CHAPTER IX
ANTICIPATIONS
The day of the sophomore reception was a busy one for the members of thesophomore class. To them, it was the event of the year, and the desireto make this dance outshine all its predecessors was paramount in almostevery sophomore breast. Of course, there were the digs, who neverthought of festivities, but spent all their time in study. No onecounted on their help. The greater part of the class, however, wasproperly enthusiastic over the music, decorations, gowns and dancecards. Grace and Miriam, who were on the decorating committee, had spentthe greater part of their day in the gymnasium. Under the skilfuldirection of the committee the big room blossomed out in strange andgorgeous array. There were the masses of evergreen so convenient forhiding unsightly gymnasium apparatus, which made the gymnasium averitable forest green. Strings of Japanese lanterns added to theeffect, while the freshmen and sophomore colors impartially wound thegallery railing and were draped and festooned wherever there was theslightest chance for display.
The sophomores had put forth their best efforts in behalf of theirfreshman sisters. When it came to sofa cushions and draperies they hadsurrendered their most highly treasured possessions for the good of thecause.
"I think we may congratulate ourselves," commented Gertrude Wells as shestood beside Miriam Nesbit, surveying their almost completed task. "Lookat my hands! I have scratched and bruised them handling thoseevergreens. My dress is a sight, too," she added, pointing first to thegreen stains that decorated her white linen gown, then significantly toa three-cornered tear near the bottom of the skirt. "I don't care. Itwill be out of style by next summer, at any rate."
"I'm not much better off," declared Miriam. "You can't be a workingwoman and keep up a bandbox appearance, you know."
"I should say not," laughed Arline Thayer, who had come up in time tohear Miriam's last remark.
"Does any one know the time?" asked Grace, standing back a little toview the effect of the bunting she had been winding about a post. "Ican't see the gym. clock from here. It is so swathed in green boughs anddecorations that its poor round face is almost hidden, and I'm reallytoo tired to go close enough to find out."
"It's five minutes past four o'clock," informed Gertrude, glancing atthe tiny watch pinned to her waist.
"Good gracious!" exclaimed Arline Thayer, "I can't stay here anotherminute. I have a hundred things to do before to-night."
"Where's Ruth?" asked Grace. "I haven't seen either of you lately exceptat an aggravating distance."
Arline's baby face hardened. "I haven't seen Ruth for over two weeks,"she said stiffly.
"You haven't!" exclaimed Grace, who, stooping to tie her shoe, had notnoticed Arline's changed expression. As she straightened up hersurprised gray eyes met Arline's defiant blue ones. Like a flash sheremembered. "Then you don't know who she has invited to the reception?"
"No," responded Arline shortly. "I don't know anything about it."
Grace was about to say something further when, overtaken by suddenthought, she turned her face away to hide the smile that hovered abouther lips. Meanwhile, Gertrude Wells had engaged Arline in conversation,and Ruth's name was not mentioned again.
"This is positively my last appearance this afternoon as a decorator,"declared Emma Dean. "I'm going home to beautify myself for the greatmoment when I shall stand in line with my sophomore sisters to greet theinfant freshmen."
"I'm going home, too, but without bursting into language," drawled J.Elfreda Briggs. "I pounded my thumb with a hammer, scratched my nose onan obstinate hemlock bough, and lost a bran span new pair of scissors. Ithink it is high time to leave this place. I'm not on the receptioncommittee, 'tis true, but I have weighty matters to consider and am onthe verge of a perilous undertaking." She uttered the last words in anall too familiar undertone, shooting a mischievous glance at her friendswhich caused Grace, Anne and Miriam to laugh outright.
"What are you girls laughing at?" demanded Gertrude Wells.
"Elfreda is so funny," explained Grace enigmatically. Then, fearing tooffend Gertrude, she said hastily, "What she said was extremelylaughable to us, because she was imitating some one we know."
The knot of girls separated soon after, going their separate ways. Anne,Grace, Miriam, Elfreda and Emma Dean turned their faces toward WayneHall.
"I wonder if Ruth is going?" remarked Grace, who walked behind Anne. "Ithought we'd see her this afternoon."
"I noticed how sharply Arline answered you," said Anne significantly.
"Poor Ruth, I haven't a minute to spare or I'd run down there. We mustgo to-morrow afternoon, Anne. We'll take Ruth to Vinton's for dinnerand, oh, Anne! let's invite Arline and make them be friends!"
"Splendid!" admired Anne. "I'll take charge of Ruth and you can look outfor Arline."
"If you don't hurry, you'll be ready for the reception some timeto-morrow," called Elfreda derisively. The two quickened their steps.The three girls ahead looked back, then mischievously began runningtoward Wayne Hall.
"We can catch them, Anne," exulted Grace.
"You mean you can," laughed Anne. "Run ahead and surprise them."
Grace was off like the wind. Although the three girls ran well they wereno match for the lithe, slender young woman who ran like a hunted deer.She soon passed her friends and running on to the hall sat down on thesteps with no apparent traces of exhaustion to wait for them.
"Let me see, what track team did you say you belonged to?" quizzedElfreda, with open admiration. "If I could run like that I'd be happy.Where did you learn to run?"
"Back in Oakdale, where I was the prize tomboy of the school," laughedGrace. "Have you seen to your flowers for your freshman? I ordered pinkroses for Miss Evans. Anne chose violets for Miss Taylor, didn't you,Anne?"
"I ordered violets for Miss Wilton, too," said Miriam.
"I tried to get snap dragons," giggled Elfreda, "but it's rather late inthe season for them. Instead, the Anarchist will flourish a nosegay ofblood-red roses. I can't imagine her parading around the gym. bedeckedwith violets."
"Elfreda, you are anything but a chivalrous escort," commented Anne.
"I am at least sincere," returned Elfreda, with an affected simper. "Ihope those flowers haven't loitered along the way. I must call on myfair lady and see if she has received hers. I'm beginning to feelexcited. I'm going to eat my dinner post haste. I want to get dressedand practice my bow before the mirror ere I enter the sacred precinctsof her majesty's boudoir. Then I shall sweep into her domicile, arrayedin all my glory. She will be so overcome at sight of me and my splendorthat she will follow me down to the carriage like a lamb. I ask you,ladies, after seeing me in that new white silk gown of mine, whatAnarchist could resist me?"
"Of whom did Elfreda remind you just then, Grace?" asked Miriam.
"Hippy," laughed Grace. "She looked exactly like him."
"Never saw him," stated Elfreda laconically.
"But you gave a fine imitation of him just the same!" exclaimed Grace.