Just before midnight supper, Concordia and the lady principal were chatting when they noticed a stir in the far corner of the ballroom.
“Miss Banning!” Concordia exclaimed, craning her neck. “Surely we were not expecting her? She must be feeling better.”
“I understand that she is rather attached to these seniors,” Miss Hamilton said. She did not seem surprised by Miss Banning’s arrival. “Shall we greet her?”
Margaret Banning was already surrounded by people, her short stature nearly engulfed by the others. Several students were talking to her, gesturing excitedly. She was listening with an indulgent smile and thumping her cane enthusiastically. Concordia was struck by how pleasant the old lady looked when she smiled. Miss Banning made her way to a nearby bench, aided by Julian
