Fidelia had come up to college for the Tau Gammas never called on her for help; but there she was in the parlor with Mrs. Fansler.
It was Alice's first meeting with Fidelia in a room since they went from their last class-room in college; it was the first encounter in which she could not nod and merely give a glance and pass on. Alice and her companion came in upon Fidelia and Mrs. Fansler, seated. Immediately Mrs. Fansler got up and was flustered; Fidelia arose but she was not flustered. She said: "Why, Alice!" and she offered Alice her hands.
Alice did not take them. Whether or not she should touch Fidelia's offered hand, Alice hardly considered; for she could not. The old seizure of her helplessness before Fidelia—that helplessness which started with her fear when she first saw Fidelia on the evening of her arrival in Myra's room, which was doubled on the first morning in class when she saw Fidelia sitting in the sun and which overwhelmed her finally at the Tau Gamma dance—that possessed Alice again.
"How do you do, Fidelia?" she said; then she spoke to Mrs. Fansler and, becoming aware that Mrs. Fansler was urging her to sit down, she did so. Mrs. Fansler introduced Fidelia and the undergraduate girl with Alice. "Mrs. Herrick," Mrs. Fansler said.
Alice saw the girl stare in admiration at Fidelia; and no wonder; for Fidelia was the same as ever. Gone from Alice was her poor triumph over Fidelia because she had no child; gone from Alice was her comfort from that telephone call and her built-up belief that David needed her.
Fidelia asked: "You're helping rush?"
