Sallie unbuttoned the last layer of sweater and drew out a pile of mail which she distributed, calling the name of each girl. "Molly Brown," she called, handing Molly a letter from Kentucky. "Miss Sen, a letter from the Land of the Rising Sun. I hope it will rise warmer there than it set here this evening. Miss Jessie Lynch, a letter addressed in the handwriting of a male. Ahem! Miss Lynch, another letter in the same handwriting of presumably the same male." Much laughter among those not already absorbed in letters. "Miss Margaret Wakefield, an official document from the capital of these United States of America. Miss Julia S. Kean, a parental epistle which no doubt contains other things. Miss Molly Brown, who appears to be secretly purchasing a farm." Sallie handed Molly a long envelope, while the others snatched their letters and turned away. Only Nance had received no mail that day; yet, more than any girl there, she enjoyed corresponding and sent off weekly voluminous letters to her father, her only correspondent except Andy McLean, who was not yet considered strong enough to write letters. It was with something very near to envy that she watched the faces of her friends as they waded through long family letters with an occasional laugh or comment: "It's been ten below at home." "Father forgot to put in my check. He's getting very thoughtless." "My wandering parents are going to Florida. They can't stand the cold in New York." "Here's a state of things," exclaimed Edith, "another book bill for books that were burned. Isn't that the limit?" "Yes, and you'll borrow from me again," said Katherine. "And I shall refuse to lend you another cent. You are getting entirely too crazy about buying books." Nobody took any notice of this sisterly dialogue which went on continuously and never had any real meaning, because in the end Katherine always paid her sister's debts. Nance's gaze shifted to Molly, who might have been turned into a graven image, so still was she sitting. She had not opened the letter from home, but the long envelope from the real estate company lay at her feet. In one hand she held a typewritten letter and in the other a long blue slip of paper which, beyond a doubt, was a check. Picking up the envelope, Molly gave a covert glance around the absorbed circle and slipped the check inside. Then she noticed Nance gazing at her curiously. She smiled, and then began to laugh so joyously that everybody stopped reading and regarded her almost anxiously. There was a peculiar ring of excitement in her voice. "Molly, hasn't something awfully nice happened to you?" asked Nance. "Why, yes," she answered, "to tell the truth, there has." "What is it? What is it?" cried the chorus of voices. Molly hesitated and blushed, and laughed again. "I don't think you would believe it if I were to tell you," she said. "It's too absurd. I can hardly believe it myself, even after reading the letter and seeing the--the----"