“Good old Frances,” beamed Mabel.  “You heard me calling and came on the run, didn’t you?  This is the noblest junior of them all, my dear freshmen.  Her name is Frances Veronica Marlton.  Doesn’t that sound like the heroine’s name in one of the six best sellers?” Mabel introduced the three girls in turn.  “Now let us be on our way,” she commanded, looking up and down the station platform at the fast dissolving groups of girls.  “I don’t see any more stray lambs.  I think the committee appointed to meet the freshmen has fulfilled its mission.  And now for your hotel.  It is past dinner time and I know you are hungry and anxious to rest.”

Picking up Grace’s bag she led the way through the station followed by Grace and Miriam.  Anne walked behind them with Frances Marlton.  The little company set off down the main street of the college town at a swinging pace.  It was a wide, beautiful street, shaded by tall maples.  The houses that lined it were for the most part old-fashioned and the wayfarers caught alluring glimpses of green lawns dotted with flower beds as they walked along.

“It makes me think of High School Street in Oakdale!” Grace exclaimed.  “If ever I feel that I’m going to be homesick, I’ll just walk down this street and make believe that I’m at home!  That will be the surest cure for the blues, if I get them.”

Mabel Ashe, who was now walking between Grace and Miriam, looked at Grace rather speculatively.  “You won’t get them,” she predicted.  “You’ll have so many other things to think of, you won’t think of yourself at all.  Here we are at the college campus.  Over there is Overton Hall.”

The eyes of the newcomers were at once focussed on the stately gray stone building that stood in the center of a wide stretch of green campus, shaded by great trees.  At various points of the campus were situated smaller buildings which Mabel Ashe pointed out as Science Hall, the gymnasium, laboratory, library and chapel.  In Overton Hall, Mabel explained, were situated certain recitation rooms, the offices of the president, the dean and other officials of the college.  Around the campus were the various houses in which the more fortunate of the hundreds of students lived.  It was very desirable to secure a room in one of these houses, but somewhat expensive and not always easy to do.  Rooms were sometimes spoken for a whole year in advance.

“Do you room on the campus?” asked Grace.

“Yes,” replied Mabel.  “I live at Holland House.  I was fortunate enough to have a friend graduate from here and will me her room.  I entered Overton the autumn following her graduation.”

“One of our Oakdale girls is a junior here,” remarked Grace.  “Her name is Constance Fuller.  She graduated from high school when we were sophomores.  We do not know her very well, and had quite forgotten she was here.  This afternoon on the train, Anne, who never forgets either faces or names, suddenly announced the fact.  I wonder if she has arrived yet.  We came early, I believe, but that is because we are obliged to take the entrance examinations.”