noon
Nancy loved books , and she hoped for a college education , too ; dimly , in some way , she hoped to find means of preparing for college . But how ? That was the problem . One noon , as Nancy filed into the long , cool dining room , Miss Prentice , who often stood at the door to review the girls as they filed before her , tapped Nancy on the shoulder . `` My room after luncheon , Miss Nancy , '' said the principal , severely . She always spoke severely , so this did not disturb the girl . But the latter was so anxious about her own affairs that she flushed deeply and only played with her food .