obtained, and the woman has
done the best she could for her all these years."
"How very lovely and noble of Miss Wild," breathed Katherine,
appreciatively. Then, glancing around the disorderly room, she
added: "Now, Miss Minot, I feel almost like an intruder to have
you so upset on my account. Do let me help you put some of these
things away."
"Oh, never mind the truck," Sadie lazily returned. "I'll take care
of the things presently. I'm right glad that you are a junior,"
she resumed, in a comfortable tone. "It is so much nicer to have a
roommate who can go right along with you, and I'm sure you'll be a
great help to me."
Katherine smiled as her companion thus unwittingly revealed a
strong phase of her character. She saw that her tendency was to
lean upon the nearest prop; and, as to be "forewarned is to be
forearmed," she resolved to govern herself accordingly.
They chatted socially until the janitor appeared with Katherine's
trunk, whereupon Sadie bestirred herself once more to bring order
out of chaos.
This was much easier said than done, and as she saw that she was
going to be very much crowded, Katherine unpacked but very few
things at that time. She generously said she would try to get
along with one-third of the closet and one of the drawers in the
bureau, and utilize her trunk trays for her own waists and finery,
while she could stow things not often needed in the lower portion.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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