He had already paid the tuition for the year, and was in doubt as to its repayment.

As a matter of fact, the negotiation took about two weeks.
During that time Helen Thorpe went through her disappointment and emerged on the other side.

Her nature was at once strong and adaptable.
One by one she grappled with the different aspects of the case, and turned them the other way.

By a tour de force she actually persuaded herself that her own plan was not really attractive to her.

But what heart-breaks and tears this cost her, only those who in their youth have encountered such absolute negations of cherished ideas can guess.
Then Thorpe told her.
"I've fixed it, Helen," said he.