CHAPTER XX.
THE CLOSING OF THE YEAR.
Rapidly the days passed on at Mount Holyoke.

Autumn faded into winter, whose icy breath floated for a time over the mountain tops, and then melted away at the approach of spring, which, with its swelling buds and early flowers, gave way in its turn to the long bright days of summer.

And now only a few weeks remained ere the annual examination at which Ida was to be graduated.

Neither Rose nor Jenny were to return the next year, and nothing but Mr.Lincoln's firmness and good sense had prevented their being sent for when their mother first heard that they had failed to enter the Middle class.
Mrs.Lincoln's mortification was undoubtedly greatly increased from the fact that the despised Mary had entered in advance of her daughters.

"Things are coming to a pretty pass," said she.