ng woman with wide-opened blue eyes and a babyish expression, coming
toward her. The latter was burdened with a heavy seal traveling case and
a bag of golf sticks. She had evidently emerged from the coach behind
the one from which Nella and her two companions had come. As she
advanced, she gazed about her with a slightly perplexed air.

"Pardon me." Marjorie had stepped instantly to her side. "Are you a
freshman? I am Marjorie Dean, of the sophomore class, and hope I can be
of service to you. I am one of a sophomore committee to welcome arriving
freshmen."

"Oh, thank you. Delighted, I'm sure, to know you, Miss Dean." The
newcomer's conventionally courteous tone conveyed no particular
enthusiasm. "Yes; I am a freshman. At least, I hope so. I have one exam.
to try. I flunked in geometry at the prep school I attended last year.
Had a tutor all summer. Guess I'll scrape through this time."

"I hope you will," Marjorie made sincere return. She half offered a hand
to the other girl. The latter did not appear to see it. She clung
tightly to her bag of golf sticks and traveling case. Far from paying
undivided attention to Marjorie, her wide blue eyes roved over the
platform, the light of curiosity strong within them.

"Hamilton must be a slow old college if it can't show more of a station
mob than this," she remarked, almost disdainfully. "I mean it must be
rather well--humdrum. I was at Welden Prep last year. It is a mighty
lively school. It takes the Welden girls to properly mob the station.
Oh, we were a gay crowd, I can tell you! Awfully select, you know, but
really full of life."

"You will find Hamilton lively enough, I believe. It is early yet. A few
of us are back earlier than usual. Not more than a fifth of the students
have returned yet." Marjorie's tone was kindly. She made a patient
effort to keep reserve out of it. Her first impression of the
dissatisfied freshman was not pleasing.

"Oh, I see, I am glad there is hope." The girl gave a vacant little
laugh. "I do so hate anything slow or poky or stupid. I had supposed
Hamilton to be very smart and exclusive, or I wouldn't have chosen to
come here."

"It is a very fine college. There is no better faculty in the country,
and the college itself is ideally located. You cannot help but love the
campus. At which house are you to live?" Marjorie chose not to discuss
Hamilton from the freshman's point of view.

"Alston Terrace. Is it an interesting house to live i