“It does indeed! Isn’t there a pretty view from here? There come Hilary and Lil. Let’s go on to the woods. The birds are in the fall migration now, perhaps we’ll find something different. Think of it, Cathalina, only one more beautiful spring here! Do you suppose we’ll like it as well at college?”
“It will be different. I don’t believe any place could be to us what dear old Greycliff has been. I can’t realize yet that we are seniors. Wouldn’t it be fine if they would add the two more years of a college course?”
“They don’t want that kind of a school here. Have you any idea where you will go?”
“Yes, in New York, but whether I get right into Columbia or not I don’t know. Perhaps I’ll just take what I want. But mother wants me there. She pretty nearly kept me at home this time. It is hard on her, you know, with Philip away at camp. But Aunt Katherine was strong for having me finish up this course here, and Father said, ‘Your Aunt Knickerbocker’s idea of sending Cathalina to Greycliff worked out pretty well’!”
“Yes. Then Aunt Katherine reminded Mother that she would be head over heels—she didn’t say that—in war work, and Mother is on about forty committees more or less, so it was decided.”
“How about little Cathalina? Didn’t she have any voice in the matter?”
“Yes indeed. But I thought if Mother really needed me I would stay without a word. I’ve been so upset in plans myself, as all of us have been, and I thought I’d like to be where I’d see Phil if he is sent over very soon. But they are to telegraph, and Lilian and I will go on. And say, Betty, the last letter I had from Captain Van Horne said that it will not be very long until the Rainbow Division goes over.”
“Oh, no, not so very often,—not like Lilian and Phil, or Hilary and Campbell. By the way, what was it you told me about Donald Hilton? I’ve been on such a rush ever since we began school that I have a lot of confused impressions about different things.”
“Donald joined the marines! I never was so surprised.”
“Why, did he know anything about the navy?”
“Not a thing, but it seems he always has been crazy about ships and things. You must read some of his letters,—they are so interesting.”
“Oh, I always tell you anything flattering that he says in them anyway. Do you ever hear from Bob Paget, or Lawrence Haverhill?”