Unlike many of the other girls, however, Nan failed to find
anything about Rhoda's character to dislike. Even Linda Riggs was
not pleased with the girl from Rose Ranch. The latter girl
threatened quite unconsciously to outshine the railroad magnate's
daughter in point of dress.

Mrs. Cupp had something to say about that. It was said tartly
enough, of course, and Rhoda had to take it before a good-sized
party of other girls.

"Where did your mother think you were coming to, Miss Hammond?"
Mrs. Cupp demanded when she had looked over the contents of Rhoda's
two trunks. "These clothes might be of use if you expected to
attend the opera, or appear in society. How absurd to dress a young
girl in such garments! Your mother--"

"Please, Mrs. Cupp, do not blame my mother if you think these
things are not suitable for me to wear. She is not at--at fault for
their selection. They were bought for me by a friend, mostly in
Chicago."

"Humph! Your mother should have attended to your being properly
dressed. This is a practical school, not a theatrical company, you
have come to," snapped Mrs. Cupp, who was always very severe in
matters of dress. "Your mother--"

"Don't criticize my mother, please," interrupted Rhoda again, and
her voice was sharper. "My--my mother is blind; she could not pick
out my clothes."