Free New Horizons by Lois Gladys Leppard Page A

reply.
    Longingly,
Adrian
    Mandie quickly refolded the sheet of paper, placed it back into the envelope, and returned it to the bureau drawer. She sat down in the big chair and thought about this young fellow. She was not sure she should answer the letter and get into correspondence with him. After all, he was so far away, and they were both so young.
    Celia came out of the bathroom in her robe. “Your turn, Mandie.”
    Mandie took her time in the bath, and after the girls had gone to bed for the night, Mandie lay awake for several hours, thinking about the boardinghouse and hoping her uncle John would be in favor of it. When she had written to tell her mother and him about the rude girls at the college—girls who had been the source of much unhappiness for her and Celia—she hoped they would understand how important it was that they be moved out of the college dormitory. She believed they would.

chapter 6
    Mandie and Celia both began counting the days since they had written their mothers requesting permission to move into the ladies’ boardinghouse. And Mary Lou asked daily if they had heard anything.
    Then one day, as they were checking their mailboxes after class, Mandie excitedly announced, “I have something from my mother!”
    â€œSo do I!” Celia remarked, withdrawing a small white envelope from her mailbox.
    â€œCome on, let’s go up to our room to read these. I can’t take it standing up if it is bad news,” Mandie said, hurrying ahead up the marble staircase.
    In their room they threw down their books, flopped into the two big chairs, and tore open the envelopes.
    Mandie read the letter to herself.
    Dearest daughter,
    I am sorry things are not working out for you with the other girls there at the college. We could possibly talk about a transfer to another school when you come home for Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I have discussed the situation with your uncle John, and he definitely agrees that something must be done. Of course, we believe that the only alternative right now is for you and Celia to move into the boarding-house. We have contacted Mrs. Thomason and checked everything out, and we feel we can trust you girls to live there. Celia’s mother is in complete agreement with us.
    We have made arrangements financially with Mrs. Thomason for both of you girls, and you are free to move whenever you have time.
    We have also notified the college that you girls will be moving into the boardinghouse and will relinquish your room in the dormitory as soon as this can be accomplished.
    We are trusting your carriage driver, Mr. Ryland, to accomplish the move for you, and also to drive you girls back and forth to classes each day.
    Please let us know the minute you begin the move. I certainly wish the telegraph company would hurry up and get the wires into town so we can have telephone service. They are working on it right now.
    With all my love always,
Mother
    Celia had read her own letter by the time Mandie finished, and they excitedly embraced each other and danced around the room.
    â€œI’m so happy!” Mandie said, laughing.
    â€œSo am I!” Celia replied, dancing around the room.
    â€œI can hardly wait until morning, when we can let Mary Lou know of the good news!” Mandie said.
    The next morning Mandie and Celia stood at the chapel doors, watching for Mary Lou, and when she arrived both of them hugged her.
    â€œYou got permission?” Mary Lou guessed as she freed herself from the hugs.
    Both girls nodded and Mary Lou said, “I’m so excited! Let’s get things moving this afternoon.”
    â€œI think we need to go see Mrs. Thomason this afternoon and find out when it’s convenient for her for us to move into her boardinghouse,” Mandie said.
    â€œFirst of all, I think we need to go look at the room we’ll be getting so we’ll know how to arrange our things. We haven’t even seen a room in her house