“Let her strictly alone,” was Leila’s succinct advice. “She would not be grateful to us for our trouble.” “I can’t help agreeing with you, Leila,” Kathie said frankly. “Later she may thaw and decide she would like to know us. If that should happen, we’re not small-souled enough to resent past snubs.” “Neither do we belong to the Royal Order of the Doormat,” Leila retorted. “She will have to turn most gracious if my wounded Irish pride is to be soothed.” Leila’s accompanying grin indicated precisely how greatly her sensitive Irish pride had been hurt. “Do let us talk of something more interesting than that enigma,” Vera said with a patient sigh. “Why she should treat four learned P. G.’s and a member of the faculty as though they were presuming freshies and she a senior is something I shall not attempt to puzzle out. Where to this afternoon, children? How about straight north on Hamilton Highway with an evening stop for dinner at Orchard Inn?” A chorus of “Fine”; “Bully”; “Ducky” and “Right-o,” rose in answer to her solicitous inquiries. “Oh, dear; I wish I didn’t have to go home Wednesday,” came rather disconsolately from Marjorie. “I’m anxious to see Captain and General; as anxious as can be. But the work here is so fascinating!” “I don’t admire your choice of subject, either,” Vera declared critically. “All right. Miss Midget Mason. I’ll try not to mention it again,” Marjorie obligingly promised. “You seem to be another sensitive soul; something like Celtic Leila.” “Oh, I am,” Vera assured, then out rippled her merry little laugh. “Vera’s Own Variety,” Marjorie had playfully named it. “I’m overdue at home now. Can’t help it if the subject is painful to you, Midget. I have to say that much.” “Marjorie has a date with her superior officers. Robin’s overdue in Virginia. Two plus two make four. And the moral of that little sum, my dears, is: What’s the use in teasing ’em to stay?” propounded Kathie. “What, indeed? Since Robin must go and Kathie must stay what is to become of Midget and me?” Leila’s attempt at looking forlorn was short-lived. She could not keep a sober face. “Now what do you know that I don’t?” Marjorie demanded. Leila’s smiles were directed to her. “Listen to the witch woman, Leila.” The Irish girl reached for one of Marjorie’s hands and peered at the pink outspread palm. “You are going on a journey——” “Of course I am. I know that. Tell me something I don’t——” “Treat the seeress with more respect. You are going on a long journey in a car. Might it not be a roadster? You——” “Oh, see here. I can tell my own fortune as well as that,” objected Marjorie. “Not yet. Now be more civil. I am no ordinary person,” Leila rebuked. “On this journey you will be in the company of a small, fair woman. She is considered a good driver. Ha! I see also a tall, dark woman. She is Irish, and sits beside you in the tonneau. The journey is long, but——” “You said that before,” Kathie put in mischievously.