CHAPTER XVII.
A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE.
Just about this time a new figure appeared at Wellington College. Shewas known as "inspector of dormitories," and her office was mainlysanitary, and did not infringe on the duties of the matrons. The newinspector lodged at Queen's, since there was an empty room in thatestablishment, and her name was Miss Steel.
"If she had had her choice of all the names in the English language, shecould not have chosen a more suitable one," remarked Judy who had takena violent dislike to Miss Steel from the first.
She was indeed a steel-like person, steely eyes, steel-gray hair, pale,thin lips, and at her belt metallic chains from which jangled notebookand pencil. When she spoke, which was rarely, her voice was sharp andincisive, and cut the air like a knife. But her most objectionablequality, the girls thought, was that she never made any sound when shewalked, the reason being that she had rubber heels on her shoes.
The first real encounter the girls had with Miss Steel was at aThanksgiving Eve spread given by the combined G. F. Society, most ofthe members having received bountiful Thanksgiving boxes from home.Nance's neglected and lonely father had sent her a five-pound box ofcandy in lieu of the usual box, which takes a woman to plan and pack,and Judy's devoted parents, always on the fly, had shipped hera box of fruit. All the others had received regular boxes full ofThanksgiving cheer, and the feast was to be a grand one. Each memberinvited guests, and by general vote extra ones were asked: FrancesAndrews, who declined because she was going away, and two freshmen wholived in the village, and were working their way through college.Judith Blount was to be there by invitation of pretty Jessie Lynch,and Molly had invited Mary Stewart.
Most of the girls wore fancy costumes, and Molly's and Nance's largeroom was the scene of an extravaganza. The feast was piled on four studytables placed in an unbroken row and covered with a white cloth.
Jessie had worn her famous ballet costume, and was as pretty as a littlecaptive sprite. Judith was in a gorgeous Turkish dress consisting offull yellow silk trousers, a tunic of transparent net and embroideredTurkish slippers. Nance wore her Scotch costume, and at the last minuteMolly, who had been too busy even to think of a costume all day, dressedherself up charmingly like a Tyrolean peasant in what she could collectfrom the other girls.
A great many of the guests had arrived and the room was filled whena chambermaid appeared in the doorway with a tray of cards.
"Some gentlemen to call, Miss," she said, endeavoring not to smile ata Little Boy Blue and a Little Lord Fauntleroy, who were waltzingtogether.
There were four cards on the tray: "Mr. Edwin Green," "Mr. GeorgeTheodore Green," "Andrew McLean, 2d," and "Mr. Lawrence Upton."
"Well, of all the strange times to pay a call," exclaimed Molly. "Willyou say that we are very sorry, but we must be excused this evening,"she said to the maid.
The servant bowed and slipped away, while all the girls in the roompounced on the cards.
"Well, I never! Four beaux, and one of them a professor!" cried Jessie,showing the cards to Judith.
"Miss Brown could hardly claim Cousin Edwin as a beau," said Judith, herblack eyes snapping. "His younger brother, George, often drags him intothings, and poor Cousin Edwin consents to go because George is sotimid, but as for paying a social call on a freshman, even the mostself-confident freshman could hardly regard a visit from him as that."
"I don't regard it as that," ejaculated Molly.
She was not accustomed to sharp-tongued people, and it was reallydifficult for her to deal with them properly, as Judy could, and Nance,too. But she forced herself to remember that Judith was a guest in herroom, and was about to partake of some of her good Kentucky fare. Sheturned away without saying another word, and fortunately the maid cameback just then and relieved the strained situation.
"The gentlemen say they must see you, ma'am," she said; "and if youwon't come down to them, they'll just come upstairs."
"What?" cried a chorus of girls.
Suddenly there was a wild scramble on the stairs; shouts of laughter,a sound of heavy boots thumping along the hall, and four tall young menburst into the room. There were shrieks from disappearing Boy Bluesand Fauntleroys, who endeavored to cover their extremities with sofacushions, the captive sprite rushed into a closet and a wild scene ofdisorder and pandemonium followed.
"Don't be frightened, ladies," said the tallest young man, who worecorrect evening clothes, from his opera hat and pearl studs to hispointed patent leather pumps. His hair was light and curly, and he hada long yellow mustache, like Lord Dundreary's.
"Ladies! ladies! why all this excitement?" called another of thequartette, dressed in full black and white checked trousers, a shorttan overcoat, a red tie and a brown derby.
The third young man wore a smoking jacket and white duck trousers, andthe fourth was dressed in an English golf suit and visored cap.
"Oh, you villains!" cried Jessica, popping her head out of the closet."You have frightened us almost to death. Do you think I wouldn't knowyou, Margaret Wakefield, even in that sporting suit. Come over here andshow yourself!"
The bogus gentlemen were indeed three of the evening's hostesses and oneof the guests. Mary Stewart wore the evening clothes, borrowed from herbrother for a senior play to take place shortly. Judy had on the golfsuit, Sallie Marks the dinner coat and Margaret the rakish sportingcostume.
"But where did you get the cards?" asked Judith, ashamed of herself, nowthat the visitors' real identity was disclosed.
"I wrote to Dodo and asked him for them," answered Judy, giving hera look, as much as to say, "What affair is it of yours?"
After the banquet was commenced and the fun waxed fast and furious,there was a cakewalk at the last, with a box of "cloud-bursts" as theprize, the eight hostesses taking turns as judges.
"After this wild orgy, I think we'd better be leaving," said MaryStewart. "It's getting cold and late, but we've had a glorious time.Will you permit a gentleman to kiss you on the cheek, Molly?"
"That I will," answered Molly, "and proud of the honor."
Slipping on a skirt and a long ulster, Mary took her departure withJudith and the other girls, who did not have rooms at Queen's, andpretty soon the party had disbanded.
"I'll stay and help you gather up the loaves and fishes," Judyannounced. "It'll soon be ten, but we can hang a dressing gown over thetransom and draw the blinds and no one will know the difference justthis once," she added, proceeding to carry out her ideas of deception.
"I'm still hungry," observed Nance. "I had to wait on so many people Ididn't have a chance to eat any supper myself."
"So am I famished," said Molly; "but I was ashamed to confess it."
"I'd like a cup of hot tea," observed Judy, who had waited on nobody butherself.
"When Mrs. Markham comes around," cautioned Nance, "in case she knockson the door, one of us be ready to put out the light. Judy, you slipinto the closet. She's been known to come in, you know, after one ofthese jamborees."
"Mrs. Markham's away," answered Judy. "'Steel beads' is taking her placeuntil after Thanksgiving."
The girls munched their sandwiches and talked in low voices. Suddenlythere was a sharp rap on the door. Instantly the light went out andthere was dead silence. Judy, crawling on all fours toward the closet,was about to conceal herself behind protecting skirts, when the rap wasrepeated.
"Well, what is it?" called Nance, the boldest among them, "the light isout."
There was no answer and the rap was not repeated.
The girls waited a few moments, and then cautiously lighting a student'slamp with a green shade, proceeded with their supper. Judy looked at herwatch. It was a quarter of eleven.
Again they were interrupted. This time by some pebbles thrown againstthe window.
Molly raised the sash softly and gazed down into the darkness below.
"What is it?" she called.
"It's Margaret," answered a voice from the yard. "For the love ofheaven, can't y
ou let me in? I'll explain afterward. I wouldn't mindringing up Mrs. Markham, but I'm afraid of that Steel woman."
"Wait a minute," answered Molly, and closing the window, she turned toconsult with the others.
"There's nothing to be done but to go down," they decided, and Mollyinsisted on being the sacrificial lamb. Judy made her slip on hernightgown over her dress, and her dressing gown over that, in order toappear in the proper guise in case anything happened.
But they were doomed to another shock that night.
Just as Molly opened the door she came face to face with Miss Steelstanding outside in the hall.
"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Molly politely, feeling thankful she hadput on her nightgown, "I thought I heard a noise outside."
"You seem to be sitting up very late to-night, Miss Brown," said MissSteel, looking at her coldly. "I was told to enforce the ten o'clockrule in Mrs. Markham's absence, and I must ask you to get to bed atonce, unless you wish to be reported."
"I'm sorry," said Molly.
The woman seemed unnecessarily stern, she thought, because, after all,this was not a boarding school, but a college. However, she went back,and closed and bolted the door. In her heart she felt a contempt for anyone who would creep about and listen at people's doors. Mrs. Markhamwould have been incapable of it.
Just then there came another pebble against the window.
Judy crept to the window this time.
"Wait, Margaret," she called. "Miss Steel is about."
There was perfect stillness for several long black minutes. The threegirls sat in a row on the floor listening with strained ears and toJudy at least the adventure was not without its enjoyment. At last theyfelt that it might be safe to act. Taking off their shoes they movednoiselessly to the window and looked down. There stood the courageousMargaret in full view on the roof of the piazza. She had actuallyshinned up one of the pillars, which was not such a difficult feat asit might seem, as the railing around the piazza had placed her withinreach of the wooden grillwork and swinging onto that she had drawnherself up to the roof. She had skinned her wrist and stumped one ofher stockinged toes, having removed her shoes and hidden them underthe house, but she appeared now the very figure of courage and action,waiting for the next move. The three girls stood looking down at her ina state of fearful uncertainty as to what should be done next, and asif this were not exciting enough, three light telegraphic taps wereheard on the door.
"That's not Miss Steel," whispered Judy.
"Who is it," she called softly through the keyhole.
"Jessie," came the answer.
Instantly the door was opened and Jessie crept in.
"Miss Steel is up," she whispered. "I saw her on the landing below justnow. Be careful. I am scared to death because Margaret hasn't comeback."
For an answer, they led her to the window and pointed to the shadowyfigure of her roommate on the piazza roof.
Because Molly had conceived a dislike and distrust for Miss Steel, shemade up her mind to outwit her and save her friend. She reflected thatif Margaret tried any of the girls on the second floor whose windowsopened on the roof, she might get in but she would still have the thirdflight to make and as the stairs creaked at every step, it would be adifficult matter. Fortunately Miss Steel's room was on the other side ofthe hall.
"I have a scheme," she whispered at last. "Now, don't any one move. Ican manage it without making a sound."
There was a ball of twine on the mantelpiece. Thank heavens for that.She tied one end to the back of a cane chair, which she let slowly outof the window. Then, snipping off the end of the cord, she gave it toNance to hold. Another chair, which was fortunately smaller, she letdown in the same way and finally a stool. Margaret placed one on top ofthe other, mounted the precarious and toppling pyramid, and with thestrength of arm and wrist which showed her gymnasium training, pulledherself to the window sill and was in the room.
"Be quiet," they whispered. "Miss Steel is about."
The four girls lay down on the couches and waited a long time. Judyreally fell asleep in the interval before they dared risk pulling backthe chairs. It was, in fact, a risky business, and had to be donecautiously and carefully to keep them from bumping against the walls ofthe house. At last, however, the whole thing was accomplished.
Margaret explained that she had gone over to one of the other houses toreturn the clothes she had borrowed and had joined another Thanksgivingparty and stayed longer than she had intended. They also had been heldup by the matron, and had been obliged to put out the lights and hideeverything under the bed. She had escaped from the house by a miraclewithout being found out, and had trusted to luck and her friends forgetting into Queen's unobserved.
And now, at last, the adventure was almost over. After anotherinterminable wait, Judy and Margaret and Jessie crept off to theirrooms.
Judy's door was still ajar when she saw a flash of light on the stairs,which heralded the approach of Miss Steel, still fully clothed, andwalking noiselessly as usual. Judy closed her door and locked it softly.
"Only a spy would wear felt slippers," she said to herself scornfully.Then she laughed. "It was rather good fun to be sure, but would it havemattered so much, after all, if Margaret had boldly come in at the frontdoor and explained?"
They would never have gone to all that trouble to deceive nice Mrs.Markham, her thoughts continued as she removed her manly attire, butMiss Steel was different.
As for Molly, her thoughts were about the same as Judy's.
"A lady doesn't creep," she was thinking, as she thankfully crawled intobed; "a lady doesn't listen at doors or wear soundless slippers in orderto walk like a cat. No, Miss Steel is decidedly not a lady."
And when Molly came to this decision about a person, she avoided themcarefully ever afterward. Her definition of a "lady" was about the sameas a man's definition of a "gentleman." It had nothing whatever to dowith birth or education.