Chapter Sixteen
GORGEOUS GOWNS
The next morning both the Hardy and the Thorne households were up earlyfor it had been decided to make the trip to Newton, the seat of CornBelt U., during the morning. The girls could complete their plans forregistration during the afternoon and in the evening they could returnhome in good time.
Janet was nearly through breakfast when an express messenger called atthe door.
"Package for Miss Janet Hardy," he announced. "Air express, too."
Janet signed for the package. It was long and unusually well wrapped andwhen she saw the return address, "Ace Motion Picture Corp., CostumeDepartment," she tingled all over, for she knew that inside were thedresses George Roddy, or Adoree as he was know professionally, hadcreated for her.
Janet's mother helped her rip aside the heavy brown paper with which thecardboard box was wrapped. Inside were layers of tissue and then theygazed upon the first dress, a sport outfit of green wool in lines soplain that its daring was startling. The jacket fitted snugly with a tieabout the throat and the ends extended over Janet's shoulders.
After that came an afternoon dress, a rich brown velvet that caught andthrew back at them the morning light. The skirt was plain with the upperhalf of the dress in a Russian blouse design with the plain roll collarof cloth of gold.
"Why, it's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen," exclaimed Janet'smother. "How did this all happen?"
Briefly, Janet told how Roddy had taken an interest in them and inseeing that they had attractive and striking clothes.
There was one more dress, a garment designed for classroom wear. Thiswas a corduroy--a deep blue that was dazzling in its intensity.
Before Janet could get it completely out of its heavy tissue wrappingsthe telephone rang and when she answered Helen's excited voice cametumbling over the wire. She, too, had received her box from Roddy--asports outfit, an afternoon dress and another dress for classroom wear.
"Let's wear one of our new dresses when we go to the university toregister," said Helen, and Janet agreed. Each of them had corduroys andthey decided to wear these.
Janet took the last garment, the corduroy one, from its wrappings andhurried upstairs to try it on. Her mother hastened after her, as eageras Janet to see how the new dress fitted and looked.
Janet wriggled into the cool, smooth garment and whirled to face hermother. Her hair was a bit touseled and her cheeks flushed from theexcitement and the vivid blue of the dress only heightened her youthfulcharm.
"You look beautiful, dear," breathed her mother. "I've never seenanything more lovely."
Janet turned back to her mirror and gazed at the dress Roddy's agilemind had conceived for her. It _was_ striking.
The blue corduroy hung well, fitting closely around her slim hips andopening at the throat with a semi-military cut. A neat little pocket wasplaced just above her heart. The sleeves were wrist length, rather fullat the shoulders and tapering to a close fit just above her hands wherethey were caught and tied with two silver bands.
Someone came pounding up the stairs. It was Helen, who burst into theroom like a young hurricane. Like Janet, she was attired in one of hernew dresses. It was corduroy, but of an umber hue that was set off toperfection by Helen's dark hair and the olive coloring of her face.There was just enough difference in the two dresses to make them varied,yet at a glance an observer could tell that they had been created by thesame master hand.
Helen even had on brown hose and shoes that matched her dress.
"Where are your new shoes?" she demanded.
Janet delved further into the box. At the bottom was a shoe box and sheopened it with shaking fingers. This was more than she had ever daredimagine. She drew forth a pair of blue kid slippers and tucked in themwere three pairs of blue hose to match her dress and shoes. She changedshoes and hose and stood up again, whirling in front of the mirror. Thecostume now was perfection itself. She ran a comb through her goldenhair and knew the thrill that comes from knowing a costume is perfect.
"Do you suppose we'll be asked to join a sorority at school?" askedHelen.
"If they see you in these dresses I imagine you can join any or all ofthem," smiled Mrs. Hardy. "Come now, we must be ready when the men wantto start."
On the echo of her words a horn sounded below. Janet dabbed a littlepowder on her face and joined Helen as they hurried down stairs. Eventheir fathers were elated over the new dresses and both girls felt thattheir cups of happiness were filled to overflowing.
"Honestly," confided Helen, "I hate to wear this in the car. I'd like totake it off and then put it on when we get near school."
"I suppose you'd like to ride all of the way wrapped up in a blanket orsomething," chided Janet. "But I'll admit that I hate to sit down inthis dress."
It was a beautifully clear morning and John Hardy sent his big carspeeding over the paved road at a fast pace. They were in Newton inample time to drive around the university grounds and have a leisurelylunch before going to the office of the dean of women to take the firststeps in registering.
The campus of Corn Belt U. was lined with stately elms that had watchedover the destiny of the school for more than three quarters of acentury. The main buildings were of Indiana limestone with a few of theolder ones of red-faced brick, now well covered with a rich growth ofEnglish ivy.
Janet knew that she would enjoy going to school here. There was a spiritof calm and dignity about the campus that appealed to her.
At lunch they talked of plans for school and of what they would take.
"I'm going to get all of the dramatics and English I can absorb,"declared Helen. "Perhaps a little history, too."
"How about you, Janet?"
"I think my major courses will be journalism, and perhaps just a littlein the way of dramatics."
"Not thinking about going back to Hollywood and joining Billy Fenstow'scompany when you're through, are you?" chided the director.
"Well, I might have that idea in mind if no newspaper will take me on asa reporter," conceded Janet.
Luncheon over they went directly to the administration building where,after a short wait, they were ushered into the office of the dean ofwomen.
Mrs. Laird was a pleasant woman of about fifty and Janet saw her keeneyes take in every inch of their costumes in a glance and she thoughtshe saw just a trace of suspicion arise in the dean's eyes.
Janet's father explained their mission, pointing out that because oftheir coming trip to Radio City they would be late in taking up classwork.
"It's a little unusual to arrange registration in this way," said thedean, "but I believe you can be accommodated."
For an hour they went over class schedules, the dean advising them onthe courses best suited to what they had in mind. She assisted them infilling out the final registration cards and paused at one question.
"Do you hope to join a sorority?" she asked.
"We won't be here in time for the rushing parties," replied Janet."Perhaps that had better wait until another semester, that is, if any ofthe groups should want us for membership."
The dean's cool eyes surveyed the fashionably dressed girls.
"I rather imagine you could take your pick of the sororities right nowif the girls were here," she said.
The registration was over. The girls were to have rooms in Currier Hall,an old but comfortable dormitory.
"The dean seemed a little cool," said Helen.
"I noticed that, too," Janet said. "Evidently she doesn't think much ofthe plans which call for us hurrying away to New York."
"Can't be helped; we're going," said Helen.
When they returned home a telegram was waiting for Henry Thorne.
"This interests you girls more than it does me," he said, handing themessage to his daughter.
Helen read it eagerly.
"Have Janet and Helen report next Monday morning at Radio City at teno'clock," she said.
"That means we'll have to leave here Saturday n
ight. Why, that's onlytomorrow night!" gasped Janet.
Janet Hardy in Radio City Page 16