“I’ll tell you what; I think I know how you can get it,” said Nels. “I know a chap, old fellow, one of the patrons. He always goes and he’s always alone. I don’t see why he wouldn’t take you—he’s not one of those old birds who goes in for young girls—not old enough I guess—and you’re quiet looking and everything. You know he ought to be proud to take you,” he ended up in what was for him a burst of enthusiasm, but Ruth was rather inclined to be offended. “Really, I’d much rather not go than to go in that way—” she began explaining. “Now don’t be foolish,” interrupted Dorothy. “You know that any one of us will go in any way possible. It doesn’t matter how we get there so long as we do get there. At the private view we’ll have a chance to really see the pictures and to hear the criticisms of the people whose opinion counts. Do be sensible and come with us.” “Of course I want to go, just as all of us do,” admitted Ruth, “but not badly enough to go as the unwelcome guest of a man I’ve never met.” “You don’t understand,” said Nels. “He won’t be taking you there, exactly. It’s just this way. He’s allowed one guest, I’ve never known him to bring one. Some one might just as well use that guest card. He’s a friend of mine and I’ll ask him for it. If it’s necessary for him to appear with you, we can all meet at the Academy. By the way, a private view is awfully dressy—have you got evening things?” Ruth wasn’t surprised at the question. She knew that lots of the students considered themselves lucky to possess one costume suitable for the street. She knew two girls who shared a studio and one evening gown together. They wore the gown turn about, and couldn’t both accept an invitation to the same party. Knowing these things she nodded without comment. “Of course, she has everything,” explained Dorothy. “Well, I haven’t you know—always put on my Latin quartier clothes, things I never dared wear in Paris, but they go big enough here, especially when worn by an exhibitor,” said Nels. “I don’t know what I shall wear—probably borrow a frock from some one.” “Would you—do you think you could wear one of mine?” asked Ruth hesitatingly. “D’you mean to say you’ve got two?” asked Dorothy with mock amazement. “If you think it can be arranged without too much trouble, I would like to go,” admitted Ruth. “Simplest thing in the world,” said Nels who was rather proud of his influential friend. The conversation about the water colour show drove thoughts of Gloria out of Ruth’s mind until she started homeward from the League. She wondered how Gloria would look, whether she would dare speak of the happening of the night before, whether Gloria would be shut in her own room and refuse to see her.