It was evening and Miss Day, Miss Marsh and Nancy Banister had all
come in for a few minutes to see Priscilla on their way to their own
rooms.
"Do come and cocoa with me to-night, Miss Peel," said Miss Day.
"You're so dreadfully unsociable, not a bit like an ordinary St.
Benet's girl. If you go on in this fashion, you'll be moped to death
before your first term is over."
"I am accustomed to a very quiet life," responded Priscilla, "and I
want to work; I have come here to work."
"Dear, dear! any one would suppose you were going in for a tripos. If
this were your last term I could understand it-- but your first!"
It was Miss Marsh who said these words. She was a bright-eyed,
merry-looking girl, the reverse of over-studious herself.
"Oh, come along, dear; I'll give you such a delicious cup of cocoa,"
said Miss Day.
She crossed the room and tried to link her hand affectionately in
Prissie's arm. Miss Peel drew back a step.
"Thank you," she said, "but I-- I-- cannot come."
"I must say you have a blunt way of refusing," said Miss Day. She felt
inclined to be offended, but Nancy Banister, who was standing by and
had not hitherto spoken, bestowed a quick glance of approval on
Priscilla and then said something soothing to Miss Day.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68