This was not altogether their fault . Ruth was poor and apparently friendless , but it was not her poverty that was against her . Lou Scott , who was `` as poor as a church mouse , '' to quote her own frank admission , was the most popular girl in the seminary , the boon companion of the richest girls , and in demand with everybody . But Lou was jolly and frank and offhanded , while Ruth was painfully shy and reserved , and that was the secret of the whole matter . There was `` no fun in her , '' the girls said , and so it came about that she was left out of their social life , and was almost as solitary at Oaklawn as if she had been the only girl there . She was there for the special purpose of studying music , and expected to earn her own living by teaching it when she left . She believed that the girls looked down on her on this account ; this was unjust , of course , but Ruth had no idea how much her own coldness and reserve had worked against her . Across the room Carol Golden was , as usual , the centre of an animated group ; Golden Carol as her particular friends sometimes called her , partly because of her beautiful voice , and partly because of her wonderful fleece of golden hair . Carol was one of the seminary pets , and seemed to Ruth Mannering to have everything that she had not . Presently the mail was brought in , and there was a rush to the table , followed by exclamations of satisfaction or disappointment . In a few minutes the room was almost deserted . Only two girls remained : Carol Golden , who had dropped into a big chair to read her many letters ; and Ruth Mannering , who had not received any and had gone silently back to her part of the window . Presently Carol gave a little cry of delight . Her mother had written that she might invite any friend she wished home with her to spend the holidays . Carol had asked for this permission , and now that it had come was ready to dance for joy . As to whom she would ask , there could be only one answer to that . Of course it must be her particular friend , Maud Russell , who was the cleverest and prettiest girl at Oaklawn , at least so her admirers said . She was undoubtedly the richest , and was the acknowledged `` leader . '' The girls affectionately called her `` Princess , '' and Carol adored her with that romantic affection that is found only among school girls . She knew , too , that Maud would surely accept her invitation because she did not intend to go home .
Her parents were travelling XXXXX Europe , and she expected to spend her holidays with some cousins , who were almost strangers to her .
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