r. McAlister was contentedly ruffling
up his hair, while he monopolized the attention of a prominent
professor, who appeared altogether unconscious of the passing moments
and of the crowd of alumnae waiting for a word. Theodora smiled to
herself, as she caught an occasional phrase,--

"All the bromides--Grand antiseptic qualities--Your essay in the last
review."

Out on the stairs, Hope was in the midst of a gay crowd; and, quite at
the other side of the building, Hubert sat on the pedestal of the Dying
Gaul, with one arm thrown across the neck of the statue, while he talked
to the pretty young girl perched at his side.

Punctual to the moment, Billy appeared.

"Now let's get out of this," he said abruptly.

"Aren't you having a good time?" she questioned, with a little hurt
tone.

"Yes, fine. I struck some Cleveland girls; they're always pretty. But
now I want a breath of fresh air and a little sensible conversation.
Come along."

"Where?"

"Anywhere, as long as it's quiet."

She laughed, as she handed him her fan.

"I believe you're tired before I am, Billy."

"No; only I do want a little chance to see you. It's not as if I were
going to be at home, this summer."

She glanced at him sharply. Then she bit her lip a little, as she
followed him through the crowd at the door, and out upon the campus.

"This is pretty, for a fact, Ted," he said, breaking the silence. "Yale
can't show anything to beat this."

"That's very generous of you, Billy," she answered; but her tone lacked
its usual vivacity, and her step dragged slightly, as they moved away
together among the Chinese lanterns which edged the walks in double
line.

The crowd was here, too; but Billy steered her through it, past the
houses and the old gymnasium, and out to the far end of the campus. At
the steps of the observatory, he halted.

"It's quiet here, and we can get some good of the moon," he said. "Let's
sit down here, unless you are afraid of taking cold."

"The idea! I'm not an alum.; besides, it's a warm night."

"How will you stand two commencements, Ted?" he asked, settling himself
at her feet and turning to look up at her.

"Better than my gowns will," she said, showing him a long rent in her
skirt.

He laughed.

"You always were hard on your clothes, Teddy. I shall never forget the
sound of rending garments which heralded your first approach."

"Out of the apple-tree? I remember. I also remember the lecture Hope
gave me