Part 2 (1/2)

Katherine poured oil on the troubled waters. ”You can meet here just as well. And maybe, as Alison says, we shall like her when we know her.

Don't let us judge her too hardly beforehand.”

”So charitable, Kathy always is,” murmured Evelyn.

Rachel changed the subject.

”Well--did you know we have a new English teacher?”

”No. What's her name?”

”Miss Burnett--Cecil Burnett. She's lovely. And she's to be at our table.”

”Are Helen Yorke and Brenda Thornton back?”

”Yes. I saw them this morning. As musical as ever. Oh, is that the supper bell? It can't be six o'clock already.”

”It seems it can--for it is,” said Alison, consulting her wrist watch and finding it correspond with the bell. ”I must go and see if my roommate is awake, and take her down to supper. Please be nice to her, girls. I don't know yet whether she is cross or just shy.” She gave the group an appealing look as she left the room, and Katherine answered it with a rea.s.suring smile.

But Joan shrugged her shoulders and made a face. She had not been prepossessed in favor of the new girl.

CHAPTER IV

ESSAYS AND ESSAYS

The dining room was a large, square, light room, filled with tables, each holding twelve. Alison piloted her roommate to a seat next to herself, at her old table, where Evelyn, Katherine and Joan were already seated, the rest of the group being at the next table. The new English teacher, Miss Burnett, presided--a pretty girl, not many years older than her prospective pupils. Brown-haired and brown-eyed, with a deep, soft rose color in her cheeks, she was exactly the type that girls a few years younger would naturally fall in love with on sight.

Accordingly, the group of girls at her table, running true to form, promptly ”fell for her” with schoolgirl unanimity; copied the way she did her hair, whether it was becoming to them or not, practiced her engaging smile, and even copied her clothes, as far as possible. Brown was her favorite color--a deep, rich brown that suited her eyes and hair and blended with the rose glow in her cheeks. This shade of brown promptly became popular.

Life at Briarwood soon settled into an accustomed routine of cla.s.ses, sports and recreation, and the days were full and busy. Miss Burnett had an eager cla.s.s, more interested in the study of their mother tongue than they had ever been before, simply because she taught it.

Toward Thanksgiving she gave them an essay contest, and Alison and her roommate became more congenial as they discussed subjects and t.i.tles.

But their tastes and ideas were very different.

”I don't believe I could write anything worth reading, but I'll try, because Miss Burnett wants us to,” said Alison, to whom the study of English was genuine enjoyment.

”And I'll try because I've got to,” responded Marcia with a wry face.

”Just let her hear you saying _got_, that's all,” laughed Alison, reaching for her book.

”I hate all lessons, but I believe I hate English worst of any,” said Marcia crossly. ”I don't see why we have to study it.”

”Why did you come to college, if you hate it so?” asked Alison curiously.

”Oh, because one must do something, I suppose.”

”But why do you take English?”