ration for Viola that, to Dorothy
and Tavia, observing the wonderful mother-love, it seemed like
something inhuman, divine perhaps, or was it a physical weakness?

They noticed that Mrs. Green used her smelling salts freely, she often
pressed her hand to her head, and seemed much like a person too
delicate to travel.

"Are you all right, momsey?" Viola would ask continually. "I do wish
you had not risked coming."

"But I could not allow you to travel all alone," the mother would
answer with a delightful foreign accent. "And you know, my daughter,
that father was too busy."

"But, momsey, do not sit up if you are tired," cautioned Viola. "Just
lie back and try to be comfortable."

"I am enjoying every word you speak," declared the little woman,
inhaling her salts. "You and your charming friends."

Dorothy had never seen so wonderful a mother--to actually hang on her
daughter's frivolous nonsense. And the attention was a positive tonic
to Tavia's chatter. She said such amusing things and saw such
ridiculous comparisons--the kind little children surprise their elders
with.

To Dorothy, who had never known a mother's affection (she was such a
tot when her own dear mother left her), this devotion appeared to be
nothing short of marvelous. Tavia thought it unusual--Viola seemed
worried when it became too extreme. Then she would urge her mother to
rest and not excite herself over foolish schoolgirl talk. Even such an
admonition from a mere daughter did not appear to bother the strange
little woman, with the almost glaring black eyes. Tavia observed this
peculiarity, then made a mental observation that whatever ailed Viola
might have to do with a similar affliction on the mother's
part--perhaps a family weakness!

As they journeyed on Dorothy found it very pleasant to talk with Mrs.
Green and so left Viola and Tavia pretty much to themselves.

Numbers of Glenwood girls were picked up at various stations, and, as
each was espied, the chair car party hailed them, Viola being
acquainted with the last year's girls. Before the last station--some
twenty miles from the destination of the students--had been struck off
the time-table, there were actually twelve "Glenwoods," aboard. Those
from Dalton felt just a bit "green" Tavia admitted, never before having
mingled with a boarding school "tribe," but on the whole the scholars
were very sociable and agreeable, and made all sorts of promises for
future good times.