She spoke to Patience only when absolutely necessary and took not the slightest notice of Miriam, Anne or Elfreda.
Patience confided to Grace that Kathleen studied harder than ever, and wrote for at least two hours every night, never forgetting to place her papers carefully in her desk and to lock it securely before going out or to bed.

"I believe she is writing a play, but I don't know positively and I wouldn't dream of asking her," had been Patience's comment.
As the long intervening days that lay between the students of Overton and "going home for Christmas" dragged by, Grace found herself more impatient to see her father and mother than ever before.

"It is on account of that old newspaper trouble," she assured herself.

"Father and Mother were so dear and forgiving over it that I can't wait to see them." All her thoughts were now centered on going home.
"I never wanted to see Father and Mother so much in all my life as I do this Christmas.

Next week seems ages off.