There were fair winds and cloudless skies after that,
and nothing more was heard from the defective tooth,
which, later, was filled and preserved for future
usefulness.
Transcendentalism as elucidated for
the junior league.
The following two weeks were unmarked by anything
of special interest, and Katherine found her time
fully occupied in attending to her daily duties and
preparing for the next league meeting.
For a moment, after the second subject, “Transcendentalism,”
had been assigned her, she felt “old Adam”
beginning to stir resentfully again, for she was impressed
that, when the topic came up for discussion, certain
members of the club intended to make her the target
for more sharpshooting.
But the struggle was short, for the monitor within
had declared that “God’s image and likeness
could not reflect or manifest anything but love;”
when, like a flash, had come the inspiration to treat
the subject from a humorous point of view. She
knew that the committee had used the term in its perverted
sense, so she would meet them on their own ground,
make an hour of fun for the league, and thus, perchance,
disarm the aggressive ones and create a better feeling
towards herself.
As these thoughts coursed rapidly through her mind
during Miss Felton’s gallant defense, she became
enthused over the idea, hence the mirthful gleam in
her eyes when she arose and accepted the topic, and
thus tactfully “poured oil upon the troubled
waters.”
In the quiet of her own room, after retiring, her
plan began to take a more definite form, and, before
the week was out, she had arranged her programme for
the evening.
She found that she would be unable to carry it out
alone, and so confided her scheme to Sadie, Miss Walton,
the president, and Miss Felton, whom she now regarded
as stanch friends. They were delighted with it
and heartily lent her their assistance in perfecting
it.
It became evident, however, as the day for the meeting
drew on apace, that more than usual interest was centered
in the event, for, upon two or three occasions, Katherine
came suddenly upon a group of the members in earnest
conversation, which was instantly cut short, or abruptly
changed, when her presence was observed. Jennie
Wild, who was very fond of her, also gave her a hint
that something unusual was going on.
“Miss Minturn, what’s the fun that’s
brewing in the Junior League?” she inquired,
as she encountered Katherine in one of the halls a
couple of days previous to the meeting.
“Is there fun brewing?” she inquired,
evasively, and wondering if, by any possibility, her
own scheme had become known.
“Yes, I am sure there is, for I’ve heard
some of the juniors talking about a ‘great time’
that is on the tapis for the next meeting; and—and
your name was mentioned, too,” Jennie concluded,
giving her a curious glance.
