Thomas was quite fierce.

"Why, yes. I think he's awfully nice. I--I don't know him very well,"
said Nancy, in astonishment.

"Hum. Well, he's a nice fellow. Clever chap. Elizabeth dotes on him,
but he doesn't let her think for him. But he's not good enough for
you. You go along to college. If you won't get any silly notions
about marrying and all that nonsense, I--I'll--well, maybe I'll give
you a lift here and there, though it's strictly against my principles."
After which involved and very cryptic remark Uncle Thomas stiffly
offered her his cheek to kiss, and sent her to bed.

CHAPTER XI

ALMA MAKES COMPLICATIONS

Charlotte was sitting in the easy chair which she had imported to her
new lodging with the rest of her belongings, munching peanuts. Her
bushy brown hair was pinned up into a droll little "nubbin" on top of
her head, her goggles had slipped down almost to the tip of her nose,
and altogether her attitude, when Nancy burst in upon her late on
Sunday afternoon, gave evidence that she was in a thoughtful mood. She
had often said that peanuts always disposed her to meditation. With
her feet on the window-seat she gazed out upon a rather dreary scene of
fog and rain, hardly blinking her big, heavy-lidded eyes, and devouring
peanuts like an automaton. But the unchanging gravity of her face, as
she turned around to greet her prodigal roommate, told Nancy that there
was really some serious matter on her friend's mind.

"Hello! Have a good time?" was her only greeting.

"Very. Did you like the play yesterday? I--I hope you understood why
I--I mean after I had told you that I had to stay here----"

"Nancy, you know you don't have to explain anything to me. If you
couldn't go with me, don't you suppose that I knew that you had your
own reasons for not going?" interrupted Charlotte warmly. "My idea of
real 'bosom friends,' as they call 'em, is of two people who know when
not to bother each other with questions.

"The reason why most of these ardent school-girl friendships come to
violent deaths is because they _will_ insist on telling each other
everything, and demanding an explanation for every why and wherefore.
And that's that. Take off your things and have a peanut--or even two,
if you like."

Nancy tossed her hat on the bed and began to take off her heavy clothes.

"You seemed sort of grave, Charlotte, when I came in. Has anything
happened?" she asked, as she slipped into her