Blue Bonnet found before the walk ended that Mrs. White had charge of the floor upon which she roomed, and a number of other things incident to school life and discipline.
Blue Bonnet had barely laid aside her things after returning from the walk when a knock at the door startled her. She opened it, admitting Annabel, Ruth, and Sue Hemphill.
"We came over to help you unpack," Annabel announced. "Three of us can do it quickly, and then perhaps you will come over to my room for a cup of tea. We have a whole hour to ourselves now."
Blue Bonnet was grateful, but a little embarrassed. She didn't especially care to open her trunk and bare its contents to utter strangers; but Sue was already tugging at the straps, and Ruth opening bureau drawers preparatory to putting things away.
Blue Bonnet took the key from her purse and unlocked the trunk.
As the gowns and underwear, hats and shoes, tumbled forth, there were exclamations of delight and approval.
"Oh, what a love of a hat! Do get out of the way, Ruth, so I can try it on;" this from Annabel.
"And, oh, what a sweet organdy! Where did you get that white wool Peter Thompson? I've searched the town for one."
Blue Bonnet turned from unwrapping something very dear to her to answer Sue.
Annabel leaned over her shoulder, watching with interest the small package in her hands.
Blue Bonnet took off the last wrapping and disclosed to view a small miniature.
"Oh, how lovely!" they exclaimed in a breath. "Who is it?"
Blue Bonnet hesitated a brief second, gazing lovingly at the picture.
"Isn't she beautiful! Is she in Texas?" Ruth inquired.
"Where's your father--have you one of him?" It was Annabel this time.
Blue Bonnet made another dive in the trunk and brought forth a package. From it she drew a photograph which she handed to Annabel.
"Is he in Texas--on the ranch you were telling us about?"
There was a longer silence this time, and then it was Sue who put her arm through Blue Bonnet's shyly.
"I know what it means," she said. "I have lost my mother, too. I still have my father, though, thank Heaven, and Billy. You must know Billy--he's my brother at Harvard--the best ever--why--"
"Now, Sue's going to take the pulpit," she said, "and we'll get a discourse on Billy! Billy the great! Billy the supreme--Billy--"