"I want to tell you something," she panted. "Come in here where no one will see us"; and she dived into a clump2 of pine-trees growing by the path.
Priscilla and Bonnie followed more leisurely3, and dropped down on the soft needles with an air of amused tolerance4.
"Well, Mildred, what's the matter?" Bonnie inquired mildly.
The sophomore lowered her voice to an impressive whisper, although there was not a person within a hundred yards. "I am being followed," she said solemnly.
"Followed!" exclaimed Bonnie, in amazement5. "Are you crazy, child? You act like a boy who's been reading dime6 novels."
"Listen, girls. You mustn't tell a soul, because it's a great secret. We're going to plant the class tree to-night, and I am chairman of the ceremonies. Everything is ready—the costumes are finished and the plans all arranged so that the class can get out to the place without being seen. The freshmen7 haven't a suspicion that it's going to be to-night. But they have found out that I'm chairman of the committee, and, if you please,"—Mildred's eyes grew wide with excitement,—"they've been tracking me for a week. They have relays of girls appointed to watch me, and I can't stir without a freshman8 tagging along behind. When I went down to order the ice-cream, there was one right at my elbow, and I had to pretend that I'd come for soda-water. I have simply had to let the rest of the committee do all of the work, because I was so afraid the freshmen would find out the time. It was funny at first, but I am getting nervous. It's horrible to think that you're being watched all the time. I feel as if I'd committed a murder, and keep looking over my shoulder like—like Macbeth."
"It's awful," Bonnie shuddered9. "I'm thrilled to the bone to think of the peril10 a member of my family is braving for the sake of her class."
"You needn't laugh," said Mildred. "It's a serious matter. If those freshmen come to our tree ceremonies, we'll never hear the last of it. But they are not going to come," she added with a meaning smile. "They have another engagement. We chose to-night because there's a lecture before the Archæological Society by some alumna11 person who's been digging up remains12 in Rome. The freshmen have been told to go and hear her on account of their Latin. Imagine their feelings when they are cooped up in the auditorium13, trying to look intelligent about the Roman Forum14, and listening to our yells outside!"
Priscilla and Bonnie smiled appreciatively. It was not so long, after all, since they themselves were sophomores15, and they recalled their own tree ceremonies, when the freshmen had not been cooped up.
"But the trouble is," pursued Mildred, "that it's more important for me to get there than any one else, because I have to dig the hole,—Peters is really going to dig it, you know; I just take out the first shovelful,—but I can't get there on account of that beastly scout16. As soon as she saw me acting17 suspicious, she'd run and warn the class."
"I see," said Bonnie; "but what have Priscilla and I to do with it?"
"Well," said Mildred, tentatively, "you're both pretty big, you know, and you're our sister class, and you ought to help us."
"Certainly," acquiesced18 Bonnie; "but in just what way?"
"Well, my idea was this. If you would just stroll down by the lake after chapel19, and loiter sort of inconspicuously among the trees, you know, I would come that way a little later, and then, when the detective person came along after me, you could just nab her and—"
"Chuck her in the lake?" asked Bonnie.
"No, of course not. Don't use any force. Just politely detain her till you hear us yelling—take her for a walk. She'd feel honored."
Bonnie laughed. The program struck her as entertaining. "I don't see anything very immoral20 in delaying a freshman who is going where she has no business to go. What do you say, Pris?"
"It's not exactly a Sunday-school excursion," acknowledged Priscilla, "but I don't see why it isn't as legitimate21 for us to play detective as for them."
"By all means," said Bonnie. "Behold22 Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson about to solve the Mystery of the Shadowed Sophomore."
"You've saved my life," said Mildred, feelingly. "Don't forget. Right after chapel, by the lake." She peered warily23 out through the branches. "I've got to get the keys to the gymnasium, so the refreshments24 can be put in during chapel. Do you see anybody lurking25 about? I guess I can get off without being seen. Good-by"; and she sped away like a hunted animal.
Bonnie looked after her and laughed. "'Youth is a great time, but somewhat fussy,'" she quoted; and the two took their homeward way.
They found Patty, who was experiencing a periodical fit of studying, immersed in dictionaries and grammars. It was under protest that she allowed herself to be interrupted long enough to hear the story of their proposed adventure.
"You babies!" she exclaimed. "Haven't you grown up yet? Don't you think it's a little undignified for seniors—one might almost say alumnæ—to be kidnapping freshmen?"
"We're not kidnapping freshmen," Bonnie remonstrated27; "we're teaching them manners. It's my duty to protect my little cousin."
"You can come with us and help detect," said Priscilla, generously.
"Thank you," said Patty, loftily. "I haven't time to play with you children. Cathy Fair and I are going to do Old English to-night."
That evening, as Patty, keyed to the point of grappling with and throwing whole pages of "Beowulf," stood outside the chapel door waiting for Cathy to appear, the professor of Latin came out with a stranger.
"Oh, Miss Wyatt!" she exclaimed in a relieved tone, pouncing28 upon Patty. "I wish to present you to Miss Henderson, one of our alumnæ who is to lecture to-night before the Archæological Society. She has not been back for several years, and wishes to see the new buildings. Have you time to show her around the campus a little before the lecture begins?"
Patty bowed and murmured that she would be most happy, and cast an agonized29 glance back at Cathy as she led the lecturer off. As they strolled about, Patty poured out all the statistics she knew about the various buildings, and Miss Henderson received them with exclamations30 of delighted surprise. She was rather young and gushing32 for a Ph.D. and an archæologist, Patty decided33, and she wondered desperately34 how she could dispose of her and get back to "Beowulf" and Cathy.
They rounded the top of a little hill, and Miss Henderson exclaimed delightedly,"There is the lake, just as it used to be!"
Patty stifled35 a desire to remark that lakes had a habit of staying where they used to be, and asked politely if Miss Henderson would like to take a row.
Miss Henderson thought that it would be pleasant; but she had forgotten her watch, and was afraid there would not be time.
Patty glanced about vaguely36 for some further object of interest, and spied Mildred Connaught sauntering toward the lake. She had forgotten all about the Sherlock Holmes adventure, and she suddenly had an inspiration. Be it said to her credit that she hesitated a moment; but the lecturer's next remark led to her own undoing37. She was murmuring something about feeling like a stranger, and wishing that she might know the students informally and see a little of the real college life.
"It would be a pity not to gratify her when I can do it so easily," Patty told herself; and she added out loud, "I am sure we have time for a little row, Miss Henderson. You walk on, and I will run back and get my watch; it won't take a minute."
"I wouldn't have you do that; it is too much trouble," remonstrated Miss Henderson.
"It's no trouble whatever," Patty protested kindly38. "I can take a cross cut, and meet you at the little summer-house where the boats are moored39. It's straight down this path; you can't miss it. Just follow that girl over there"; and she darted40 away.
The lecturer gazed dubiously41 after her a moment, and then started on after the girl, who cast a look over her shoulder and quickened her pace. It was growing quite dusky under the trees, and the lecturer hurried on, trying to keep the girl in sight; but she unexpectedly turned a corner and disappeared, and at the same moment two strange girls suddenly dropped into the path, apparently42 from the tree-tops.
"Good evening," they said pleasantly. "Are you taking a walk?"
The lecturer started back with an exclamation31 of surprise; but as soon as she could regain43 her composure, she replied politely that she was strolling about and looking at the campus.
"Perhaps you would like to stroll with us?" they inquired.
"Thank you, you are very kind; but I have an engagement to row with one of the students."
Priscilla and Bonnie exchanged delighted glances. They had evidently caught a resourceful young person.
"Oh, no; it's too late for a row. You might get malaria," Priscilla remonstrated. "Come and sit on the fence with us and admire the stars; it's a lovely night."
The lecturer cast an alarmed glance toward the fence, which appeared to have an unusually narrow top rail. "You are very kind," she stammered44, "but I really can't stop. The girl will be waiting."
"Who is the girl?" they inquired.
"I don't know that I remember her name."
"Mildred Connaught?" Bonnie suggested.
"No; I don't think that is it, but I really can't say. I have only just met her."
Miss Henderson was growing more and more puzzled. In her day the students had not been in the habit of way-laying strangers with invitations to go walking and sit on fences.
"Ah, do stay with us," Bonnie begged, laying a hand on her arm. "We're lonely and want some one to talk to—we'll tell you a secret if you do."
"I am sorry," Miss Henderson murmured confusedly, "but—"
"We'll tell you the secret anyway," said Bonnie, generously, "and I'm sure you'll be interested. The sophomores are going to have their tree ceremonies to-night!"
"And you know," Priscilla broke in, "that the freshmen really ought to attend them too—it doesn't matter if they aren't invited. But where do you suppose the freshmen are to-night? They're attending a foolish little lecture on the Roman Forum."
"And though we don't wish to seem insistent," Bonnie added, "we should really like to have your company until the lecture is over."
Bonnie grinned delightedly. "I am happy to meet you," she said, with a bow. "And perhaps you do not recognize us. I am Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and this is my friend Dr. Watson."
Dr. Watson bowed, and remarked that it was an unexpected pleasure. He had often heard of the famous lecturer, but had never hoped to meet her.
Miss Henderson, who was not very conversant46 with recent literature, looked more dazed than ever. It flashed across her mind that there was an insane asylum47 in the neighborhood, and the thought was not reassuring48.
"We'll not handcuff you," said Bonnie, magnanimously, "if you'll come with us quietly."
The lecturer, in spite of fervid49 protestations that she was a lecturer, presently found herself sitting on the fence, with a girl on either side grasping an elbow. A light was beginning to break upon her, together with a poignant50 realization51 of the fact that she was seeing more of the real college life than she cared for.
"What time is it?" she asked anxiously.
"Ten minutes past eight by my watch, but I think it's a little slow," said Bonnie.
"I am afraid you're going to be late for your lecture," said Priscilla. "It seems a pity to waste it. Suppose you tell it to us instead."
"Yes, do," urged Bonnie. "I just dote on the Roman Forum."
The lecturer preserved a dignified26 silence, which was broken only by the croaking52 of the frogs and the occasional remarks of the two detectives. She had relinquished53 all hope of ever seeing the Archæological Society, and had philosophically54 resigned herself to the prospect55 of sitting on the fence all night, when suddenly there burst out from across the campus a song of victory, mingled56 with cheers and inarticulate yells.
At the first sound, Bonnie and Priscilla tumbled down from the fence, bringing the lecturer with them, and, each grasping her by a hand, they started to run. "Come on and see the fun," they laughed. "You're perfectly57 welcome; it's no secret any more." And, in spite of breathless protestations that she much preferred to walk, Miss Henderson found herself dashing across the campus in the direction of the sounds.
Heads suddenly appeared in the dormitory windows, doors banged, and girls came running from every quarter with excited exclamations: "The sophomores are having their tree ceremonies!" "Where are the freshmen?" "Why didn't they get there?"
A crowd quickly gathered in the shadow of the trees and watched the scene with laughing interest. A wide circle of colored lanterns swayed in the breeze, and, within, a line of white-robed figures wound and unwound about a tiny tree to the music of a solemn chant.
"Isn't it pretty? Aren't you glad we brought you?" Bonnie demanded as they pushed through the crowd.
The lecturer did not answer, for she caught sight of the Latin professor hurrying toward them.
"Miss Henderson! I was afraid you were lost. It is nearly half-past eight. The audience has been waiting, and we have been filling in the time with reports."
For a moment the lecturer was silent, being occupied with an amused scrutiny58 of the faces of her captors; and then she rose to the occasion like a lady and a scholar, and delivered a masterly apology, with never a reference to her sojourn59 on the fence.
Bonnie and Priscilla stared at each other without a word, and as Miss Henderson was led away to the remnants of her audience Patty suddenly appeared.
"Good evening, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Did you solve your mystery?" she asked sweetly.
Priscilla turned her to the light and scrutinized60 her face.
Patty smiled back with wide-open, innocent eyes.
Patty squirmed out from under her grasp. "If you remember," she murmured, "I once said that the Lick Observatory62 was in Dublin, Ireland. It was a very funny mistake, of course, but I know of others that are funnier."
"What do you mean?" Bonnie demanded.
"I mean," said Patty, "that I wish you never to mention the Lick Observatory again."
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1
sophomore
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| n.大学二年级生；adj.第二年的 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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tolerance
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| n.宽容；容忍，忍受；耐药力；公差 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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dime
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| n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角 | |
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freshmen
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| n.（中学或大学的）一年级学生( freshman的名词复数 ) | |
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freshman
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| n.大学一年级学生(可兼指男女) | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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alumna
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| n.女校友，女毕业生 (pl.alumnae) | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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auditorium
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| n.观众席，听众席；会堂，礼堂 | |
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forum
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| n.论坛，讨论会 | |
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sophomores
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| n.（中等、专科学校或大学的）二年级学生( sophomore的名词复数 ) | |
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scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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acquiesced
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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immoral
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| adj.不道德的，淫荡的，荒淫的，有伤风化的 | |
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legitimate
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| adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法 | |
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behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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pouncing
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的现在分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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agonized
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| v.使（极度）痛苦，折磨( agonize的过去式和过去分词 )；苦斗；苦苦思索；感到极度痛苦 | |
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exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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32
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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fervid
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| adj.热情的；炽热的 | |
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poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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51
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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52
croaking
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的现在分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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53
relinquished
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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philosophically
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| adv.哲学上；富有哲理性地；贤明地；冷静地 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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