“Do; then I shall believe that Washington was no fairy tale. When I was a little girl didn’t I believe that he belonged in an American fairy tale? It was my old nurse who told me that he was an American king who had cut down one hundred cherry trees at a stroke and who went to war in an invisible coat of mail so that he was never hurt. She had ideas of her own about him.” Leila gave an enjoying chuckle. It was the signal for more chuckles from her companions. It was difficult to say which was more diverting, Leila’s droll remarks, or her inimitable manner of making them. A brief lull in the conversation followed laughter. Marjorie broke it. She said with sudden irrelevance: “I’m not curious to know Miss Susanna’s grievance against the Board. I only wish it could be adjusted. It doesn’t seem right that Mr. Brooke Hamilton, who gave his time and heart and soul and spirit to such a noble enterprise, should remain a mystery. Miss Susanna feels so about it at times. She has said so to me. But there are more times when she doesn’t; when she thinks only of her own grievance,” Marjorie ended ruefully. “That’s the most I ever heard you say on such a ticklish subject, Beauty.” Seated beside her in the tonneau, Leila laid a light hand over one of Marjorie’s. “I don’t know whether it is the most I’ll ever say, or not,” Marjorie responded. “I’d rather not say it to Miss Susanna, but I would if I felt that I should,” she continued with honest conviction. Kathie, occupying one of the small seats of the tonneau, now leaned forward. “Professor Wenderblatt told me the other day that there had been several changes made in Board members since Miss Susanna’s disagreement with them. I wonder if she knows it?” she said speculatively. “If she doesn’t, and were to be told of it, perhaps it might make a difference in her attitude.” “I’ve never mentioned the Board to her. She has always spoken of it first to me, and then not often. I’m sure it would displease her if I were to speak of it first to her. It’s too hard a matter for me to decide just now. She’s been generous to Hamilton through us in the way Mr. Brooke would have been. I couldn’t bear to displease her. It would seem so ungrateful. On the other hand, there’s our Alma Mater. We children should stand bravely for her welfare,” Marjorie reasoned loyally. “I believe it will all work out for the best.” Katherine was steadily hopeful of tone. “I think what Epictetus said about such conditions is consoling. He said: ‘Do not choose to have all things happen as you would have them happen, but rather choose to have them happen as they will. Then shall the current of your life flow free.’” “Thank you, Kathie.” Marjorie’s half pensive features brightened wonderfully. “That’s an inspiring quotation, and I shall learn it this instant so as to have it handy to cheer me when I need to be ‘chirked’ up, as Delia our maid says. Please repeat it, and slowly.”