"They should have come on the earlier train," explained Nancy.
"All right. Then you'll git 'em on this load. There's the 'bus, Miss. Yes! there's room for you in there."
The omnibus was backed up against the platform under the hood of the station. There was a crowd of laughing, chattering girls before her in the vehicle.
"Now, Jim! you can't put another livin' soul in this 'bus--you know you can't," cried one, to the driver.
"What do you think we are--sardines? Oh! my foot!" shrieked another girl.
"And she's a greeny, too. Any of you ever see her before?" demanded one of the girls nearest the half-closed door.
"Say! what's your name?" asked another girl, leaning out to speak to Nancy.
"She's green--what did I tell you? And we're all sophs here. Say, Freshie! don't you know you don't belong in here?"
"She'll have to ride with you, Jim, on the front seat."
"Now! you know what the Madame would say to _that_, Miss," growled Jim.
"Here!" interposed Nancy herself. "I don't want to ride with you any more than you seem to want me. But it's raining, and I don't propose to get wet," and she sturdily shouldered her way past the driver and into the 'bus between the knees of the girls on either hand.
"But don't stand on my foot, please, Miss!" snapped a girl she was crowding. "Haven't you any feet of your own?"
"Oh, cracky, Bertha! you know she's got to stand somewhere. And your feet----"
"Why, Belle Macdonald's piled her bags up in the corner and has gone to sleep on 'em!" shrieked somebody from ahead, as the 'bus lurched forward.
Nancy was confused, hurt, and ashamed. The horse splashed through the puddles and the 'bus plunged and shook over the cobbles.
There were few street lights, and such as there were were dim and wavering in the mist and falling rain. She could see nothing of Clintondale, except that huge trees lined the streets.
The girls were cross, or loud. Not one spoke to her kindly. She was shaken about by the 'bus, and scolded by those whom she was forced to trample upon when she lost her footing.
The new girl from Higbee was much depressed. All her pride and satisfaction in being sent to such a popular school as Pinewood had oozed away.
Her experience with Mr. Gordon added to her unhappiness. She had learned nothing by going to him. He had even called her disobedient.