New Horizons Read Online Free PDF Page A

us.”
    â€œI don’t,” Mandie replied. “It’s time I start taking control of my life. I’m too old for Grandmother to make all the decisions.”
    Celia quickly turned to look at Mandie and said, “You aren’t going to say that to your grandmother, are you?”
    â€œNo, of course not! I’ll just be silent and let her think she’s still the boss,” Mandie replied with a big grin.
    Mrs. Taft came through the connecting door with Mrs. Hamilton right behind her.
    â€œI see you young ladies are all ready for supper now,” Mrs. Taft said with an agreeable smile. “Let’s go down and see what they are serving tonight.”
    As Mandie followed her grandmother and Mrs. Hamilton out the door, she turned to whisper to Celia, “I just hope those fellows are not seated anywhere near us.”
    â€œSo do I,” Celia agreed.
    â€œMaybe they’ll become interested in April Snow,” Mandie said.
    Mandie was hoping she would make other friends at the college and could ignore April Snow. April had always been the troublemaker at the Misses Heathwood’s School for Girls.

chapter 3
    The next morning Mandie and Celia received their schedule and instructions for the coming semester. Looking around the chapel to see who else was there, Mandie spotted Mary Lou Dunnigan hurrying in the side door. Their eyes met and they nodded with a smile.
    â€œThere’s Mary Lou,” Mandie whispered to Celia.
    Celia quickly turned to look. “She’s running a little late.”
    Mandie nodded and turned her attention to the woman at the podium who was giving basic information to the newcomers. “You are required to sign in and out every time you leave or enter the dormitory, no matter the reason. This is for security purposes mainly, but we are also in charge of your comings and goings since your parents have left you all in our care.” She straightened her thin shoulders and added, “And we will not tolerate any variance of our rules. Once you violate any of our standards, you will be reprimanded and you will lose points on your grades. You will be expelled should you have a second offense. We arehere to teach you and you are here to learn. Please remember that at all times.”
    Mandie fidgeted in her seat, wishing the woman would hurry up and finish. She wanted to talk to Mary Lou when they left the chapel. It had been a while since she and Celia had seen her, and she wanted to catch up before classes started.
    But the minute the woman at the podium dismissed them, Mandie saw Mary Lou quickly walk out the door.
    â€œOh, shucks!” Mandie said to Celia. “Evidently Mary Lou is in a big hurry. We could never catch up with her in this slow-moving crowd.” She followed the other students toward the door.
    â€œWell, at least we know she is here,” Celia replied.
    When they finally were able to step out into the corridor, Mandie glanced around but saw no sign of Mary Lou.
    â€œCome on, Mandie,” Celia told her. “Your grandmother and my mother are waiting for us in the sitting room.”
    â€œI know,” Mandie replied as she and Celia made their way through the crowd.
    Mrs. Taft had arranged for Mr. Donovan to take them down to the carriage factory. He knew the factory owner and introduced Mrs. Taft and Mrs. Hamilton.
    â€œGood day, Mr. McGrady. Mrs. Taft and Mrs. Hamilton have come to buy one of your carriages,” he explained to the tall dark man in the office.
    â€œHow do you do, ladies,” Mr. McGrady said as he rose from his seat at a long table covered with various carriage parts and stacks of papers.
    â€œFine, thank you, Mr. McGrady. We would like to see what you have to offer in small carriages,” Mrs. Taft replied, looking around the huge building.
    â€œAh, now, you are lucky today, Mrs. Taft,” Mr. McGrady replied. “Please come this way. I have just had an order cancelled for a