Jane Allen: Junior | Page 4

"As if I wouldn't," replied Jane.
"You can't blame us for being curious, Janey. This afternoon was
almost a failure, just because your eyes had a faraway look."
"I'm so sorry, really, Jude. What an abominable temper I must have."
"We all know better than that girlie." Judy might now have been
charged with harboring a faraway look herself.
"Just give me a little time," smiled Jane, "and if there's anything on my
conscience I'll gladly transfer it to yours."
The look in both gray and brown eyes was suddenly changed to
intimacy. It was no longer faraway.
CHAPTER II
A SHADOW IN FORECAST
I thought everyone had been supplied with the anti-tack hammer
circular," remarked Jane, falling back where Judith's cushions ought to
be. "Just hear that tattoo over in the wing. I'll bet it's Dozia."
"She has a collection of movie queens and I doubt not that is the
official coronation. Let us hope the new proctor is deaf on the left,
Dozia's room leans that way," replied Judith. Then she tossed a couple
of sweaters at Jane's head. "Put those under your ears dear," she
ordered, "my pillows aren't unpacked yet and you may find Neddie's
last year tacks in that burlap. There now, you look almost human. But

the wistful whimper lingers. Jane, what has happened? You are simply
smothered in the soft pedal. Tell your Judy all about it," she cooed.
Feet stretched out straight in front of her and arms ending with finger
tips laced over her black head, Judith looked longer than she really
needed to measure up or down. Also, she looked too stiff to be
comfortable, but the wooden pose was Judith's favorite. She rested that
way, defying every known law for relaxation. Jane, au contraire, was
curled up like a kitten, with one red sweater balled under her ruffled
head and the other blue one tangled about her slim ankles. Both girls
were tired--justly so, for the opening day at Wellington was ever a time
of joyous activity, and the day just closed had roared and yelled itself
into an evening still vibrant with bristling energy, tack hammers and
movie pictures smashing rules and regulations, until the night gong
sounded its irrevocable warning. Then roommates paired off even as
did Jane and Judith.
"Has anything happened to your baggage?" prompted Judith, as her
companion failed to confide.
Jane teased one small worsted tassel of Judith's blue sweater free from
its tangle with her shoe lace, then she poked her dimpled chin forward
saucily.
"Can't ever have a secret, I suppose, Pally dear," she mocked the girl
sliding slowly but surely out of her chair. "But I don't mind. Shows
how truly you love me. There, you will feel better on the rug. I knew
you were coming." Judith had landed.
"I believe I'll sleep here," declared Judith, one end of the international
carpet sample was bunched up under her ear. "Never was so tired on
any other first or last day." The long legs shot out straight again. "And
if your secret is really thrilling Janie, pray keep it for a more auspicious
occasion. I am apt to snore when I should groan, or even sneeze when I
should----" A choking spasm interrupted. "Don't tell me to take quinine,
Janie. This is the end. I have had it since August and it is due to depart
now, exactly now." A couple of sneezes added punctuation to this.

"But get up from that floor instantly," ordered the girl on the divan.
"Nothing worse for colds than rag carpet rugs. There's plenty of room
up here out of drafts. Come, lovey. Do try to curl up some. I always
fear you will break up in splinters when I see you go wooden."
"Too comfy, Dinks, I can't move."
"Sneeze then and I'll catch you. You have just got to get up off that
chilly floor somehow. Besides the oil may be contagious. It still smells
gooey."
"Anything for peace. Give me a lift. There," Judith hung over the edge
but Jane held on to the black head. "It's not so safe as the floor but I
suppose it is more prophylactic. Now I will sleep. The girls seem to
have died down. Strange"--yawn and groan--"how they do love to fuss
up the rooms."
"Temperment, my dear. Dozia wouldn't sleep a wink with her
photograph gallery unhung. What do you think of the crowd this year?
Spot any stars?"
"A couple. Did you see that beauty with the shiny gold hair? The one
who stood under the hemlock alone during the cheering? Isn't she
tragically pretty?"
"Exactly that. One couldn't help seeing her, although she struck me as
being shy."
"Scared to death, and so unconscious of her charms. There Janie, my
brain is sound