with odds and ends of all sorts. The table was covered with books
and boxes; colored lithographs were pinned on the walls; a huge blue
rosette ornamented the head-board of the bed; the blinds were tied
together with pink ribbon; over the top of the window was a festoon
of hemlock boughs, fresh and spicy. The effect was fantastic, but
cheery; and Katy and Clover exclaimed, with one voice, "How pretty!"

The room-mate was a pale, shy girl, with a half-scared look in her
eyes, and small hands which twisted uneasily together when she moved
and spoke. Her name was Mary Silver. She and Rose were so utterly
unlike, that Katy thought it odd they should have chosen to be
together. Afterward she understood it better. Rose liked to protect,
and Mary to be protected; Rose to talk, and Mary to listen. Mary
evidently considered Rose the most entertaining creature in the
world; she giggled violently at all her jokes, and then stopped
short and covered her mouth with her fingers, in a frightened way,
as if giggling were wrong.

"Only think, Mary," began Rose, after introducing Katy and Clover,
"these young ladies have got the end room. What do you suppose was
the reason that Mrs. Florence did not give it to us? It's very
peculiar."

Mary laughed her uneasy laugh. She looked as if she could tell the
reason, but did not dare.

"Never mind," continued Rose. "Trials are good for one, they say.
It's something to have nice people in the room, if we can't be there
ourselves. You are nice, aren't you?" turning to Clover.