response to the summons from within. "You people nod your heads at
everything I say."

Patty did use all the diplomacy at her command. Having dwelt touchingly
upon their long friendship, and their sorrow at being separated, she
passed lightly to the matter of their new room-mates.

"They are doubtless very nice girls," she ended politely, "only, you
see, Mrs. Trent, they don't match us; and it is extremely hard to
concentrate one's mind upon lessons, unless one has a congenial
room-mate."

Patty's steady, serious gaze suggested that lessons were the end of her
existence. A brief smile flitted over the Dowager's face, but the next
instant she was grave again.

"It is very necessary that we study this year," Patty added. "Priscilla
and I are going to college, and we realize the necessity of being
prepared. Upon the thorough foundation that we lay here, depends our
success for the next four years--for our whole lives you might say."

Conny jogged her elbow warningly. It was too patently a crib from Miss
Lord.

"And besides," Patty added hastily, "all my things are blue, and Mae has
a purple screen and a yellow sofa cushion."

"That is awkward," the Dowager admitted.

"We are used to living in Paradise Al--I mean, the West Wing--and we
shall--er--miss the sunsets."

The Dowager allowed an anxious silence to follow, while she thoughtfully
tapped the desk with her lorgnette. The three studied her face with
speculative eyes. It was a mask they could not penetrate.

"The present arrangement is more or less temporary," she commenced in
equable tones. "I may find it expedient to make some changes, and I may
not. We have an unusual number of new girls this year; and instead of
putting them together, it has seemed wisest to mix them with the old
girls. You three have been with us a long time. You know the traditions
of the school. Therefore--" The Dowager smiled, a smile partially tinged
with amusement--"I am sending you as missionaries among the newcomers. I
wish you to make your influence felt."

Patty straightened her back and stared.

"Our influence?"

"Your new room-mate," Mrs. Trent continued imperturbably, "is too
grown-up for her years. She has lived in fashionable hotels, and under
such conditions, it is inevitable that a girl should become somewhat
affected. See if you cannot arouse in Mae an interest in girlish sports.

"And you, Constance, are rooming with Irene McCullough. She is, as you
know, an on