When Jimmy was again able to think consecutively, he concluded
that considerable conversation must have taken place between
Alfred and the small one, while he was recovering his breath and
re-adjusting his wilted neckwear. He was now thrown into a fresh
panic by an exclamation from the excitable Zoie.

"You must both meet my friend, Aggie Darling," she was saying.
"I am bringing her with me to the hop to-night. She is not at
all like me. You will like her dreadfully." She smiled at Jimmy
as though she were conferring a great favour upon him.

"Like her dreadfully," commented Jimmy to himself. "It was just
the kind of expression one might expect from a mind in such
disorder as hers. 'Systematise Alfred's life,' indeed!"

There was more nonsensical chatter, or so it seemed to Jimmy,
then Zoie and Alfred rose to go, and Jimmy was told by both of
them that he was to put in an appearance at the Fraternity "hop"
that night.

"I'll see you at dinner," called Alfred gaily over his shoulder
and Jimmy was left to grapple with his first disappointment at
his friend's lack of discrimination.

"It's her fault," concluded Jimmy, as he lifted himself heavily
off the bench and started down the campus, resolved to console
himself with food.