“Poor Mrs. Casey died Saturday from pneumonia.  Nora is heartbroken, and poor Pat Casey acts as though he knew not which way to turn.  Nora looks really refined in black,—­almost handsome.  She loved Mrs. Casey, who in spite of her peculiarities was a good wife and mother.  Later:  Mr. Casey wishes to take Nora away.  He suggested New York, so you may see her, etc.”

Then Ethel described Honora.

“It is strange but I can never like that girl.  There’s something about her that’s antagonistic to me, and yet when she comes here I must be polite and ask her to visit me.”

“If she’s in mourning she’ll not expect to meet people,” said Mrs. Hollister quickly, “nor to go to any places of amusement, thank heavens.”

“Oh, she’s very generous.  Probably she’d invite us, Mamma.  Well, poor Nora, she loved her mother.  I’m sorry for her.”

CHAPTER II

ETHEL ENTERS COLLEGE

The next morning Ethel Hollister walked up to Barnard and put in her application for admittance.  The following week upon her first examination she failed, but she entered the class with conditions.  The girl studied hard and soon made good.

She liked the girls of her class.  They were intelligent, athletic, and agreeable.

Her former friends and companions from La Rue’s declared that of late—­in fact, since she had become a Camp Fire Girl—­Ethel Hollister had developed fads.  This Barnard was one.  But as Ethel kept on steadily progressing in college, and she was so very young—­not yet seventeen—­people began to consider her a girl of great ability and intelligence.  Mrs. Hollister grew to be proud of hearing her praised on every side and Archibald seemed less worried over money matters.  She was rather glad that things had changed.  Perhaps it was all for the best, and people would respect them no less.

Grandmother never wearied of hearing her grandchild tell of her visit.  “And to think,” she’d say, “that Susan has had all the trouble she tells of and has made no sign.  How gladly would I have helped her.  Still, had I done so we would have had no house.  Well, the Lord knows what’s best.  We could only have offered her a home.  I’m glad the Insane Asylum was endowed and the boys educated before the crash came.”

Nora did not visit New York in the winter.  She went South with her father.  The girls—­Kate and Ethel—­corresponded, and in that way Ethel heard all of the news.  The Judge came often and took Patty and Kate on long motor trips.  Mattie was doing nicely.  She was employed in a Woman’s Exchange where she received twelve dollars a week and taught cooking and sewing.  Mollie was improving daily.  Mr. Hastings had a fine position with Judge Sands.  Honora was away, but the rest of the girls were as usual.  The Camp Fires met weekly and everyone missed Ethel, but no one missed her as did Aunt Susan.  “Why,” wrote Kate, “she says the light has gone out of her life, and Tom roams around disconsolate.  But,” she added, “you should see the up-to-date way in which he dresses.  He is the pink of fashion, I tell you.”