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diff --git a/7479.txt b/7479.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c240e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/7479.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5463 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Dorothy Dainty at Glenmore, by Amy Brooks, +Illustrated by Amy Brooks + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Dorothy Dainty at Glenmore + + +Author: Amy Brooks + + + +Release Date: February, 2005 [EBook #7479] +[This file was first posted on May 8, 2003] +[Most recently updated: February 4, 2006] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE*** + + +E-text prepared by Charles Franks and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net/) and revised by Jason +Isbell and Emmy + + + +Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this + file which includes the original illustrations. + See 7479-h.htm or 7479-h.zip: + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/7/4/7/7479/7479-h/7479-h.htm) + or + (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/7/4/7/7479/7479-h.zip) + + + + + +DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE + +by + +AMY BROOKS + +With Illustrations by the Author + + + + + + + +[Illustration--Book Cover] + + +[Illustration: "A LETTER FROM VERA!" ANSWERED DOROTHY.--_Page 3._] + + + + + * * * * * + + + +Popular Stories. + +BY AMY BROOKS. + +Each illustrated by the Author. + +THE RANDY BOOKS. + +12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. _Net_ $1.00 each + + RANDY'S SUMMER. RANDY'S GOOD TIMES. + RANDY'S WINTER. RANDY'S LUCK. + RANDY AND HER FRIENDS. RANDY'S LOYALTY. + RANDY AND PRUE. RANDY'S PRINCE. + + * * * * * + + + + +For Younger Readers. + +DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES. + +Large 12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. Set in large English +type. Price, _net_, $1.00 each. + + DOROTHY DAINTY. + DOROTHY'S PLAYMATES. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT SCHOOL. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE SHORE. + DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE CITY. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT HOME. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S GAY TIMES. + DOROTHY DAINTY IN THE COUNTRY. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S WINTER. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT THE MOUNTAINS. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S HOLIDAYS. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S VACATION. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S VISIT. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT CRESTVILLE. + DOROTHY DAINTY'S NEW FRIENDS. + DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE. + +THE PRUE BOOKS. + +12mo. Cloth. Cover Designs by the Author. _Net_ $1.00 each. + + LITTLE SISTER PRUE. PRUE'S MERRY TIMES. + PRUE AT SCHOOL. PRUE'S LITTLE FRIENDS. + PRUE'S PLAYMATES. PRUE'S JOLLY WINTER. + + * * * * * + +A JOLLY CAT TALE. Large 12mo. Cloth. Profusely Illustrated. Price _Net_ +$1.00 + + + + * * * * * + + + +Boston +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. +Dorothy Dainty +Trade-Mark +Registered in U.S. Patent Office +Published, August, 1917 +Copyright, 1917, by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. +All rights reserved +DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE +Norwood Press +Berwick & Smith Co. +Norwood, Mass. +U.S.A. + + + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I OFF TO GLENMORE 1 + + II THE FIRST SOCIAL 18 + + III MISCHIEF 40 + + IV A WONDERFUL TONIC 61 + + V A SLEIGHING PARTY 82 + + VI THE LOST NECKLACE 99 + + VII WHEN NANCY DANCED 122 + + VIII A BIT OF SPITE 138 + + IX THE WISHING-WELL 157 + + X A LIVELY WEEK 181 + + XI AN INNOCENT SNEAK-THIEF 202 + + XII A GLAD RETURN 219 + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS + + + "A letter from Vera!" answered Dorothy (Page 3) _Frontispiece_ + + FACING + PAGE + She wished that she might know what they were saying 32 + + "Oh, what a fright!" she cried 74 + + "This necklace is mine!" returned the accused girl excitedly 112 + + At the end of the wall Betty and Valerie waited 150 + + Drawing closer, Nancy whispered a rare bit of news 186 + + + + +DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +OFF TO GLENMORE + + +The Stone House looked as fine, and its gardens as gay with flowers, as +when the members of the household were to be at home for a season, for +it always seemed at those times as if the blossoming plants did their +best, because sure of loving admiration. + +But something entirely new was about to happen; something that made +Dorothy Dainty catch her breath, while her dearest friend, Nancy Ferris, +declared that she was wildly happy, except that the whole thing seemed +so like a dream that she could hardly believe it. + +"That's just it, Nancy," said Dorothy. "It surely does seem like a +dream." + +Yet it was true, and not a dream that Mr. Dainty was to be away from +home for some months, that Mrs. Dainty was to accompany him, and that +Aunt Charlotte would be with them, and that Dorothy and Nancy were to +spend those months at a fine school for girls, and Vera Vane, merry, +mischief-loving Vera, would be eagerly looking for them on the day of +their arrival. One would almost wonder that the thought of being away at +school should appeal to Dorothy and Nancy, but it was the novelty that +charmed them. + +It was always delightful at the Stone House, and there had been summer +seasons at shore and country that they had greatly enjoyed, but here +was a new experience, and the "newness" was delightful. + +A letter from Vera had just arrived, and Dorothy, out in the garden when +the postman had handed it to her, stood reading it. + +"Her letters are just like herself," she whispered. + +She looked up. Nancy was calling to her. + +"A letter from Vera!" answered Dorothy. + +"We shall have to hurry a bit," Nancy said, "James is strapping the two +trunks, the suit-cases are out in the hall, and we must be ready in +twenty minutes." + +"All right!" cried Dorothy. "Give me your hand and we'll run to the +house." + +She tucked the letter into the front of her blouse, and then promptly +forgot all about it. + +The "twenty minutes" sped on wings, and when at last Dorothy and Nancy +sat side by side in the car, their trunks checked, their suit-cases, and +umbrellas on the seat that had been turned over for them, they turned, +each to look into the other's eyes. + +Dorothy's lip quivered, but she spoke bravely. + +"It is hard, this first trip away from home without mother or Aunt +Charlotte with us," she said. Then quickly she added: + +"But it will be fine when we get used to being away from home." + +"Oh, yes, it will be _fine_!" Nancy said in a firm voice, but she looked +down, lest her eyes show a suspicious moisture. + +As the journey progressed, their spirits rose. After all, it was not +really "good-by," yet. + +Mrs. Dainty had postponed the actual "good-by" until a week after +Dorothy and Nancy should have begun the school year at Glenmore. + +She knew that Vera Vane was a host in herself, her friend and chum, +Elfreda was nearly her equal in active wit, and high spirits, and at +least a few of the other pupils would have already formed a speaking +acquaintance with the two new girls. + +The girls would have been assigned places in the classes for which they +were fitted, and thus the school work would be planned, and their time +closely occupied. + +Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte were also eager to know if the two who +were so dear to them were comfortable, satisfied with their +surroundings, and looking forward to a pleasant school year. Until thus +assured, they could not set out on the journey, for the trip had been +planned as a means of rest and recuperation for Mrs. Dainty. How could +she rest, or enjoy the trip unless she were sure that Dorothy was +absolutely content and happy? If Dorothy were happy, Nancy was sure to +be, because the two were inseparable, and their tastes nearly identical. + +The two girls were a bit tired of looking from the window at the flying +scenery, and Nancy expressed the wish that they had brought something +with them to read. + +"I did," Dorothy said, with a laugh, and she drew Vera's letter from her +blouse. + +She read it aloud, while Nancy leaned against her shoulder, enjoying it +with her. + +"I wish you had come the first day that school opened, but I'll be on +the lookout for you and Nancy. My! But we'll have fun and a plenty of it +this year at Glenmore," she concluded, signed her name, and then added a +postscript. + + "Patricia, and Arabella are here, both--no, + _each_--oh, which _should_ I say? Anyway, they're + acting just outrageous, and already they've earned + the name that the girls have given them. They call + them 'The Freaks,' and truly the name fits. They + speak of Patricia as 'the one with the queer + clothes,' and of Arabella as 'the medicine-chest.' + + "She's taking more pills, I do believe, than she + ever did at home, and she wants folks to notice + that. + + "The idea! I'm glad there are two _nice_ girls + coming from Merrivale, although you'd never think + Patricia ever _saw_ the place, for she talks of + nothing but 'N'York.' My brother Bob always laughs + about my long postscripts. It's lucky he can't see + this one! + + "Lovingly, + + "VERA." + +Dorothy folded the letter, again placing it in her blouse, and then for +a time they watched the passengers. + +Opposite them was a big woman, who possessed three bird-cages, two +holding birds, and the third imprisoning a kitten. + +There was a lean man with a fat little girl beside him, who ate +countless lunches, which were packed in a big basket, that seemed a +veritable horn of plenty. + +Yet a bit farther up the aisle was a small boy with a large cage that he +watched closely. + +A thick cloth covered it, but once, when the boy was not looking, a long +brown furry arm reached out, and snatched mischievously at his sleeve. + +"It's a monkey," whispered Nancy, and the boy turned and grinned. + +"'F _he_ knew there was a monkey in that cage he'd make me put it in the +baggage car," he said. + +Dorothy was tired with the long ride, and just as she was thinking that +she could not bear much more of it, the brakeman shouted, "Glenmore! +Glenmore!" and the two girls were glad enough to get out upon the +platform. + +Glenmore, the village, was a lovely little country place, quiet, and +evidently content with itself. + +Glenmore, the school, was a rambling, picturesque home for the pupils +who came there. + +Once it had been a private mansion, but its interior had been remodeled +to meet the requirements of a small, and select school for girls. + +A bit old-fashioned in that it was more genuinely homelike than other +private schools, it held itself proudly aloof from neighboring +buildings. + +It claimed that its home atmosphere was the only old-fashioned thing +about it, and that was not an idle boast, for the old house had been +equipped with every modern convenience. Its instructors were the best +that a generous salary could tempt to Glenmore, and Mrs. Marvin, owner, +promoter, and manager of the school, was an exceedingly clever woman for +the position. + +As assistant, Miss Fenler, small, and wiry, did all that was required of +her, and more. She had never been appointed as a monitor, but she chose +to do considerable spying, so that the pupils had come to speak of her +as the "detective." + +One of her many duties was to see that the carryall was at the station +when new pupils were to arrive. + +Accordingly when Dorothy and Nancy left the train, and found themselves +on the platform, Miss Fenler was looking for them, and she stowed them +away in the carryall much as if they had been only ordinary baggage. + +Then, seating herself beside the driver, she ordered him to return. + +"Home," she said, and "home" they were driven, for "home" meant Glenmore +to the colored man, who considered himself a prominent official of the +school. + +Classes were in session when they reached Glenmore, so Miss Fenler went +with them to the pretty room that was to be theirs, a maid following +with suit-cases, the colored man bringing up the rear with one trunk, +and a promise to return on the next trip with the other. + +A class-room door, half open, allowed a glimpse of the new arrivals. + +"See the procession with the 'Fender' ahead," whispered a saucy miss. + +"Her name's 'Fenler,'" corrected her chum. + +"I know that, but I choose to call her 'Fender,' because she's like +those they have on engines to scoop up any one who is on the tracks. +She's just been down to the station to 'scoop' two new pupils, and I +guess--" + +A tap of a ruler left the sentence unfinished. + +Arabella Correyville, without an idea as to what was whispered, had seen +the broad smile, and had heard the giggle. + +"Who was out there?" she wrote on a bit of paper, and cautiously passed +it to Patricia Levine. + +"I don't know. I didn't see them, but they must be _swell_. They had +ever so much luggage." That was just like Patricia. She judged every one +thus. + +That a girl could be every inch a lady, and at the same time, possess a +small, well chosen wardrobe was past understanding; but any girl, +however coarse in appearance and manner, could, with a display of many +gaudy costumes, convince Patricia that she was a young person of great +importance. + +Miss Fenler talked with them for a few moments, and then left them to +unpack their belongings, saying that later, when they felt rested, they +might come down to the reception hall and meet some of the girls who +would be their classmates during the year. + +It was the custom, she said, for the pupils to meet for a social +half-hour before dinner, to talk over the happenings of the day, their +triumphs or failures in class-room, or at sports, or to tell what had +interested those who had been out for a tramp. + +There had been an afternoon session that day for the purpose of choosing +from the list of non-compulsory studies. + +"Usually," Miss Fenler explained, "the classes meet for recitations in +the forenoon only, the afternoons being reserved for study, and when +lessons were prepared, for recreation." + +Miss Fenler left them, closing the door softly behind her. + +Dorothy turned to look at Nancy. + +"What do you think of her?" Nancy said, asking the question that she +knew was puzzling Dorothy. + +After a second's thought Dorothy said: + +"We shall get on with her, I believe, but I can't think Arabella or +Patricia would be very comfortable here. Really, they will be obliged to +study here, and Arabella won't want to, and I don't think Patricia +could. If they don't study, how can they remain?" + +Nancy laughed outright. + +"Don't worry about those two funny girls," she said, "for if they +_won't_ study, or _can't_ study, and so are not allowed to remain, +you'll be just as happy, Dorothy dear, and for that matter, so will +they." + +Later, when together they descended the quaint stairway, they found the +ever-present Miss Fenler, waiting to present them. + +Vera Vane, and Elfreda Carleton, each with an arm about the other's +waist, hastened forward to greet them. + +"Oh, we're so glad you and Nancy have--" + +"Just a moment Miss Vane, until you have been properly presented," Miss +Fenler said, in a cold, precise manner. + +"But I've always known Dorothy--" + +"That makes no difference," the assistant said, and she presented them +in formal manner. + +Vera raised her eyebrows, presented the tips of her fingers, and told +Dorothy in a high, squeaky voice that she was _very_ glad to know her. +Elf did the same in an exact copy of Vera's manner. + +Several of the pupils giggled, but to their credit, Dorothy and Nancy +managed not to laugh. + +When a half-dozen girls had been presented, some one told Miss Fenler +that Mrs. Marvin wished to see her, and what had begun in a stilted +manner, became a genuine girl's social. + +When the clock in the hall chimed six, and they turned toward the long +dining-room, the two new pupils had already made the acquaintance of +several girls, who sat beside, and opposite them at the table. + +From a distant table Patricia and Arabella were turning to attract their +attention. + +It had happened that Arabella had chosen to remain in her room during +the half-hour reunion. + +"I don't feel like talking to a crowd of girls to-night," she had said. + +"My! If you don't care to talk to girls, it must be you'd rather talk to +boys!" Patricia said, laughing. + +"I would _not_!" Arabella remarked, with a flash in her eyes that one +rarely saw. + +"Oh, _do_ excuse me!" Patricia said, "but that's all right, for I'll +stay right here and talk to you." + +Arabella was not in much of a mood for listening, either, but she +thought it best not to say so. At any other time, Arabella would have +listened for hours to whatever Patricia might care to say, but to-night +she was in a contrary mood. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE FIRST SOCIAL + + +Two weeks at Glenmore, and Dorothy and Nancy were content. Letters from +Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte assured them that the dear travelers were +well, and that already Mrs. Dainty was feeling the benefit of the change +of scene. + +Mrs. Dainty had engaged a large, front room at Glenmore for the two +girls to enjoy as a sitting-room and study, from which led a tastefully +furnished chamber, and already they called it their "school home." + +Patricia and Arabella had a fair-sized room farther down the corridor. +Vera Vane and Elfreda Carleton were snugly settled in cozy quarters a +few doors beyond the one that bore Dorothy's and Nancy's names. Patricia +Levine had ordered a large card, elaborately lettered in red and green, +announcing that: + + THIS SUITE IS OCCUPIED + + BY + + MISS P. LEVINE + + AND + + MISS A. CORREYVILLE + +A small card was all that was necessary, indeed only a small card was +permitted, but Patricia did not know that. After her usual manner of +doing things, she had ordered a veritable placard of the village sign +painter, and when she had tacked it upon the door, it fairly _shouted_, +in red and green ink. + +"There!" she exclaimed, "I guess when the other girls see that, they'll +think the two who have this room are pretty swell." + +"Isn't it,--rather--loud?" ventured Arabella timidly. + +Patricia's eyes blazed. + +"_Loud?_" she cried. "Well, what do you want? A card that will whisper?" + +"Maybe it's all right," Arabella said quickly, to which Patricia +responded: + +"Of course it's all right. It's more than all right! It's very el'gant!" + +Arabella was no match for her room-mate, and whenever a question arose +regarding any matter of mutual interest, it was always Patricia who +settled it, and Arabella who meekly agreed that she was probably right. + +Arabella was not gentle, indeed she possessed a decidedly contrary +streak, but she always feared offending Patricia, because Patricia could +be very disagreeable when opposed. + +Patricia was still admiring the gaudy lettering when a door at the far +end of the corridor opened. + +She sprang back into her room, closed the door and standing close to it +waited to hear if the big card provoked admiring comment. + +Nearer came the footsteps. + +Could they pass without seeing it? They paused--then: + +"Well, just look at that!" + +"A regular sign-board!" + +A few moments the two outside the door stood whispering, then one +giggled, and together they walked to the stairway and descended, +laughing all the way. + +Patricia opened the door and peeped out. "It was that red-haired girl, +and the black-haired one that are always together," she reported to +Arabella. + +"Now, what in the world were they laughing at?" + +"Laughing at the big card, I suppose," Arabella said. + +"Well, there's nothing funny about that," Patricia said, hotly. "It cost +ever so much more than the _teenty_ little cards on the other doors +did." Patricia rated everything by its cost. + +"They knew that big card looked fine, and they certainly could see that +the lettering was showy," she continued; "so why did they stand outside +the door giggling?" + +"How do I know?" Arabella said. + +"Open the door, and we'll look at it again, and see if--" + +A smart tap upon the door caused Arabella to stop in the middle of the +sentence. + +"S'pose it's those same girls?" whispered Patricia. "If I thought it was +I wouldn't stir a step." + +A second rap, louder, and more insistent than the first brought both +girls to their feet, and Patricia flew to open the door. + +Miss Fenler glared at them through her glasses. + +"Why did you not answer my first rap?" she asked. + +"We didn't know it was you," said Patricia. + +Ignoring the excuse, Miss Fenler continued: "I called to tell you to +remove that great card, and put a small one in its place with only your +names upon it, and in regard to your efforts to obtain work, you can not +have any such notice upon your door. Instead you must leave your names +at the office and I will see if any of the pupils will patronize you." + +"I don't know what you mean!" cried Patricia, flushed and angry. + +For answer Miss Fenler pointed to a line penciled on the lower edge of +the placard which read: + + _Patching and mending done + at reasonable prices._ + +"We never wrote that!" cried Arabella, "and we don't want to be +patronized." + +"The red-haired girl, and the black-haired girl that are always +together, stopped at the door and did something, and then went down +stairs laughing all the way," screamed Patricia. "'Twas one of those two +who wrote that." + +"I must ask you to talk quietly," Miss Fenler said, "and as to the +writing, I'll look into that. In the meantime I'll get a small card for +you to put in place of that large one." + +She left the room, and as soon as she was well out of hearing, Patricia +vowed vengeance upon the two girls who had written the provoking legend. + +"I'll get even with them!" she said. + +"How will you?" Arabella asked. + +"I don't know yet, but you'd better believe I'll watch for a chance!" + +"I'll watch, too!" cried Arabella. + +It was the custom at Glenmore to hold a little informal reception on an +evening of the third week after the school had opened. + +Its purpose was to have pupils of all the classes present so that those +who never met in the recitation-rooms might become acquainted. + +When the announcement appeared upon the bulletin board it caused a +flurry of excitement. + +Dorothy and Nancy had already found new friends, and were eager to meet +others whose agreeable ways had interested them. + +"It's such a pleasant place," Dorothy said one morning as she stood +brushing her hair, "and so many pleasant faces in the big class-room. I +saw at least a dozen I'd like to know, when we were having the morning +exercises, and there's ever so many more that we have yet to meet." + +"And Tuesday evening is sure to be jolly. There'll be a crowd to talk +with, and one of the girls told me to-day that there's almost sure to be +some music, either vocal or instrumental, and she said that last year +they often had fine readers at the receptions," Nancy concluded. + +They were on their way to the class-room, when Patricia and Arabella +joined them. + +"Is the social to be a dressy affair?" Patricia asked, adding: "I hope +it is, because _I_ shall be dressy, whether any one else is or not." + +They had reached the class-room door so that there was no time for +either Dorothy or Nancy to reply to the silly remark if they had cared +to do so. + + * * * * * + +At eight o'clock nearly all the pupils had assembled in the big +reception-room, and the hum of voices told that each was doing her best +to outdo her neighbor. Near the center of the room a group of girls +stood talking. It was evident that the theme of their conversation was +not engrossing, for twice their leader, Betty Chase, had replied at +random while her eyes roved toward the door, and Valerie Dare remarked +that her chum had been reading such a romantic story, that she was +eagerly looking for a knight in full armor to appear. + +"Be still!" cried Betty. "You know very well what I'm looking for." + +"I do indeed," Valerie admitted. "Say, girls! You all know the two that +are always together, the one with goggles that we've dubbed the +'medicine chest,' and her chum who wears all the rainbow colors whenever +and wherever she appears?" + +"Surely, but what are their names?" inquired a pale, sickly-looking girl +who had joined the group. + +"Don't know their names," said Betty, "but I heard Miss Rainbow telling +her friend that she intended to wear 'something very dressy' to-night, +so I'm eager to see her. My! Here she comes now." + +"Good gracious!" gasped Valerie, under her breath. + +With head very high, Patricia rushed, rather than walked across the +room, until she reached the center, when she stopped as if to permit +every one to obtain a good view of her costume. Her bold manner made her +more absurd even than her dress which was, as Betty Chase declared, +"_surprising_!" + +Turning slowly around to the right, then deliberately to the left, she +appeared to feel herself a paragon of fashion, a model dressed to give +the pupils of Glenmore a chance to observe something a bit finer than +they had ever seen before. + +As Patricia slowly turned, Arabella, like a satellite, as slowly +revolved about her. + +Who could wonder that a wave of soft laughter swept over the room. It +was evident that vanity equalling that of the peacock moved Patricia to +turn about that every one might see both front and back of her dress, +but no one could have guessed why Arabella in a plain brown woolen dress +kept pace with her silly friend. + +It was not vanity that kept droll little Arabella moving. No, indeed. + +Thus far, Arabella had made no new acquaintances. + +As she entered the reception-room with Patricia she saw only a sea of +strange faces, and with a wild determination at least to have Patricia +to speak to, she trotted around her, that she might not, at any moment, +find herself talking to Patricia's back. + +That surely would be awkward, she thought. + +Patricia's dress was a light gray silk, tastefully made, and had she +been content to wear it as it had been sent to her from New York, she +would have looked well-dressed, and no one would have made comments upon +her appearance. + +The soft red girdle gave a touch of color, but not nearly enough to +please Patricia. + +At the village store she had purchased ribbons of many colors, from +which she had made bows or rosettes of every hue, and these she had +tacked upon her slippers. Her hair was tied with a bright blue ribbon, +and over the shoulders of her blouse she had sewed pink and yellow +ribbons. Narrow green edged her red girdle. + +Blue and buff, rose and orange, straw-color and lavender, surely not a +tint was missing, and the result was absolutely comical! One would have +thought that a lunatic had designed the costume. + +And when she believed that her dress had been seen from all angles, +Patricia left the reception-room, passing to a larger room beyond, where +she seated herself, and at once assumed a bored expression. Not the +least interest in other pupils had she. She had come to the little +social to be gazed at, and as soon as she believed that all must have +seen her, the party held no further interest for her. + +She heard the buzz of whispered conversation in the room that she had +left, and she wished that she might know what they were saying. It was +well that she could not. + +"What an unpleasant-looking girl!" said one. + +"Wasn't that dress a regular rainbow?" whispered another. + +"Oh, but she was funny, turning around for us to see her, just like a +wax dummy in a store window," said a third. + +[Illustration: SHE WISHED THAT SHE MIGHT KNOW WHAT THEY WERE +SAYING.--_Page 32._] + +"She's queer to go off by herself!" remarked the first one who had +spoken. + +"We're not very nice," said Betty Chase, who thus far had not spoken, +"that is not very kind, to be so busily talking about her." + +"Well, I declare, Betty, who'd ever dream that you, who are always +getting into scrapes would boldly give us a lecture." + +Betty's black eyes flashed. + +"I know I get into funny scrapes," she snapped, "but whatever I do, I +don't talk about people, Ida Mayo." + +"You don't have time to," exclaimed her chum, Valerie Dare. "It takes +all your spare time to plan mischief." + +In the laugh that followed, Betty forgot that she was vexed. + +Patricia began to find it rather dull sitting alone in a room back of +the reception-hall. + +She felt that she had entered the hall in a burst of glory; had fairly +dazzled all beholders! + +She had believed that the girls would be so entranced with her +appearance that they would follow her that they might again inspect her +costume. + +She was amazed that she had been permitted to sit alone if she chose. + +The other pupils thought it strange that she should choose to remain +alone instead of becoming acquainted with those who were to be her +schoolmates for the year, but believing that she was determined to be +unsocial, they made no effort to disturb her. + +Arabella, who had followed her, became curious as to what was going on +in the hall, and from time to time, crept to the wide doorway, peeped +out to get a better view, then returned to report what she had seen. + +"Everybody is talking to Dorothy and Nancy," she said in a stage +whisper, then: + +"Vera Vane seems to know almost every one already, and Elf Carleton is +telling a funny story, and making all the girls around her laugh. + +"And, Patricia, you _ought_ to come here and see Betty Chase. She has a +long straw, and she's tickling Valerie's neck with it. Valerie doesn't +dream what it is, and while she's talking, keeps trying to brush off the +tickly thing. Come and see her!" + +Patricia did not stir. She longed to see the fun, but she felt rather +abashed to come out from her corner. + +The sound of a violin being tuned proved too tempting, however, and she +joined Arabella in the doorway. + +One of the youngest pupils stood, violin in hand, while, at the piano, +Betty Chase was playing the prelude. Lina Danford handled the bow +cleverly, and played her little solo with evident ease. + +Her audience was delighted, and gayly their hands clapped their +approval. The two in the doorway stood quite still, and gave no evidence +of pleasure. Arabella was too spunkless to applaud; Patricia was too +jealous. + +Arabella, after her own dull fashion, had enjoyed the music. + +Patricia surely had not. + +Patricia never could bear to see or hear _any one_ do _anything_! + +"Let's go up to our room," she whispered. + +"P'rhaps some of the others will play or sing," ventured Arabella, who +wished to remain. + +"_Let_ 'em!" Patricia said, even her whisper showing that she was vexed. + +"'_Let_ 'em?'" Arabella drawled. "Why I'll have to let 'em. I couldn't +stop them, and I don't want to. I'd like to hear them." + +"Then stay and hear them!" snapped Patricia, and she rushed out into the +midst of the groups of listeners, and dashed up the stairway before Miss +Fenler could stop her. + +What could have been more rude and ill-bred than to leave in such haste, +thereby disturbing those who were enjoying the music? + +Arabella's first thought was to follow Patricia lest she be angry, but +she saw Miss Fenler's effort to stay Patricia, and she dared not leave +the room. + +Arabella felt as if she were between two desperate people. + +She feared Miss Fenler, as did every pupil at Glenmore, and by remaining +where she was, she certainly was not offending her, but she could not +forget Patricia. What a temper she would be in when, after the concert +was over, Arabella, cautiously, would turn the latch, and enter their +chamber! + +Patricia was wide awake, and listening, when at last Arabella reached +their door. Softly she tried to open it so carefully that if Patricia +were asleep she might remain so. + +Patricia had turned the key in the lock, and she fully enjoyed lying +comfortably on the bed, and listening while on the other side of the +door her chum was turning the knob first one way and then the other. + +There's no knowing how long she would have permitted Arabella to stand +out in the hall, but suddenly she remembered that Miss Fenler strode +down the corridors every night after lights were supposed to be out, +just to learn if any one of the girls were defying the rule. + +With a rather loud "O _dear_!" Patricia flounced out of bed, went to the +door, pretended to be so sleepy that she could not at once find the +key, and then, as the door opened, gave an exaggerated yawn. + +For once Arabella was quick-witted. + +"Miss Fenler is just coming up the stairs," she said. + +Patricia forgot the scolding that she had been preparing for Arabella, +and instead she said: + +"Hurry! Put out the light. You can undress in the dark, but for +goodness' sake, don't stumble over anything!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +MISCHIEF + + +A few days later, Dorothy stood at the window looking out upon a +windswept road, where not even so much as a dry leaf remained to tell of +the vanished Autumn. + +The sky was cloud-covered, and the gaunt trees bent and swayed as if a +giant arm were shaking them. + +"We missed our afternoon trip down to the village," she said, "but no +one would care to walk in this gale, and even--why, who--? Nancy, come +here! _Isn't_ that Patricia?" + +Nancy ran to the window. + +"Why, no--yes,--Well, it certainly is Patricia," she said. + +"And just look at the parcel she's carrying!" + +"Whatever it is, she must have wanted it, to go out such day as this," +said Nancy, "and look! Miss Fenler is out on the porch,--why, she's +actually feeling of it to see what's in the parcel. Really, I don't see +why it's all right for her to do that." + +"It does seem queer," agreed Dorothy, "but you know it is the rule that +the girls must not bring large parcels into this house, unless they're +willing to show what is in them. + +"There! The paper has burst open, and,--Well, did you see that?" + +Miss Fenler was actually thrusting a long bony finger into the opening +with the hope of learning if anything that had been forbidden, was +being smuggled into the house inside the folds of gayly flowered goods +that Patricia had declared was a tea-gown. After a moment, Miss Fenler +nodded as if dismissing the matter, and Patricia, her chin very high, +passed into the hall. Miss Fenler turned to look after her, as if not +sure if she had done wisely in permitting Patricia to enter with so +large a bundle, without first compelling her to open it, and spread its +contents for inspection. + +Patricia's eyes had flashed when questioned about her parcel, but once +inside the hall, her anger increased, and she mounted the stairs, +tramping along the upper hall so noisily that several pupils looked out +to learn who had arrived. Farther down the hall a door opened, and Betty +Chase's laughing face looked out. She, too, had seen Patricia and Miss +Fenler on the porch and, while she did not like Patricia, she detested +the woman who seemed to enjoy spying, so her sympathy was, of course, +with the pupil. + +"Had a scrap with the 'Fender'? I'd half a mind to say 'cow-catcher,'" +she said. + +"Well, what if I did?" Patricia said, rudely, and walked on toward her +room. + +Betty looked after her. + +"Well, of all things!" she whispered, then said, "The next time you need +sympathy, try to buy some at the grocer's. Don't look to me!" + +Patricia had done a rude, and foolish thing. Betty Chase was a favorite, +and Patricia had longed to be one of her friends, but thus far Betty had +been surrounded by her classmates, who hovered about her so persistently +that the pupils from Merrivale had not yet become acquainted with her. +Betty had hailed Patricia pleasantly, and she really might have paused +for a little chat, but she was one of those unpleasant persons who, when +some one person has annoyed her, is vexed with the whole world. She took +little heed as to where she was going, and stamped along, muttering some +of the many wrathful thoughts that filled her mind. + +Reaching a door that stood ajar, she pushed it open, and rushed in +exclaiming: + +"The horrid old thing tried to pick open my parcel, but I wouldn't let +her. I guess Miss Sharp-eyes won't try again to--Why, where are you, +Arabella?" + +A tall, thin girl with a pale face and colorless hair emerged from the +closet where she had been hanging some garments. + +"Do you rush into people's rooms, and call them names?" she asked in a +peculiar drawl. + +Patricia for once, was too surprised to speak. + +"My name is not Arabella, nor Miss Sharp-eyes," concluded the girl. + +"I--I beg your pardon. I thought this was my own room," gasped Patricia, +and rushing from the room, opened the next door on which her own name +and Arabella's appeared. She flew in, banging the door behind her. + +Arabella sprang to her feet, dropped her glasses, picked them up, and +setting them upon her nose, stared through them at Patricia. + +"Don't you speak a single word!" commanded Patricia, "for I'm 'bout as +mad as I can be now, and if I get any madder--" + +She stopped in sheer amazement, for Arabella had put on her hat, and was +now getting into her coat. + +"Where are you going?" demanded Patricia, but Arabella put her left hand +over her lips, while with her right she slipped another button into its +buttonhole, and sidled toward the door. + +Patricia sprang forward, locked the door, took Arabella by the shoulder, +and pushed her toward a chair. Surprised, and calmed by Arabella's +silence, and her attempt to leave the room, Patricia now spoke in an +injured tone. + +"I'd never believe you'd start to go out, when I'd just come in so +vexed, and with loads of things to tell you. For goodness' sake, can't +you answer?" + +"You told me not to say a word," said Arabella, "and you looked so cross +that I just didn't dare to, and I was going out so I'd be sure not to." + +Patricia was flattered to learn that Arabella had actually been afraid +of her. "Goosie!" she cried, "when will you learn that I don't always +mean all that I say! Old Sharp-eyes didn't really open my bundle. Come +over here and see what was hidden in it." + +She opened the parcel of gaily-flowered cotton, and began to unfold the +goods. + +"There!" she cried when the last fold was loosed, and six packages were +proudly displayed. + +"Good gracious!" cried Arabella, "I don't see how you got inside the +door with all those things, for I saw her pinching your bundle, and +you'd think that she must have felt those little parcels even if they +were wrapped inside that cloth." + +"Well, you may be very sure she didn't feel them, for if she had, I'd +never had them to show you." + +It was, indeed, a fixed rule at Glenmore that pupils, except by special +permission, should bring no food into the building, the reason being +that plenty of good food was provided at meal times, and eating between +meals was forbidden. + +Patricia's idea of a "treat" was a variety of all sorts, but never a +thought had she as to whether the articles that she chose would combine +well. + +Arabella, often annoyed with indigestion, gazed at the "treat" that +Patricia had placed upon the little table, and wondered how she would +feel when she had eaten her share. + +And eat it she must, for Patricia never would forgive her if she did +not. More than that, she must not refuse anything, because Patricia +would consider that a sure sign that her "treat" had failed to please, +and for a week at least, would talk of Arabella as ungrateful. + + * * * * * + +In a room farther up the corridor, Vera and Elf were laughing and +chuckling over much the same trick as that which Patricia had played, +only that Vera and Elf had brought a huge parcel into the house, and had +not been questioned regarding it. + +It was late afternoon when Vera had returned from the village. Dorothy +saw her far up the road, and wondered why she walked so slowly, but as +she neared the gateway, it was evident that she carried a heavy parcel. +Her storm-coat had a deep cape, but it only partly hid the bundle. + +She looked up toward the window where Dorothy stood, laughed, and made a +gesture to indicate that she was going around to the rear of the house. + +"Nancy, what do you suppose the girls are up to?" + +"Vera has just come from the village with a bundle twice as big as the +one Miss Fenler found Patricia bringing in, and she has gone around +toward the back door with it." + +"She's trying to dodge Miss Fenler," Nancy said. + +"But, Nancy, she can't get to her room from the back way. The back door +leads into the kitchen. There's no back stairway." + +"I know that," Nancy said, "but Vera isn't going around the house for +the sake of a walk. She's intending to get in the back way I do believe. +I wonder if she has coaxed one of the maids to help her. Come on, down +the hall to the big window that has a balcony under it. We'll see if she +really gets in." + +Dorothy clasped Nancy's outstretched hand and they ran softly along the +hall, reaching the window just in time to see a bulky-looking bundle +swinging from a rope, and occasionally bumping against the house as it +made its way slowly upward. + +On the ground stood Vera eagerly looking up, while, from the window of +their room Elf reached out, desperately struggling to draw the heavy +bundle up to the window sill. + +"Don't stand there looking up at me!" she said in a voice hardly above a +whisper. "Come up here before somebody sees you." Vera lost no time in +doing as Elf said, while Dorothy and Nancy wasted not a moment, but sped +down the hall, and once safely in their room, sat down, laughing at what +they had seen. + +Meanwhile, Vera raced along the hall, and into her room, flew to the +window and soon the precious bundle lay on the floor, the two girls +bending over it. + +"Oo-oo! Cream-cakes! A box of fudge, frosted cake!" cried Elf, then. +"What's in this tin can?" + +"Oysters," said Vera, "and we'll have a hot stew to-night after every +one is in bed!" + +"My! But how can we cook it?" Elf asked. + +"In the can," said Vera. "That's easy 'nough. There's a pint of oysters, +and three pints of milk all shaken up together in that two-quart can. We +can heat it over the gas jet. I'm sure they'll cook all right." + +"Why, Vera Vane! It will take _hours_ to make it boil over that gas jet. +I guess we'll enjoy taking turns holding it, while we wait for it to +cook!" + +"Pooh! It'll taste so good we'll forget our arms ache when we get the +very first spoonful!" + +Elf was not sure about that, but Vera had a way of speaking as if what +she said settled the matter, so although not convinced, Elf made no +reply. "Come! Help me put these things away," cried Vera. "We don't want +any one to know about our fine little after-bedtime party, and we ought +to hide our treat before some one comes to our door." + +So the cakes and fudge were placed on the shelf in the closet, where +with the big can full of oysters and milk they became close neighbors +with the hat-boxes. + +Then Vera and Elf sat down to prepare their lessons for the next day. + +They had invited Betty Chase and her chum, Valerie Dare, to spend the +evening with them, and enjoy the treat. + +They were to go to bed at the usual time, have their light out at nine +o'clock, and as soon as they heard Miss Fenler pass down the hall, and +then descend the stairs, they were to open their door softly, close it +behind them, and then, with greatest caution, make their way along the +hall to Vera's room. + +Night came, their lessons were prepared for the morrow, their lights +were out, when they heard Miss Fenler pass their door, then,--why did +she return and pass the door a second time? + +Was it imagination, or did she pause before going on? + +Their hearts beat faster, and Valerie laid her hand over hers, she +afterward said, to hush it so that the dreaded Miss Fenler might not +hear it. + +"Has she gone?" whispered Betty, to which Valerie, who was nearest the +door, replied with a low, "Sh--!" + +Farther up the corridor two others listened. Not a sound was heard in +the hall, and Betty Chase cautiously opened the door a few inches. A +board in the floor creaked, and she shut the door so quickly that she +forgot to be careful, and one might have heard it the length of the +hall. + +"Oo-oo!" whispered Valerie. "You let me manage that door, please, the +next time it's opened." + +"When'll the next time be?" whispered Betty with a chuckle. + +"Now!" whispered Valerie, and stepping out into the hall, they carefully +closed the door, then ran softly along to Vera's door, and tapped upon +the panel with a hat-pin for a knocker. The door opened and they were +only too glad to have it close behind them. Yet a bit longer they +waited before lighting up, and while they waited, they sat upon the bed +and talked in whispers. + +The street lamp threw a band of light across the room. + +Five minutes later, the blankets were taken from the bed and hung over +the door, that no ray of light from the room might be visible in the +hall, through either crack or keyhole. + +A second blanket was pinned to the curtains, that neither coachman nor +maid returning from the town might catch a glimpse of light. + +Then the fun began. + +They had become bolder, and forgetting to whisper, talked in undertones. +Vera, mounted on a cushioned stool, was holding the can over the gas +jet, and watching eagerly for some sign of boiling. + +"The milk is steaming," she announced. "S'pose it's done?" + +"Not yet, goosie!" Elf replied, "and I _know_," she continued, "'cause I +remember hearing our cook say that the stew was ready when the oysters +looked all puckered around their edges." + +"O gracious! If that's true, somebody'll have to come and hold this old +can a while. My arm is about broken!" + +Betty seized the can, and mounted the stool, and Vera, thus relieved, +ran to the closet, returning with the cream-cakes and the fudge. + +The white counterpane stripped from the bed, and spread upon the floor, +served as a lunch-cloth, and when the "goodies" were set upon it, the +big can in the center, steaming, if not boiling, the four sat +cross-legged around the feast, and prepared to enjoy it. + +Salt and pepper in abundance had been thrown into the can, so that while +it lacked sufficient cooking, it surely did not lack seasoning. + +Bravely each tried to eat her share, but so salt was it, that it almost +brought the tears. + +The cream-cakes were fine, and the girls were laughing softly over +Betty's remark that no one knew of their little "party," when a knock +upon the door caused Valerie to drop her cream-cake. In an instant she +had rolled over, crawled under the bed, Betty following, while Vera and +Elf sprang into bed, drawing the coverings to their chins to hide that +they were fully dressed. It was one of Miss Fenler's rules that pupils +should never lock their doors. + +Now in a harsh voice she called: "Open this door _at once_!" + +Vera sprang to the floor, shut off the gas, softly turned the key in the +lock, and was back in bed and covered up to her eyes, in a second. + +Upon opening the door, Miss Fenler stumbled into the blanket that hung +from the door-frame. Crossing the room to light the gas, she put her +right foot directly upon a cream-cake, while with her left she upset the +can of stew. + +An angry exclamation, properly stifled, caused the two under the bed to +nudge each other, while struggling not to laugh. + +Vera and Elf lay quite still, the puff drawn up to their closely shut +eyes. + +Miss Fenler lit the gas, and it was just as well that the culprits dared +not open their eyes, for the face that she turned toward them was not +pleasant to see. + +She was desperately angry. + +"What does this mean?" she cried shrilly. + +Vera and Elf breathed heavily, as if soundly sleeping. + +"You're not asleep!" she declared, "and I insist that you answer me. +Again I ask, what does this mean?" + +Vera and Elf breathed harder than before, Vera adding a soft little +snore. + +"Oh, very well!" cried Miss Fenler. "If you are determined not to reply +to-night, I will report you to Mrs. Marvin, and you may make your +explanations to her to-morrow." + +She left the room, her anger increased by their obstinate pretense of +slumber. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A WONDERFUL TONIC + + +Vera awoke long before daylight, and lay thinking. + +"That's just the way I do things," she said in a voice barely above a +whisper. + +"I plan the fun, and always have a good time, that is '_most_' always, +but it's sure to wind up in a scrape. I plan how to get into mischief. +Why don't I ever plan how to get out?" + +Elf stirred uneasily, and Vera gave her shoulder a vigorous shake. + +"Wake up!" she commanded. "Wake up, and help me plan what we'd better +say when we have to face Mrs. Marvin." + +"Oh, I'm sleepy," drawled Elf. "We're smart enough to say something when +she stares at us over her spectacles. We'll say we--" + +A wee snore finished the sentence, and Vera turned over with a lurch +that shook the bed. + +She thought it very hard that she must lie awake and worry, while Elf +could sleep; in short, she wanted some one to worry with her. + +"It's like the way I climb trees when we're away in the summer," she +muttered. + +"It's fine climbing up, but I'm always afraid to climb down. If Bob is +near, I can always make him get me down, but Bob isn't here to get me +out of this mess, and Elf won't even try to keep awake to help me +think." + +She concluded that it was very unfeeling for Elf to be so sleepy. Her +cheeks were flushed, and her head ached. + +"O dear!" she whispered, softly, "Dorothy Dainty and Nancy Ferris are +full of fun, but they never get into a regular fix such as I'm in now. I +don't see how they manage to have such good times without ever getting +mixed up in something that's hard to explain. And Betty and Valerie will +get off Scot free, for 'The Fender' couldn't see them under the bed, and +of course we'll not tell that they were there." + +She did not know that when Betty and Valerie had reached their own room +they found that in their haste to arrive at the "feast" they had left +the light burning in their room! + +Oh, indeed Miss Fenler had seen that, and she had opened the door. She +had found no one there. She had seen that four had been enjoying the +feast, because at each of the four sides of the spread were fragments of +partly eaten cream-cakes, or bits of fruitcakes. Her sharp eyes had seen +enough to assure her that two other girls were in hiding somewhere in +the room, doubtless the two whose light had been left burning. She +thought it clever to let them think that they had escaped notice. Their +surprise would be greater when she sent them to Mrs. Marvin the next +morning. Daylight found Vera tossing and turning, while Elf was +dreaming. It was not that Vera could not bear reproof. She could listen +for a half-hour to a description of her faults, and look like a cheerful +flaxen-haired sprite all the while. That which now worried her was the +thought that Mrs. Marvin might send her home. + +It was the fifth time during the month that she had been reprimanded, +and even gentle Mrs. Marvin _might_ reach the limit of her patience. + +Her father, she knew, would speak reprovingly, and then laugh at her. +Her mother, always weak-willed, would say: "Vera, dear, I wonder if you +were really naughty, or if it was that they didn't _quite_ understand +you." + +Oh, there was nothing to fear about being sent home, but the fact that +thus she would lose a deal of fun that she could so enjoy with a lot of +lively girls of her own age. + +She resolved to appear as off-hand as usual, unless Mrs. Marvin should +say that she must not remain at Glenmore, when she would throw pride to +the winds, and plead, yes, even beg to continue as a pupil of the +school. She turned and looked at Elf, still soundly sleeping. + +"O dear! I'm the only girl in school who has anything to fret over," she +whispered. + +It happened, however, that at the far end of the building, another girl +was quite as worried as Vera, but it was a very different matter that +had caused her to wake, as Vera had, before daybreak. + +She had entered Glenmore a few weeks after school had opened, and was +rather a quiet girl, as yet acquainted with but few of the pupils. + +Some one circulated the story that she was being educated by an uncle +who was a very rich man. Patricia Levine had added that as he lived in +"N'York," and as her mother also lived there, she, of course, knew him, +and she had told Patricia that old Mr. Mayo was more than rich, that he +was many, many times a millionaire. + +"Ida Mayo is to be an heiress, and have all that money. Just think of +that!" Patricia had said, and immediately began to be very friendly with +her. + +Betty Chase boldly asked Patricia why it followed that because Mrs. +Levine and old Mr. Mayo lived in New York they must, of course, be +acquainted, to which Patricia snapped. + +"I didn't say they _must_ be acquainted. I said 'they _are_'!" + +Ida Mayo seemed not to notice that Patricia sought to be friendly, nor +did she make any effort to become acquainted with any of the other +pupils. + +She seemed content to stand apart and watch the others in their games. +It was Dorothy Dainty who seemed to hold her attention, and once Betty +Chase asked boldly: "I wonder why you watch Dorothy so much." + +"I don't know," Ida had said, then added, "I guess it's because she's +worth looking at?" + +Secretly she envied Dorothy's lovely color, and wished that her own +cheeks were as fresh and fair. That evening in her little room, she +looked in disgust at her reflection in the mirror. A pale face returned +her gaze, and she made a grimace. + +"It's bad enough to be pale without having a few of last summer's +freckles left to make it worse," she cried. + +There were lessons to be prepared for the morrow, but the reflection in +the mirror had so disturbed her that she cast lessons aside and +commenced reading a story in a new magazine. The heroine was described +as having a wonderful complexion, as fair, as pink and white, as perfect +in coloring as a sea-shell. + +"Of course!" said Ida, "and that's the sort I wish I had." + +Her eyes strayed from the story of the beautiful heroine to the +advertising column. + +"Raise mushrooms," read one advertisement, next: "Try our patent +collar-button," then: "Write poems for us." + +"How stupid!" she said. "Who'd want to raise mushrooms, I'd like to +know? Who wants their old collar-buttons? And for mercy's sake, how many +people who read those advertising columns can write poetry?" + +She was about to toss the magazine upon the couch, when two words in +large print caught her attention. + +"Banish freckles--" + +"What's that?" she whispered. + +"Banish freckles and have a perfect complexion," she read. "Send fifty +cents to us, or obtain our tonic at any drug-store. Directions inside +package." + +It must have been the best of good luck that had prompted her to neglect +her lessons, and spend the evening hours with the magazine, she thought. + +She was far too impatient to wait to receive the tonic by mail. + +She had never been to the local drug-store, so the clerks would not know +her, but if any of the Glenmore girls were there, she would buy some +candy, and wait until another day to obtain the tonic. + +She drew a long breath when she saw, upon entering, that she was the +only customer. + +The clerk thought it odd that a little girl should be buying a +complexion-beautifier, but concluded that she, doubtless, was doing the +errand for some older person. + +Night came, and at the hour when Vera and Elf with Betty and Valerie +were tasting their goodies, and listening to every sound that might be +approaching footsteps, Ida Mayo, not a whit less excited, was +breathlessly reading the directions for applying the tonic. + +"Spread the tonic over the face, rubbing it thoroughly into the skin. +Let it remain all night. You will be astonished at the result." + +A dozen times during the night she had been awakened with the scalding, +burning of her face. The directions had said that the skin would +probably burn, but the result in the morning would fully repay the user, +by the extreme loveliness of the radiant complexion! + +Ida bore the burning bravely, but when the first faint light appeared +she sat up in bed, pressing her hands to her smarting cheeks. + +"If the freckles are gone, and my skin is fair, I won't say a word about +this burning," she said. "But how," she continued, "can my face look +even half-way decent, when it is smarting so furiously?" + +At last, she could bear it no longer, and springing out of bed, she ran +to the dresser, and gasped as she looked at her reflection. Even in the +dim light of the dawn of a cloudy day, she saw that her cheeks, her +forehead, her chin, were all very red. + +Were they spotty as well? + +"O dear! If it was only light enough for me to really see!" she +whispered. + +She looked at the tiny clock. At that early hour no one was stirring at +Glenmore. + +No one would see her if she went down to the door, and it would be +lighter there. A gable shaded the window, and made her room less light. + +Thrusting her tangled locks up under the elastic of her muslin cap, and +throwing on a loose sack, she snatched the hand-mirror from her dresser, +and softly yet swiftly went out into the hall and down the stairs. + +She paused in the lower hall, there thinking that she heard some one +coming, she rushed out on the piazza, down the steps, and across the +lawn to an open space where nothing could obscure the light. Already it +was growing lighter, and she lifted the hand-mirror. A look of horror +swept over her little face. + +"Oh, what a fright!" she cried, as she stood staring at the reflection. + +Her face was scarlet, and if the freckles had disappeared, it was +because they had taken the skin with them when they went! + +For a moment she stood as if rooted to the spot, then realizing that +some restless pupil might be up and chance to see her from the window, +she turned and ran at top speed toward the house. The big door stood +open as she had left it, and she raced across the hall and up the +stairway, entering her room just as footsteps echoed along the hall. + +She closed the door and sat down. + +"Why _did_ I see that horrid old advertisement?" she exclaimed. Her +smarting, burning cheeks were enough to bear, but worse than that was +the thought that she would be compelled to appear in the class-room. + +How the girls would stare at her! What would they say among themselves? + +[Illustration: "OH, WHAT A FRIGHT!" SHE CRIED.--_Page 73._] + +Vera believed herself to be the only girl at Glenmore who had even the +slightest reason for worrying. Ida Mayo possessed the same idea. + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Marvin listened to all that Miss Fenler had to say about the feast, +the two who had planned it, and the other two who beyond a doubt had +been invited guests. + +"And _I_ should send them home, and at the same time mail a tart letter +to their parents telling them that their room was better than their +company." + +Mrs. Marvin looked up at the thin, harsh face of her assistant. + +"Mercy is sometimes as valuable in a case like this, as extreme +severity," she said. + +"They have broken a well-known rule here, and must be dealt with +accordingly. They must be made clearly to understand that a repetition +would not be overlooked." + +"I am only an assistant," Miss Fenler said, "but I have my opinions, +and I can't help thinking that you are too gentle with them." + +"They have been mischievous, surely, but had their mischief been such as +would harm, or annoy their classmates, I should have been more severe. + +"You may send them to me. I will see them before the school opens for +the morning session." + +"There is another pupil that I must speak of, and that is the Mayo girl. +It has been her habit to keep apart from the other girls. She seems to +prefer to spend much of her leisure time not only indoors, but in her +room. + +"Lina Danford, the little girl whose room is next hers told me that Ida +Mayo had been crying ever since daybreak. Lina thought that she must be +ill, and she knocked at the door, but while for a moment the crying +ceased, there was no answer, even when the knock was several times +repeated." + +"Have you tried to rouse her?" Mrs. Marvin said, her fine face showing +genuine alarm. + +"I knocked three times, but received no reply, and the door is locked." + +"I will go to her," Mrs. Marvin said. "You may open school for me. Say +nothing to the other girls. I will talk with them at the noon recess." + +Mrs. Marvin hurried up the stairway, and along the upper hall to the +corner room. She paused before tapping. If Ida Mayo had been crying, she +was not crying now. + +She knocked and waited. Knocked again, and again she waited. + +"Ida, you must open your door for me. This is Mrs. Marvin." + +The morning session had opened, and fresh young voices could be plainly +heard. They were singing Ida's favorite, an old song, "All hail, +pleasant morning." + +Mrs. Marvin heard a faint sob. + +"Ida, I am your friend. Let me in, and tell me what troubles you." No +response. + +"Open the door quickly, or I shall call Marcus to force it open." + +Ida opened the door with a jerk. + +"There!" she cried, angrily. "I don't see why I could not stay alone in +my room until I looked fit to be seen!" + +Mrs. Marvin thought the raw, scarlet face denoted some desperate +illness, but chancing to look toward the dresser, she caught sight of +the bottle, uncorked, and with its showy label bearing the legend: + + "TONIC. TWELVE-HOUR BEAUTIFIER." + +Mrs. Marvin sat down upon a low seat, and drew Ida down beside her, and +patiently she listened to the story of the longing for beauty, the +reading of the advertisement. + +"I s'pose I put on too much," Ida concluded. "They said, 'Just a bit on +the tip of the fingers rubbed into the skin each night for two weeks +would work wonders. + +"They said used generously you'd be surprised at the result! I guess I +was. + +"I thought if a little would do so much, a lot of it would do more, so I +put it on thick, and went to bed. + +"O dear! It has been a comfort to tell you, but I can't face those girls +while I look like this!" + +"I shall not ask you to," Mrs. Marvin said. "I will bring you some +cooling ointment to heal your face, and I'll send old Judy up with your +meals. + +"I will tell her to say to any pupils who may question her, 'Miss Mayo +feels so miserable that she'll not come down to her meals for a few +days.' Judy is absolutely trustworthy." + +Judy proved herself quick-witted, for when an inquisitive pupil tried to +peep into the room as she entered with the tray, Judy turned sharply, +remarking: + +"Ah don' s'pose yo wants ter ketch anythin' what's 'tagious, does ya?" + +The pupil backed away from the door, when at a distance she said: "You +don't seem to be much afraid." + +"Ah isn't 'fraid, 'cause I's had dis same ting." + +She had indeed suffered in the same way. True it was not freckles that +annoyed her. It was a longing to rid herself of her black skin that had +tempted her to purchase a bottle of a so-called beautifier, warranted +to produce a new skin. + +That was some years before, but Judy remembered it. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +A SLEIGHING PARTY + + +Dorothy was never inclined toward mischief, and now, when her mother was +away traveling for change of scene, and much-needed rest, she felt very +eager to send each month, a fine report of her progress. Dorothy was +full of life, and loved a good time, if Nancy, her dearest friend might +enjoy it with her. + +When the news was circulated that the great sleigh at the livery stable +had been chartered by Mrs. Marvin, and that sleigh-rides would be in +order as long as the snow lasted, none was more eager for the pleasure +than Dorothy. + +To be sure, she had always enjoyed plenty of sleigh-rides when at home +at the Stone House, but here was a novelty! The big sleigh at Glenmore +would hold twenty girls, while the beautiful Russian sleigh at the Stone +House held four, and the pony sleigh two. Mrs. Marvin, in making out the +list for each party, was careful to place those already acquainted +together. Thus, the list that was headed with Dorothy's name included +Nancy Ferris, of course, then Vera, Elf, Patricia, Arabella, Betty, +Valerie, and twelve others, who were at least slightly acquainted with +those already named. + +They were about evenly divided in another way. Ten were exceedingly +lively, while the other half of the list were pleasant girls of quieter +type. + +Mrs. Marvin well knew that twenty lively girls would be likely to be a +bit too gay for the steady-going inhabitants of the town of Glenmore, +while the school must keep up its reputation for being cheerful, but +surely not noisy nor flighty! + +The day for the first sleigh-ride dawned clear and cold, and Marcus +informed Judy that it was cold enough "ter freeze de bronze statoo down +in de square." + +They were to start at three, and promptly at that hour Marcus drew up at +the door. + +Eager to start, the girls were all waiting in the hall, when Arabella +drawled: + +"Every one wait while I go and get my shawls." + +She darted up the stairs, Patricia calling after her: "Your shawls, +goosie! Why you're wearing two coats and a sweater now." + +"What did Arabella say?" asked Betty Chase. + +"I thought she said she wanted the shawl to put over her _ears_!" + +"She did say that," declared Patricia, "and won't she look fine; +besides, how could she get them on when twenty of us are packed into +that sleigh?" + +"Oh, I'll help her with them," cried Betty Chase, with a laugh. + +"So will I," chimed in Valerie. + +"Here she comes now. Well, as I live, she _has_ brought two shawls," +said Betty. + +"One for each ear," said Valerie. + +Laughing and chattering they ran down the path, and soon were +comfortably seated, very close to be sure, but very warm. + +Arabella said that the two shawls were to wear later if it became +colder, whereat, Betty begged her to sit upon them. + +"You take up room enough for three with a big shawl under each arm," +said Betty. "Stand up and I'll fold them so you can sit on them." + +Arabella meekly did as she was told. If any other girl had done the same +thing, she would have obstinately rebelled, but Betty had a way that was +compelling, and Arabella, after she was seated, wondered why she had +been so meek. + +Patricia Levine had brought a big box of fudge, and she now passed it +around. Arabella said she knew it would make her sick, but she took two +pieces instead of one, lest the box might not come around again. + +The route took them over a long roadway that had been cut through a +forest, and on either side the great trees towered above them, their +branches heaped with snow. The underbrush was beautified with what +looked like patches of swan's-down, and a tiny, ice-bound brook wound +its way in among the giant trees, disappearing behind a clump of +evergreens. + +It had been possible to see all these things because the road had been +so rough that Marcus had been obliged to drive rather slowly. + +Now, as they emerged from the wood-road, he touched the whip to the +flank of one of his horses, and with one accord they sprang forward, +giving the chattering occupants of the sleigh a decided "bounce," and +stopping Elf Carleton in the middle of the story that she was telling. + +"O dear! Where was I when that jolt came?" she asked. + +"I don't know what you were telling," said Vera, "but it's my turn now, +and I'm going to tell how awfully you acted this morning. + +"Girls, Mrs. Marvin was perfectly lovely. She just talked and talked +about how good I _ought_ to be, but I didn't mind that, so long as she +didn't say she was going to send me home. She never said a single word +about that, but I didn't know she was going to be such a perfect dear. I +woke before daylight, and much comfort Elf was to me! I tell you truly, +girls, I poked her, I called to her, I shook her, but couldn't get her +enough awake to say a word. + +"Well, we're about even, for one morning last week when I kept telling +her my tooth was aching, she paid no attention until I gave her an +outrageous poke, and shouted into her ear, 'My tooth aches!' + +"She didn't open her eyes, but what she said was a great comfort." + +"What did she say?" questioned Betty. + +"She said it might stop aching if I kept my mouth closed," said Vera, +"and it took me five minutes to realize that her advice was more for +her benefit than mine. She wanted another nap, and closing my mouth to +shield my aching tooth would also prevent my talking. Trust Elf for +making sure--Oh, look, girls!" + +Every head turned. + +A big red pung was coming toward them at top speed. It was crowded with +more boys than could be seated, and those who stood carried long poles. +From the top of each pole a broad, gayly colored streamer waved. As the +pung passed a big boy in the center shouted: "Three cheers for the +Glenmore girls!" and they were given with a will. + +"How do they know that we are Glenmore girls?" said Elf. + +"Three cheers for the 'What-you-call 'em' boys!" screamed Betty, and +even Arabella added a faint "Hurrah!" to the general clamor. + +Two of the boys produced a pair of cymbals, but while they were clashing +Betty brought forth a huge gong and nearly stunned those near her with +the noise that she made as with all her might she smote it. + +"Hoo_ray_!" shouted a small boy. + +"Hoo_raw_!" howled Valerie Dare, and no one could have decided which +laughed the harder, the pung-load of boys, or the lively girls in the +Glenmore sleigh. + +"Yo'-all behave like tomboys," commented Marcus. "Lor', but Mis' Marvin +would 'a' been some s'prised ef she'd been here ter hear ye carry on." + +"Well, if Miss Fenler had been here she'd have had forty fits," cried +Vera Vane, "but, Marcus, what they don't know won't worry them, and you +needn't tell them." + +"And Marcus, you can forget all about the racket before you get home," +said Elf. + +"Shore, Miss, I's got a powerful short mem'ry. Gid 'ap!" + +"Dorothy Dainty cheered as loud as any of us," said Arabella +Correyville. + +"Well, why shouldn't she?" Patricia asked. + +"Oh, she's always so--oh, I don't know,--correct, I guess is what I +meant to say," responded Arabella. + +"I like fun as well as any one does," said Dorothy who had overheard the +remark. + +"Oh, but Dorothy, you aren't even the least bit rude," declared Valerie. + +"It's not rude to cheer," Dorothy said with a laugh. "I think we were +very polite to return their salute." + +"Nancy Ferris cheered, too," said a girl who had been very quiet during +the hubbub. + +Nancy laughed. + +"I cheered because Dorothy did," she said, "but, Betty, how did you get +that gong in here without any one noticing it?" + +"It was under this long coat," said Betty, "and I'll tell you all how I +happened to bring it. + +"Monday, when I was down in the village, I met a boy that I know, and he +told me that over at the boys' private school in the next town they'd +heard about our sleigh-rides, and he told me that one of the boys, Bob +Chandler, had bought a pair of old cymbals at an antique shop. They were +planning their first sleigh-ride for the same day as ours, and they +thought we'd have no noise-maker with us. I meant to get even with them, +so I brought the big gong that hung in my room, and I guess we made as +much noise as they did. I've a number of curios that my uncle brought +home from abroad. Why didn't I think to bring along that funny little +horn? You could have tooted on that, Valerie." + +"Oh, I'm satisfied. We had noise enough," said Hilda Fenton. + +At that moment there was a commotion on the rear seat. + +Some one was twisting around so persistently that many were made quite +uncomfortable. + +Dorothy turned to see what it was all about. She laughed softly, and +touched Nancy's arm. + +"It's Arabella," whispered Dorothy. + +"Yes, and she's trying to put both shawls on at once," said Nancy. + +"Oh, quick! See what Patricia is doing." + +Completely out of patience with Arabella's wriggling, Patricia was +taking a vigorous hand. + +In a manner anything but gentle she was pulling the heavy shawls up +around Arabella's head and shoulders. + +Betty Chase said that she was "yanking" them, and the word, if not +elegant, was truthfully descriptive. + +"_Don't_ knock my hat off!" whimpered Arabella. + +"I don't care what I do if only I get those old shawls onto you so +you'll sit still!" declared Patricia. + +When Arabella settled herself in her place she took a third more room +than before, and looked like a little old woman rolled up in many +blankets. + +Arabella sat firm and immovable, staring through her spectacles. She did +not turn to the right or the left, and one would say that she did not +know that the girls were laughing at her. + +"Don't you wish you had just one more shawl?" said Patricia. + +"Not if I had to have you put it on," drawled Arabella. "You shoved my +hat on one side of my head, and it's felt queer ever since." + +"How do you know that the hat has felt queer?" Valerie asked, smothering +a laugh. + +"I guess you'd feel queer if Patricia Levine had once taken hold of +you," was the quick response, and Valerie ceased teasing. + +"Dorothy knows a jolly sleighing song," said Nancy. + +"Sing it! Sing it!" + +"Oh, please sing it, Dorothy," clamored eager voices. + +"Sing it with me, Nancy," Dorothy said. "Your alto makes it fine." + +Their voices blended sweetly, and the melody floated out on the crisp +air, so that a tall, dark man left a wood road, and stood listening as +the sleigh sped past. + + "Over the ice and snow we fly, + Oh, but our steeds have wings! + And their hoofs keep time + With the glad bells chime, + For sleigh bells are merry things, + Never a thought or care have we, + Lessons are laid aside, + And we laugh and sing, + Adding mirth and din + To the joy of a winter's ride." + +"Oh, don't stop!" cried an eager voice. "Isn't there another verse?" + +"There are two other verses," said Dorothy "but--I've forgotten them." + +"Then sing the one you do know. It's worth hearing again!" + +Again she sang it, as gayly as before, but for some reason, Nancy's +voice trembled, and Dorothy turned to glance at her. + +She saw that Nancy's cheeks were white, and her eyes wide as if with +fear. A moment before her cheeks had been rosy red where the sharp wind +had kissed them. + +"What is it, Nancy?" Dorothy whispered. + +Nancy shook her head, but the hand that held Dorothy's tightened with a +nervous grip. + +When the girls were once more chattering together, Nancy, leaning toward +Dorothy, whispered softly: "That dark man that stood near the woods +watching us as we passed,--did you see him?" + +"Why, yes," whispered Dorothy, "but--" then she understood Nancy's fear. +"Why, Nancy dear, your old Uncle Steve, who stole you from us once, is +not living. Don't you remember that, and besides, that man didn't look +the least bit like him." + +"That man looked just like Bonfanti!" + +"Oh,--oo," burst softly from Dorothy's lips, then she tried to comfort +Nancy. "But why should he be wandering through the woods here? You've +always said that he was a busy man, and once you heard him say that he +had never been out of New York City." + +"I know I did," Nancy said, "but I s'pose he _could_ go somewhere else, +and oh, Dorothy that man looked just like him!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE LOST NECKLACE + + +Nancy strove to be as gay as before. She told herself that the man +certainly looked just like the old ballet-master, Bonfanti, but that he +might have been a very different person. She did not wish the other +girls to know that she had been uneasy or frightened, and so busy had +they been in watching people whom they passed, laughing and talking, +that Nancy's fright had passed unnoticed by all save one, and that one +was Patricia Levine, Patricia, who seemed to see everything. She +delighted in seeing something not intended for her eyes, and then how +she would run to tell some one all about it! + +Patricia had noticed Nancy's cheeks when they suddenly went white, she +had seen the look of fear in her eyes, and she was wild with curiosity +to know what it meant. + +When they had started out Nancy had thought that the ride could not last +too long, but the sight of the tall, dark man at the edge of the forest +had changed all that, and when Marcus drove in at the gateway of +Glenmore, and drew up at the steps, Nancy was the first to spring out. +Without stopping in the hall to talk over the ride with the others who +had enjoyed it, she bounded up the stairs, and soon was in her room. + +Vera stopped Dorothy to ask if Nancy was ill. + +"No, oh, no!" Dorothy answered, as she followed Nancy up the stairway. + +Vera's question, and Dorothy's hasty reply reached Patricia's ears. + +"I'd like to know what it's all about," she whispered, "and I mean to +find out, no matter how long it takes me." + +It was strange how eagerly interested Patricia always was in anything +that did not concern her. She did not know that a newsmonger is never +respected, nor did she know that no girl whose nature was refined would +care to know other people's business. Nothing so delighted Patricia, as +a bit of news that she could, by hook or crook obtain, and the added joy +of running off to repeat it, especially if she knew it should not be +repeated, was greater than she could have described. + +Dorothy, when she reached their room, found Nancy sitting upon a low +stool, her hands loosely clasped, her eyes downcast as if studying the +pattern of the rug. + +Dorothy closed the door, and then, tossing her wraps upon the couch, +sat down, Turkish fashion, on the rug beside her. + +"Now, Nancy," she said, "you're not to let that man you saw this +afternoon make you so uneasy. It couldn't have been Professor Bonfanti +who taught you to dance, and was so harsh with you. Why should he be out +here, walking through the woods at Glenmore? And even if really it had +been Bonfanti, why would you be so frightened? It was your old uncle who +stole you from us, and made you dance at the theaters to earn money for +him. Bonfanti just taught you because your old Uncle Steve hired him +to." + +"But Dorothy, you don't know how often he said, while he was training +me: 'Oh, if I had you in my hands, I could make you earn twice as much +as Ferris does!' + +"When he said that he would look as eager as if he really _saw_ the +heaps of money that he thought he could make me earn for him. + +"I don't know which would be the worse to work for, Professor Bonfanti +or my old Uncle Steve, but this I _do_ know: I hope no one will ever +take me away from you, Dorothy!" + +"And no one shall!" cried Dorothy, throwing her arms around Nancy, and +holding her fast. + +"I wouldn't have been so frightened if it was just what I saw to-day, +but don't you know that just before we left the Stone House, I had a +dream of being stolen. I'd not thought of it for weeks, but--well, that +man _did_ look like the ballet-master." + + * * * * * + +Patricia Levine had enjoyed the sleigh-ride. She had liked the clear, +bracing air; she had liked being included in the list made out by Mrs. +Marvin for the first ride of the season, but she had been annoyed by +Arabella. + +She stood drumming on the window-pane, and wondering how to begin the +lecture that she intended to give Arabella, that is, if Arabella would +_ever_ get her wraps off, and sit down. She turned from the window. + +"Well, I never saw such a slowpoke!" she cried. + +Arabella blinked. Patricia thought she might as well begin, if she +wished to say all that was in her mind before dinner. + +"I certainly was provoked with you, Arabella, this afternoon. You looked +just umbrageous with all those coats and shawls on," said Patricia. + +"I looked what?" Arabella asked with a dull stare. + +"I _said_ um-bra-geous!" cried Patricia. + +"I don't know what that word means," drawled Arabella. + +"Neither do I," said Patricia, "but I know that's the way you looked." + +"I can't unbutton this top button of my coat," remarked Arabella. + +Patricia jerked the button from the buttonhole, and continued: + +"How do you s'pose I like to have you act so queer, and then have the +girls call you my 'chum'?" + +Arabella instead of replying to the question remarked: + +"And the fringe on this shawl has caught on a hook on my dress so I +can't get it off." + +Patricia's eyes were blazing. She was so angry that she hardly knew what +she was saying. + +"The idea! You had on two coats and a sweater, and as if that wasn't +enough for any one girl to wear you went after two shawls. When you got +all those duds on you looked as big as an _elegant_!" + +"A _what_!" gasped Arabella. + +"I'm too tired to say it over again," said Patricia, who now knew that +she had made a funny error. + +"But," persisted Arabella, "you said I looked as--" + +It was no use to talk to the walls, and Patricia had rushed from the +room, banging the door behind her. + + * * * * * + +There were weeks at Glenmore when everything went smoothly. Then there +would come a week when it certainly seemed as if every one were doing +her best to cause disturbance. + +Usually the fault might easily be traced to the pupils, but there were +times when Miss Fenler seemed as contrary as the most perverse pupil. On +those days no one could please her. + +Dorothy had little difficulty, but Vera, Elf, Betty, and Valerie were +forever vexing her, and Patricia was never able to win her full +approval. As for Arabella Correyville, Miss Fenler did not understand +her, and Betty Chase said that "The Fender" fixed her sharp eyes upon +Arabella, and appeared to be studying her as if she were a very small, +but very peculiar bug that she was unable to classify. + +There was yet another pupil who puzzled her, and, for that matter, +puzzled the other pupils. + +She was an old-fashioned little girl, who was letter-perfect in all her +studies, but never brilliant, more quiet than any other girl at +Glenmore, and so silent that one marveled that a little girl could be so +still. Always neatly, but very plainly dressed, she looked like a little +Puritan, and acted like one, as well. + +And what a name the child possessed! Patience Little, and she lived up +to it. + +"Do you think she'd jump if a fire-cracker went off behind her?" +questioned Valerie, one day. + +"No, indeed, she would not," said Elf, who stood near. "I don't believe +she would so much as turn around to look at it. She's spunkless." + +But they were mistaken. + +Among themselves they spoke of her as "Little Patience." + +Once Betty Chase told her that she knew a girl whose name was +"Patience," who was always called "Patty." + +"My family does not like nicknames," was the reply in a low voice, as +she turned away. + +The day after the sleigh-ride, Lina Danford, one of the youngest pupils, +came rushing down the stairway in great excitement. + +"My amber necklace has been stolen! Girls! Do you hear? My amber beads +are gone! Some one has been in my room and stolen them! Somebody ought +to catch the burglar!" + +Dorothy, standing near, put an arm around her, and tried to comfort her. + +"Don't say it is gone, Lina, dear! It may be just mislaid. If you like, +Nancy and I will go up with you, and help you hunt," but Lina was not +easily to be comforted. + +She insisted that the beads had been stolen, and that, therefore, it was +idle to search. + +Patience Little, for the first time, showed a bit of interest. She was +crossing the hall when Lina raced down the stairs, and she actually +paused to listen to what the little girl had to say. She said nothing, +and after a moment, she went up-stairs. + +She forgot to close her door, and going over to her dresser, opened its +upper drawer. From a velvet case she drew forth a smaller velvet case, +which, when she touched a clasp, sprang open, displaying a handsome +string of amber beads. She held them up so that the light might play +through them. + +"I never wear them," she said softly, "but I've liked looking at them. +Aunt Millicent gave them to me, and maybe I'd like to wear them +sometime, but," she continued, "I'll not be selfish and keep them for +_some time_. I'll give them to Lina, in place of those that she has +lost." + +Hurrying along the upper hall, Lina was surprised to see that the next +door that she would pass, stood open. She was about to pass it, when on +glancing toward it, she saw Patience standing before the glass, turning +this way and that so as to get a better light on the amber necklace that +she wore. + +With a little cry, Lina sprang into the room. Patience turned, and was +about to speak, but before she could say a word, Lina shouted: + +"That's my necklace! I _knew_ somebody had taken it, but _I_ never +dreamed it was a Glenmore girl who did it. I thought it was a burglar. +Give it to me this minute!" + +"This necklace is mine!" returned the accused girl excitedly. + +Her eyes flashed, she quivered with anger. No one would have believed +that the girl who always appeared calm, and rarely spoke, unless spoken +to, could show such fire. One could not guess how the scene would have +ended, but just at that moment a slight sound made both girls turn. + +There in the doorway stood Mrs. Marvin. + +"I am very sorry to see anything so rude, so unkind, and so unjust," she +said. + +"You were hopelessly rude to rush into another girl's room and accuse +her, even if she were at fault. + +"You were unkind, because you spoke as harshly as possible, and you were +unjust, because here in my hand I have your own amber beads that one of +the maids has just found. + +"You must apologize at once, ask Patience if she will forgive you, and +in your own room, try to think of some kind way to make amends." + +Lina was crying now. + +[Illustration: "THIS NECKLACE IS MINE!" RETURNED THE ACCUSED GIRL +EXCITEDLY.--_Page 111._] + +"Oh, I'm so sorry. Why do I never think before I say horrid things? +Forgive me, Patience, if you can. I'll gladly do anything for you." + +Then the surprise came. + +Patience, the silent, shy girl, threw her arms about the younger girl, +and held her close. + +"The necklace that I have on was given to me by Aunt Millicent. I've +never worn it. It is beautiful, but I like quiet colors. The showy +things are prettier for other girls, I think. I heard Lina say that she +had lost hers, and I was just thinking that I would give mine to her, +when she rushed in, and--I hadn't a chance to tell her. That's all," she +said simply. + +"Oh, I was worse even than I thought," cried Lina, "and to think, Mrs. +Marvin, that she was planning to give her necklace to me!" + +"Promise me, Lina, that after this you will be less quick to accuse." + +"Indeed I will, and Patience, if you'll let me, I'd like to be your +friend." + +"I'm sometimes lonely. I need you, Lina," Patience said, gently. + +Lina never did anything by halves. She told her classmates how just at +the time that Patience had been planning to give her own necklace to +make up for Lina's loss, she had been harshly accused. She told how +sweetly forgiving Patience had been, and wound up by stating that +hereafter they were to be chums. + +Mrs. Marvin, on the way to her own apartment, vaguely wondered what the +next happening would be. + +"I wonder if the entire week is to be a series of disturbances," she +thought. "To be sure, there are but two days more, Friday and Saturday, +but I should not be surprised if some one started something, so as to +make the week complete." + +It certainly had been a record week for petty annoyances, and to cap the +climax on Friday, after lunch, Miss Fenler waited in the hall, near the +door that led from the dining-room. She felt that she must speak to +Patricia. + +As a rule pupils were, of course, permitted to dress as they chose, but +it seemed as if Patricia was actually trying to see how strange a rig +she could wear and yet go unreproved. + +On this day, she had done the oddest thing of all. She had tied her hair +on the crown of her head with a yellow ribbon. The ribbon was very wide, +and the bow was enormous. As if that were not enough she had taken +equally wide ribbon, of pink, and of blue, had tied a large bow of each +and then had pinned the pink bow to the right loop of the yellow bow, +the blue bow to the left loop, and when she entered the dining-room the +effect was, to say the least, _amazing_! + +The bows were about eight inches wide. Really, Patricia was a droll +sight! + +Unless she were spoken to she would wear her freakish ribbons at the +afternoon session. + +When lunch was over, and the pupils came trooping out into the hall, +Miss Fenler spoke to Patricia. When they at last stood alone in one +corner of the hall, Miss Fenler mentioned the gaudy colors, and said +that while the girls were permitted to wear as bright ribbons as they +chose, they would certainly not be allowed to wear three huge bows at a +time. + +"The idea!" said Patricia. "Well, I guess I'll not agree to wear little +stingy-looking bows for any one." + +"You would obstruct the view of the large blackboard," said Miss Fenler. +"No one could see around your head." + +"I shall wear these bows I have on or none at all!" said Patricia. + +"Don't be obstinate," said Miss Fenler. "Mrs. Marvin told me to speak to +you." + +"Did _she_ say I couldn't wear these big bows?" Patricia asked, her eyes +black with anger. + +"She certainly did," declared Miss Fenler. + +"Well, you can tell her I wear these or none at all," Patricia said, +stoutly. + +"None at all!" repeated Miss Fenler. + +"Don't attempt to come into the class-room with your long hair untidy. +Without a ribbon it would look slovenly." + +Patricia's smile was broad, and her eyes actually impish as she left the +hall. + +"She's equal to pinning on a half-dozen extra bows if she chooses," Miss +Fenler said, under her breath. + +Glenmore, once a private estate, looked like an old castle, and the +dwellings that were its nearest neighbors were owned by old and wealthy +residents. No stores had ever broken the charm of the locality, and the +sleepy old town had supposed that they never would, yet around the +corner of a little back street, an enterprising Italian had purchased a +wee cottage. After three days a sign appeared in his front window. It +stunned the residents. It read: + + ANTONIO CARANA, + BARBER AND HAIRDRESSER. + +Already small boys and girls might be seen, in charge of maids, +trotting up his steps with long curls, and after a few minutes, +appearing with a "Dutch cut." + +Patricia, buttoning her coat as she ran, appeared at his door +breathless, but eager. + +"I want my hair bobbed, and I must have it done right off, or I'll be +late to school," she cried, rushing past the astonished Tony, and +mounting his big chair. + +"_Dutch cut!_" she demanded, thinking that he had not understood her. + +"Cutta da long hair?" he asked, lifting the strands. + +"Sure," cried Patricia, "What else would I want cut off? Certainly not +my _nose_." + +"Alla right," said Tony, but he thought it strange, and wondered if the +little girl's mother would appear at any moment, angry, and vengeful. + +Patricia's temper had been gradually cooling, and now, as she saw the +long locks that Tony had clipped, she was desperately sorry that she had +come. It was half done, however, so she could not "back out." One does +not care to appear with the right side of one's head with short hair, +and the left side with hair half-way toward one's girdle! + +Patricia sighed, and allowed him to continue. What else could she do? +She had been proud of her hair, but when she saw herself in the mirror, +her vanity came to her aid. + +She had given up her fine head of hair, but look! Here was another +chance to make a sensation. Not a girl at school had her hair "bobbed." + +"Probably they'll tell me that only very little girls have their hair +like this, but I don't care. They'll be surprised, and it's the only +way I can go without ribbons, and I said I'd wear big bows or nothing." + +Of course the pupils stared when Patricia appeared in the class-room, +and that delighted her. + +"I guess my Dutch cut made more show than my ribbons would have," she +whispered. + +Making a show was about all that Patricia cared for, the only other +thing that she appeared to think worth while was meddling in other +people's affairs. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +WHEN NANCY DANCED + + +Mrs. Marvin decided to make the weekly socials very different from what +they had been. + +It had been her custom to hire musicians from the city to give a little +recital, and then serve light refreshments, and allow the latter part of +the evening to be spent in indoor games, or dancing. + +The social part of the evening was always enjoyed, but many of the +musicians, both vocal and instrumental, had given selections of so +strictly classical character that some of the pupils complained that +they did not care for it. + +She determined to ask three pupils to arrange a program for each +evening, each of the three being expected to take part in the +entertainment. + +One Monday morning she unfolded her plan, and announced that on Friday +of that week would occur the first social having a pupils' program. + +"I have asked Dorothy Dainty to take charge of the little recital, and I +believe we shall enjoy it." + +When the eager applause had subsided, Mrs. Marvin continued: + +"The girl in charge of the entertainment must not be annoyed with +questions as to the program because I wish the entertainment each week +to be a surprise. + +"Dorothy, herself must contribute one or two numbers, and I have +appointed Nancy Ferris, and Patricia Levine to help her." + +The pupils were wild with curiosity as to what the numbers were to be, +but while a few hinted that they were eager to know just what they were +to hear and see, they did not ask Dorothy to tell them. They thought it +would be more fun to be surprised. + +Dorothy found herself in an awkward place. + +She had decided to sing a pretty waltz song, for which Nancy played the +accompaniment. Nancy had at first thought of playing a piano duet with +Dorothy, but Dorothy pointed out that a number of the girls, when it +came their turn to entertain, would surely play, and she urged Nancy to +do a fine solo dance. + +"It will be more of a treat," she urged, and Nancy agreed. + +Patricia declared that she had studied with a fine vocal instructor +since they had heard her, and she also stated that she would sing a +solo, or nothing. + +Patricia, when at Merrivale private school with Dorothy and Nancy, had +done some very funny singing, and Dorothy felt a bit nervous as to what +she would do now, but Patricia insisted that she had rapidly improved, +and there seemed to be no choice but to let her sing. + +"Do make her tell you what she's going to sing," Nancy said, one +morning, "because if she has chosen something you wouldn't like to have +her sing, you _might_ be able to coax her to change it." + +Dorothy promised to question Patricia, but she laughed at the idea of +being able to make Patricia change her mind after she had decided what +she should do. + +"What am I to sing?" said Patricia, when at recess Dorothy questioned +her. "I'm going to sing something from grand opera. It's called: + + 'I dreampt that I dwelt in marble halls,' + +and my teacher coached me on it, and he said I sang it just as it should +be sung." + +"If her teacher said that she sang it well, perhaps it will be all +right," Dorothy said, but even as she said it she wondered just what +Patricia would do. Patricia _might_ do anything. + +Dorothy took the time to practice when all of the pupils were out of +doors at recess. She did not wish them to hear her song until she should +sing it for them at the social. + +Nancy practiced her solo at early morning. Mrs. Marvin had given her +permission to practice in their reception hall when she learned at what +an early hour Nancy was willing to rise in order to do it. + +Patricia declared it entirely needless for her to practice, thus making +Dorothy still more uneasy as to her performance. + +At last the evening arrived. + +Dorothy had told herself that if, after all, Patricia did anything as +"queer" as she had been known to do, worrying beforehand would not mend +matters. She knew if she became nervous regarding Patricia, she could +not do her own solo well. Patricia had asked that her number might be +the last on the program, and Dorothy had agreed. + +As Patricia usually wished to be first in anything, and was offended if +not given precedence, it certainly looked as if she were planning to +have her solo the crowning event of the evening. + +Soon after seven a buzz of voices told Dorothy that the pupils had +assembled early, and she would have joined them, but Mrs. Marvin had +said that each of the soloists must be announced, and must come onto +the stage, and greet her audience as if she were a professional. + +All had been carefully arranged, and Vera Vane was to announce each +performer. + +Dorothy had chosen a light-blue dress, her pumps and hose of the same +shade. The dress was charming, because of its lovely coloring, and its +graceful lines. + +Very clearly Vera announced: + +"The first number to-night will be a waltz song by Dorothy Dainty." + +Dorothy's voice had been carefully trained, and very sweetly she sang, +one especial charm being that every word could be clearly heard, which +is more than can be said of many singers who have studied for years. + +She had chosen "Asphodel's Song." + +How sweet was the voice, how happy her smile as she sang: + + "Oh, how lovely are my flowers + In the morning wet with dew, + Ah, they courtesy to the morning + Off'ring gifts of fragrance new. + Then the sound of bird wings whirring + Wake again the drowsy trees, + And the tiny brooks are stirring, + Running onward to the sea. + Oh, how lovely are my flowers + When the twilight shadows creep, + Hosts of fairy folks come trooping, + Where my flowers lie asleep." + +Surely no singer was ever more graciously received. + +There were to be no encores because of limited time. + +Lights were usually out at nine-thirty, but the socials were from eight +to ten. The concert must be brief to allow sufficient time afterward for +games. + +"The next number will be a dance by Nancy Ferris." + +Nancy had stood in the upper hall, ready, when she heard her name called +to enter. Here and there a tiny spangle caught the light, and the soft +pink of her dress was repeated in her cheeks. She was happy. She was +going to give pleasure. + +As she heard her name called, she bounded down the stairway, across the +hall, and up on the stage, looking far smaller than in her usual school +dress. The pupils were spellbound. + +Nancy had said nothing of her dancing nor had she spoken of having been +a tiny performer at the theaters. + +Now as they saw her whirling on the tips of her toes, dipping, swaying, +doing steps of wondrous grace, they marveled at the skill with which she +did it. At home, at the Stone House, Dorothy had often played for her, +but to-night she seemed to out-do herself. + +Nancy swung forward, then with cunning steps retreated, crossed her feet +and did the pretty rocking-step, whirled again, and yet again, did the +pirouette to left, then to right, made a very low courtesy, and ran off +the stage, followed by tremendous clapping. + +How they wished that she might have repeated the lovely dance! + +Mrs. Marvin closely watched the nimble feet and determined to know +something more about the charming little dancer. And now--Dorothy +wondered _just what_ the next number would be. She took a long breath +when, as Vera announced her, Patricia entered simply attired, wearing a +pretty white dress, with a pale yellow sash, no other color. + +It was remarkable to see Patricia without at least six colors. + +"Perhaps she'll sing well," Dorothy said to herself, "for the lovely +song that she chose for her number _couldn't_ be twisted into anything +funny." + +Was that really so, or was Dorothy trying to think so? Was there +anything that Patricia could not "twist" if she chose? + +The charming old song is very sweet when properly sung, and the words +fit the melody. + + "I dreampt that I dwelt in marble halls, + With vassals and serfs at my side, + And of all who assembled within those walls, + That I was the joy and the pride. + I had riches too great to count, could boast + Of a high ancestral name, + But I also dreampt, and that charmed me most, + That you loved me just the same." + +So runs the first verse, but Patricia had never seen the music. She had +heard the song a number of times, and felt competent to sing it. + +Dorothy had asked her to practice it, then had offered to loan her the +music, but Patricia declared that she needed neither practice, nor the +use of the music. + +"Are you sure you know the words?" Nancy had asked. + +"Of course!" Patricia had said sharply. + +Nancy played the prelude, and Patricia sang. Sang with all her might, +one might say, but oh, the words as she sang them! + +She had caught them as they sounded, giving never a thought as to +whether they made sense. + + "I dre-eampt that I dwe-e-lt in mar-ar-ble halls + With _vessels_ and _safes_ at my side. + And of all who had stumbled within those walls + That I was the _joke_, and the _bride_, + I had _witches_ to _mate_ and count, could boast + Of a high and central name + But I also dreampt, and that jarred me most, + That Jew loved me just the same." + +Was it strange that roars of laughter greeted the song? Even Mrs. +Marvin, a model of all that was well-bred, covered her eyes for a moment +with her handkerchief, but when she removed it, the eyes were twinkling +and it was evident that only her self-control kept her from laughing +aloud. + +Dorothy's first thought was for Patricia. She knew it must be dreadful +to be laughed at, and she was hoping that Patricia might not be too +badly hurt. She would draw her into the games later in the evening, and +thus cheer her. + +It happened that Patricia needed no cheering. She was disgusted, but not +hurt. She believed herself to be a very fine singer, and thought that +the only reason for laughter was that her audience was dull, so dull +indeed that her romantic selection had been mistaken for a comic song. + +"The idea of thinking that song funny enough to laugh at! Why it is not +a comic song at all. There's nothing funny about it!" she declared. "It +really doesn't pay to sing for folks here. They can't understand what +you are doing! The next time I sing, I'll sing for my friends in +N'York." + +Dorothy was puzzled for a second, then, as she saw that Patricia really +meant what she said, she was thankful that the laughter had not been +understood by the silly little singer. + +Patricia had actually thought that they were foolishly amused by the +song. + +It had been quite another thing that annoyed Patricia, and that was the +evident pleasure that Nancy's dancing had given, and on the day after +the social, she was vexed to have to hear the other girls talking about +it. + +"I'd think you never saw any one dance before," she said, when Betty +Chase said that Nancy's dancing was "simply lovely." + +"Well, I never did see a girl dance like that," said Betty. + +"Well, she _ought_ to dance. She's had enough training, besides she used +to dance on the stage. Who couldn't dance if they had a chance like +that?" + +"A whole lot of people couldn't," said Betty, sharply. "_I_ couldn't for +one, and I guess there are a few others." + +"Do you mean me?" Patricia asked, sharply, her eyes flashing. + +"I mean any one silly enough to say that Nancy's dancing was anything +but wonderful," Betty said, and she turned to Valerie, leaving Patricia +to talk to herself, or to no one, if she chose. + +Patricia had hoped to lessen interest in Nancy, but what she had said +had had an opposite effect. + +It had increased their already lively interest to such an extent that +many who had not yet met her were wild to know her, and those who +already were her friends were eager to question her as to her career. +They longed to hear all about her training, her first appearance at the +theater, and countless questions they wanted to ask her. Patricia had +made Nancy more popular than before. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A BIT OF SPITE + + +For several days Patricia was so busy thinking, that Arabella felt +rather lonely. Arabella had been writing a letter to her Aunt Matilda, +and endeavoring to answer all the questions that that peculiar woman had +asked. It had occupied her spare time for two days, and was not yet +ready to mail. + +"O dear!" sighed Arabella, "I don't like to write letters." + +"Don't write them," Patricia advised. + +"Why, Patricia Levine! You know if I didn't answer Aunt Matilda's letter +she'd pack her suit-case, and come right here!" + +"Good gracious! Hurry up and finish it," cried Patricia. "I wouldn't +want her coming here." + +"I've got a cold, so I couldn't go out to mail it," drawled Arabella. + +"Don't let that stop you," cried Patricia, "for I'll gladly go out to +mail it for you, if it'll keep your Aunt Matilda away." + +Later, when Patricia went down the hall on the way to post the letter, +she saw that Dorothy's door was slightly ajar. Of course Patricia's +sharp eyes saw it, and, because she never could resist the temptation to +listen, where she might hear something not intended for her ears, she +paused. + +Nancy was speaking of the man that she had seen standing at the edge of +the forest, on the day of the sleigh-ride. Again she told Dorothy how it +had frightened her, adding: + +"He looked just like Bonfanti, the ballet-teacher, and I believe if I +should look from our window and see him out there, looking toward this +house, I'd not dare to go out for days." + +Dorothy tried to comfort her, by saying: + +"But, Nancy dear, we've _not_ seen him since that day, and he's miles +away from here by this time, as likely as not." + +Patricia needed to hear no more. She could not make Nancy less popular, +but here was a fine chance for annoying her. + +It was strange what pleasure it afforded Patricia to make others +unhappy! She never seemed to know that in striving to annoy others, she +was constantly proving that she herself was disagreeable. + +She hastened out to the nearest mail box with the letter, and then +returning to her room, sat down to think. + +"I wish you'd talk," said Arabella. "It's awful dull this cloudy +afternoon." + +Patricia was in no mood for talking, and Arabella dared not insist. + +It was after dinner when the pupils met in the cheery reception-hall for +a little chat before going to their rooms, that Patricia saw her chance, +and took it. + +Some one asked Nancy if she and Dorothy had been out for their usual +walk. + +"It seemed a bit raw," she replied, "so we remained in." + +Patricia, who had been moving nearer, now stood at Nancy's elbow. + +"Did you notice a big, dark man, this morning looking up toward your +window?" she asked: "Do you know who he is? We saw him the day of the +sleigh-ride, and that was weeks ago. I believe he is always right +around here, for I don't know how many times I have seen him. He always +simply _stares_ toward your windows. I thought perhaps you knew him." + +Nancy turned pale, and Mrs. Marvin, who was near them, saw Dorothy draw +Nancy closer as if to protect her. + +"Is Nancy ill?" she asked kindly. + +Patricia had left the hall when she saw Mrs. Marvin speaking to Dorothy. + +Dorothy explained how frightened Nancy had been ever since the +sleigh-ride, a few weeks before. + +"Come into my apartment and tell me all about this. I am greatly +interested," she said. + +They were only too glad to escape the curious eyes that now were +watching them, and together they told Mrs. Marvin the story of Nancy's +career. When they reached the point where Patricia had told them of the +man who had stood looking up at their windows that afternoon, a look of +relief passed over her face, and she actually laughed. + +"You two dear little friends may rest easy to-night," she said, "for the +man whom you saw at the edge of the woods, and the man who was here +to-day, looking up at your windows, as Patricia said, are one and the +same person. He is a man who has made a study of all plant life, and +especially wise is he in regard to vines and trees. + +"To-day he was trying to decide just what sort of vine would thrive best +on this sunny side of the house. His name is not nearly so picturesque +as Bonfanti. It is Jonathan Scroggs. Not a fine name, surely, but his +name has never hindered him in his profession. He is one of the best +florists in the country, he knows all about beautiful vines and trees, +and he is also a landscape gardener. He can take a plain little cottage, +with a small piece of land, and plant just the right kind of trees on +the place, train vines over the porch so as to render it charming, and +make the bit of land into a tiny park, so dainty, so altogether lovely +that people will come from far and near to see the 'beauty spot.' Now do +you care in the least what his name is?" + +"Indeed I do not," Dorothy said, firmly. + +"And oh, how glad I am that he is not Professor Bonfanti!" Nancy said. +"It was silly to be so frightened, but if only you knew how hard those +months were when he was training me, and old Uncle Steve was threatening +all sorts of things if I did not dance well! You see, I was really ill +with fear, and homesickness, and Uncle Steve did not seem to see that +the more he threatened, the more ill I became. Oh, if I should talk all +day, I could not tell you half the misery of those days. Only yesterday +one of the girls said that she would not have minded any of the harsh +things if only she could have danced on the stage. That is what she +thinks, but she doesn't know!" + +"Well, Nancy, to-day you are nervous and tired, but I have quieted all +your fears, and assured you that you are safe here at Glenmore. Some day +when we can arrange it, I would enjoy hearing more of your little +career." + +"And I'd be willing to tell you, Mrs. Marvin; you've been so kind, and +you've comforted me. I shall sleep to-night without any horrid dreams." + +Mrs. Marvin felt that Patricia had really intended to frighten Nancy, +and she decided to have a quiet little talk with her, and if possible, +learn what had prompted her to do so unkind a thing. + + * * * * * + +It was an odd combination that "Glenmore," one of the best of schools +for girls in the country, modern in every respect, and absolutely +"up-to-date," should be situated in a town that was quaint, and +picturesque, with inhabitants as fanciful, and superstitious as one +would find if he had traveled back a century. + +True, there were residents who had recently come to the place for a +summer home, but the old people of the place clung to their old time +superstitions, their firm belief in "signs," their legends handed down +from one generation to another, and the newcomers humored them, listened +to their "yarns," and asked to hear more. Many of these stories were +quite as interesting as any folk tales, and none could tell them with +finer effect than old Cornelia Derby. + +It was Marcus who had pointed her out to several of the girls who, one +morning, chanced to be standing near the gate as the old woman came up +the street. + +"Oh, Marcus, do you really mean that she can tell all sorts of quaint +stories about this old town?" cried Betty Chase. + +"I sure does," said Marcus, "and 'nuffin' pleases her like gittin' a +chance ter tell 'em ter folks as is willin' ter listen." + +"Now, Valerie," said Betty, turning to her chum, "let's get her to tell +us some of the stories she knows about the fine old houses, and the +people that once lived in them." + +"Fine!" cried Valerie, "but where would we find her?" + +"She lives in a little old hut, 'round behin' the hill over there!" said +Marcus, "an' all yo' has ter do is ter go up dis street, an' yo'll sure +spot it, long 'fore yo' reach it, 'cause the top half er dat hut is red, +an' the bottom half is whitewash. It sure looks mighty quare!" + +"Let's take a walk over there to-morrow, when our lessons are prepared," +said Valerie, "but," she added, "I hope we find it." + +"Yo' couldn't miss it," said Marcus, "for all yo' has ter do is ter go +up dis street, an' turn ter yo' left, den go a piece, an' turn ter yo' +right, an' walk 'til yo' come ter a big yaller house, an' dat's 'bout +half-way. Nex' yo' cross a field, skip over de place where de brook is +in summer an' come ter a piece er wall, stone wall, 'tis, an' it don't +seem ter b'long ter no place 'tall, an' de hut is jes' a little ways +beyond." + +The sound of a bell sent them hurrying toward the house. + +"Do you expect to remember all that?" Valerie asked on the way to the +class-room. + +"If you do you'll be a wonder. I've forgotten it now." + +Betty nodded confidently. + +"We'll go over there to-morrow," she said. + +The next afternoon, Betty helped Valerie with some puzzling problems +that must be solved before starting out. + +Then with confidence on Betty's part, and much doubt in Valerie's mind +as to their ability to find the hut, they set off on the long walk. +After twice enquiring of people whom they met, of taking a long walk in +the wrong direction, and retracing their steps, they finally espied the +piece of stone wall that seemed to belong to "no place at all," as +Marcus had said. + +Glad to rest, they paused there to look about them, and to wait for +Vera and Elf, who had promised to meet them. Neither was in sight, +although they had said that they would be prompt. Snow and ice had fled, +and now everywhere were signs of spring. Vera had declared that the long +walk was what she needed, and Elf had said that she would endure the +walk for the sake of hearing the quaint stories of the town and its +people that old Cornelia would tell. + +At the end of the wall Betty and Valerie waited. + +"I'd not wait much longer," Valerie said. + +"I surely will _not_!" Betty replied, "for if they are coming, they'll +be here in a few minutes." + +It was evident that the two girls had, for some reason, been detained, +and Betty determined to wait no longer. + +[Illustration: AT THE END OF THE WALL BETTY AND VALERIE WAITED.--_Page +150._] + +"Come!" she cried. "We'll go on now to the little hut, and if Vera +and Elf come poking along a half-hour later, they can just sit on this +wall, and see if they enjoy waiting as well as we did." + +It was but a short distance, and they ran part of the way to make up for +lost time, but when they reached the gate they found, as Valerie glanced +at her tiny watch, that it was later than they thought, and was already +about time for them to turn toward Glenmore, if they did not wish to be +late. + +Hours were strictly kept at the school, and all pupils must return from +recreation in time to give themselves personal care, and be in the lower +hall at five-thirty for a friendly chat before going to the dining-room +at six. + +Mrs. Marvin insisted that every pupil look her best at all times. + +It was now four o'clock. It would take a half-hour to reach Glenmore. +That meant that not more than a half-hour could be spent at the hut. + +There was no answer to their repeated knocking, but as they turned to go +they saw old Cornelia coming toward them along the road, a big basket on +her arm. + +"Well, well, two fine little callers I find waiting for me," she said. +"And what can I do for you?" + +"We wanted you to tell us all about some of the old buildings and the +interesting stories about the people who lived in them," said Betty, +"but it's so late now that I don't believe there's time. We have to be +back at Glenmore at five." + +"Then sit right down here on my garden-seat and I'll tell you the +shortest tale I know, and some other day if you come when you have more +time I'll tell you more." + +"Oh, that will be fine!" they cried, as with one voice. + +"How would you like to hear about the wishing-well?" + +"That sounds _great_!" declared Betty and then: "Could you begin it with +'Once upon a time?'" + +"Surely," was the quick response, "and now I think of it, I'm sure you +must have passed the old wishing-well on your way here. The old well was +supposed to have magic power, and long ago when the old Paxton House was +standing, people came, for miles around, to be near the old well in the +garden, and wish for their heart's desire, feeling sure that their wish +would be granted. + +"Of course the idea was absurd, but the townspeople of those days were +superstitious, so that if those things that they wished for beside the +well never came to them, they thought that they must have forgotten to +ask for them in the right way, and later they would try again. + +"If they obtained the thing that they had wished for, they laid their +good fortune entirely to the fact that the old well must have approved +of them." + +"And where is it!" Valerie asked. "You said that we must have passed +it." + +"The old well has a flat wooden cover over it now, with an iron bar to +keep it in place, lest some one be careless and fall in, though now the +wild blackberry vines have nearly hidden it from sight. Even now when +only young leaves are on the brambles, the thorny stems make a network +over the cover. The old Paxton House was gone before my time," Mrs. +Derby said, "but a part of its fine wall remains. It was upon that wall +that the wishers sat. + +"Did you happen to notice a fine piece of wall that seemed to belong to +no one at all, and ended in a broad field?" + +"The idea!" cried Betty. "Why we _sat_ on that piece of wall, and could +have 'wished' just as well as not, if only we'd known it." + +"And it's almost half-past four now," said Valerie. "S'pose we run along +toward Glenmore, and stop just long enough to sit on the wall and wish. +We can be on time at five, if we do that. Then we could come over some +day when we've more time, and hear all about the well, and other +stories, too." + +It was a good idea, because it was already so late that they could +remain but a few moments longer, so with an urgent invitation to come +again, and a promise to do so, they ran back to the old wall, looking +back to wave their hands to the little woman who waved in return. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE WISHING-WELL + + +"Isn't it funny to think that we stopped at the very place to wish, and +never knew it?" said Valerie, as they ran along the foot path that would +take them back, the shortest way to the wall, and the wishing-well. + +"Not so 'funny' as that we'd take so much time and trouble to wish when +we get there," said Betty. + +"Why is it odd?" Valerie asked, stopping squarely in front of Betty, and +looking at her with round eyes. + +"Oh, because we're acting exactly as if we believed in the old well," +Betty said, looking a bit annoyed, yet keeping straight on toward the +wall. + +"Well, of course we're not so silly as to _really_ and _truly_ believe +it could grant our wishes, but it's no harm to try," responded Valerie. + +Betty laughed. + + "Oh, we don't believe it all, + Yet we _must_ believe a little + We _b'lieve_ the water boils + When the steam comes from the _kittle_. + + "It's dark inside the drum, + Yet we hear the drumming well, + But that we wished beside the wall + We'll never, never tell." + +"Where did you hear those verses?" Valerie asked. + +"That's a funny song my brother sings. I made the second verse to fit +to-day." + +"Why, Betty Chase! Who'd think you could make poetry?" cried Valerie, +looking Betty over, as if it were the first time she had ever seen her. + +Betty laughed gayly. + +"I guess Mrs. Marvin would tell you it wasn't poetry. Don't you remember +she told us the other day that many people could write verses, but that +verses were not always _poetry_?" + +"Well, all the same, I like the funny verses," Valerie said, "and here +we are at the wall again." + +"And here's luck to us, and our wishing!" cried Betty. + +She sprang up on the wall beside Valerie, and for a moment the two sat +thinking. + +It was Valerie who first spoke. + +"I've been trying to think what to wish for," she said, "and now all at +once I know. Mother told me to work hard this year, so as to stand high +in my class, and Aunt Phyllis said if I could finish in June with +ninety per cent. average she'd give me a beautiful ring. Yes, that's +what I'll wish for by the old well, and after I've wished it, I'll work +harder than ever so that my wish will come true. Well, why do you +laugh?" she asked, looking not only amazed, but rather vexed at Betty, +who could not stop laughing even when she saw that Valerie was far from +thinking it a joke. + +"Well, what have I said that is so awfully funny?" she asked sharply. + +"Don't be provoked, Valerie," Betty said, but her shoulders shook +although she tried to check her laughter. + +"I was only thinking," she continued, "how generous you were to help the +old well out so nicely. Just as soon as you've wished, you'll start +right out to work hard enough to just _make_ the wish come true, well +or no well, and I do believe, if your aunt gives you the ring, you'll +forget how hard you worked, and you'll be saying: 'I do more than half +believe in the wishing-well!'" + +Valerie was never long angry, and she laughed as she answered: + +"Well, Miss Wise-one, are you going to wish, and then sit back and wait +to see if it 'comes true'?" + +"I'll wish just for fun, but I don't believe what she said about the old +well any more than you do, Valerie Dare. We'd be silly to even think +that an old well had any power to grant wishes," Betty said, but Valerie +laughed again. + +"Then why did we bother to sit on this wall and wish?" she said. + +"We might just as well wish while we're waiting along the road." + +"Come on!" cried Betty. "You wished on the wall beside the well, and +I'll wish as we walk along, and we'll see which gets what she wished +for." + +"All right," agreed Valerie, "but I _do_ hope you'll get yours, Betty." + +"I'm as likely to, as if I'd kept sitting by the well," Betty said, "for +I wish for what just _couldn't_ happen." + +"Why Betty Chase! Why don't you wish for something that you've a +_chance_ of getting," said Valerie, stopping squarely in front of Betty. + +"Because I have everything I want but one thing," was the quiet reply. + +"And that one thing is--what?" queried Valerie. + +"I love Dorothy Dainty, and I don't want to say 'good-by' to her when +school closes. I'd like to be where she is this summer, but that +_couldn't_ be. You see our summer home is lovely, and we go there every +year. Father and mother like the country better than the shore, but I +like the beach, and the water best. Dorothy and Nancy will go home to +Merrivale, but whether they spend the summer there, or go away to some +other place, it won't make much difference to me. It's not likely to +happen that they'll come to the quiet little town where we are to spend +the summer." + +Betty's merry face now wore such a sober expression that Valerie said: + +"Well, I still say I wish you'd wanted something that really could +happen." + +At that moment some one appeared just around a bend of the road, some +one wearing the gayest of colors, and with her a little old-fashioned +figure in a dark brown dress. + +"Look! Patricia and Arabella are coming this way, and they look as if +they were planning something great. Just see how close together their +heads are! I don't know Arabella very well, but when Patricia is 'up to' +anything, it's pretty sure to be mischief." + +"Oh, I don't know," Valerie. "It's just as likely to be some way she's +planning for a chance to show off." + +Betty laughed. + +"Did you hear Vera Vane telling about the afternoon that Patricia +knocked at her door, and said that she had come to 'make a call'?" + +"I didn't hear that," said Valerie. "What did she do?" + +"She was wearing all the rings and bangles that she owned, and in her +hand was a card-case, just as if she were grown up. She sat on the tip +edge of her chair, and she kept taking out her handkerchief, and +shaking it because it was drenched with perfumery, and when she went, +she emptied the card-case on the table, and Vera counted the cards. Say, +Patricia had left _fifty_. Wasn't that funny?" + +"Hush--sh!" breathed Valerie, "she might hear you." + +Patricia rushed forward, while Arabella, as usual, hung back, preferring +to stare at Betty and Valerie through her spectacles, rather than have a +little chat. + +She wanted to watch their faces, and see if they were greatly surprised +with the news that Patricia had to tell. + +"Guess where we're going!" Patricia cried, "but you couldn't guess, so +I'll tell you. We're going over to the well, the one that's called the +wishing-well," she explained, "and we mustn't tell what we mean to wish +for, 'cause if you tell, you wouldn't get your wish. Did you know that?" + +Betty said that she had not heard that. + +"I'll tell you to-morrow just how to find it, but we can't stop now. +There isn't time." + +"Late!" cried Valerie. "I guess you two are late. We think we have to +hurry to get to Glenmore on time, and you are going away from school +every minute. Why don't you go to the well, if you want to, to-morrow." + +Arabella thought that they ought to turn back, but Patricia seized her +hand, and the two commenced to run. + +"They'll be a half-hour late," said Valerie, looking after the flying +figures. + +"And 'The Fender' will be waiting for a chance to scold them when they +come in," said Betty. + +As they pushed the gate open, they saw a little figure disappearing +around the corner of the house. + +"That was Ida Mayo," said Valerie. + +"I didn't see her face. Are you sure it was Ida?" Betty asked. + +"Oh, it was Ida," Valerie answered, "and I do wonder why she stays in +her room all the time. If she happens to come down when the girls are +out, she runs, the moment she sees any of us coming." + +"It's a long time ago that she was sick," Betty replied, "but she must +be all right by this time. I wonder why she ran when she saw us? We +don't know her well enough to stop her to talk. She's bigger than we +are, and she's three classes above us." + +"Who told you she stayed in her own room all the time?" continued Betty. + +"Patricia Levine said so," Valerie said. + +"Why, Valerie Dare, you know Patricia tells--well--things that aren't +_really_ true," said Betty. + +"Well, we don't see Ida, now, as we used to," Valerie said. + +"That might just happen," said Betty. + +It happened that what Patricia had said was true. + +The so-called "beautifier" had injured the skin so severely that it +required time to heal it. + +Mrs. Marvin had said that Ida was feeling far from well, which was true. + +Her vanity had prompted her to do a foolish thing, and she had suffered +for it, both because of her painful face, and because in her +nervousness, she had cried until completely tired out. + +Mrs. Marvin had talked with her kindly and wisely, she had let old Judy +take her meals up to her room, and she had personally given her private +instruction, for she pitied the silly girl, and sought to keep curious +ones from annoying her. + +Ida had hastened away when she had seen the two younger girls coming +because there still were traces on her cheeks of the burning caused by +the patent "beautifier," and she seemed more afraid of the comments of +the younger girls, than of her own classmates. + +As the two girls entered the hall they saw that the tall clock marked +the time as quarter-past five. + +"Fifteen minutes to fix up just a bit," said Betty. "Come on!" + +They raced up the stairs and soon reached their room. + +Valerie was ready first, because Betty had found a letter waiting for +her, and promptly sat down to read it. + +"You'd better not stop to read it," cautioned Valerie, "for when we came +in we had only fifteen minutes to--" + +But just then Betty gave a little cry of delight. + +"Oh-oo! Just listen to this!" she cried. "Father says we are to go to +the shore this summer just for a change, and already he has rented the +summer place." She clapped her hands, and laughed with sheer happiness. + +"Oh, I'm so glad to hear that to-night. I do believe I'll dream about +it," she said. + +The half-hour for social chat was over, and dinner was half through when +Patricia and Arabella entered the dining-room. + +All eyes were turned upon them. + +Patricia held her chin very high, and looked as if she were thinking: "I +know I'm late, but what of that?" She was assuming a boldness that she +did not feel, whereas Arabella was absolutely natural. She felt +frightened, and looked--just as she felt. + +"Wouldn't you like to know what they wished?" whispered Valerie, to +which Betty whispered in reply: + +"I'd like to know, but they wouldn't tell us." + +It was a fixed rule at Glenmore that the pupils must be present at the +social half-hour, and then be sure of being prompt at six, the dinner +hour. Patricia and Arabella were the first to break that rule. + + * * * * * + +There was to be a week's vacation, and all but four of the pupils were +to spend it at home. + +They were Patricia and Arabella, Dorothy, and Nancy. + +Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte were still traveling, and Mrs. Vane had +asked Vera to bring Dorothy and Nancy home with her for the week. +Already they had planned enough pleasure to last a month, and Vera was +still racking her busy brain to think of other things that they might +do. + +The pupils were welcome to remain at Glenmore if they wished, and +Patricia had decided that that was just what she would do. + +Arabella had hesitated. She was fond of her father, and she had intended +to go home for the week, but Patricia had declared that they would stay +at Glenmore, and Arabella was no match for Patricia, so it was settled +that they would remain at the school. + +The week at Vera's home opened charmingly. + +Mrs. Vane had given the week over to Vera and her three little guests. + +"It isn't quite a week," she said when she greeted them, "for you have +arrived Monday afternoon, and you must leave Saturday morning. That +gives us Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and we must make each +day delightful." + +"It always is delightful here," said Dorothy, "and it seemed so good to +come to you when mother was away." + +Mrs. Vane drew Dorothy closer. She knew that at heart, sweet Dorothy was +a bit homesick. + +"We'll have a pleasant little home evening with music and games," she +said, "and you'll all feel rested by to-morrow. I'll not tell what I've +in store for to-morrow. That is a secret," she said. + +Of course Vera coaxed, and the others tried to guess, but Mrs. Vane +remained firm, only laughing as their guessing grew wilder. + +"Mother truly can keep a secret, but I can't," said Vera. "I mean to +keep it but first thing I know, I'm telling it." + +"We all know that," said Elf, and Vera joined in the laughter of the +others. + +Tuesday was fair, and Mrs. Vane, at lunch looked at the four bright +faces before her, Vera, a small copy of herself; Elf, whose mischievous +face was truly elfish; Nancy, whose gypsy beauty always pleased, and +Dorothy, blue-eyed, fair-haired, whose lovable disposition shone from +her eyes, and made her sweet to look upon. + +"We shall take a trip to Fairy-land this afternoon," she said, "and +must start directly after lunch." + +That was all that she would tell, and as they motored up one busy +street, and down another, she enjoyed watching their eager faces, and +listening to their chatter. + +Fairy-land proved to be a wonderful play, depicting Elf-land with +fairies, water nymphs, elves and witches, goblins, and gnomes, with +exquisite scenery, beautiful costumes, and graceful dancing that held +them entranced, from the time that the curtain went up until the grand +march of the fairies at the finale. + +The "grown-ups" in the audience were delighted, so it was not strange +that Mrs. Vane's party was spellbound. + +Of them all, Nancy best understood the perfect art of the dancing. She +had been drilled in those dainty steps, and she saw how cleverly each +did her part. + +It was an afternoon of enchantment, and when the play was over, the gay +little party howled along the broad thoroughfare toward home and they +talked of the beautiful fairy play, and the graceful girls who had +danced as nymphs. + +The four days passed so quickly that when Saturday dawned, it seemed +hardly possible that it was time to return to Glenmore. + +There had been a wonderful exhibition of paintings for Wednesday, a huge +fair for Thursday at which Mrs. Vane bought a lovely gift for each as a +souvenir. + +Thursday they had motored out beyond the city where willows were showing +their misty green, and gay little crocus beds were in bloom. They had +stopped for lunch at a pretty restaurant that looked for all the world +like a rustic cottage, and then had returned to find Rob Vane waiting to +greet them, as they drew up to the house. + +"Hello!" he called to them before they had alighted. + +"How is this, that a fellow gets a week's vacation, and comes home from +school to find only servants to greet him?" + +"Why, Robert, I am glad enough to have you home for a week. I thought +you were to stay at school for extra coaching?" + +"That's what I wrote in my last letter," said Rob, "but I passed exams. +with flying colors. I was nervous, and feared I wasn't prepared, but +say! I was needlessly scared, for I not only 'passed,' but snatched the +prize for mathematics." + +"I am proud of you, Robert, and your father will be pleased," Mrs. Vane +said, her fine eyes shining. + +"And I'm proud of you, Rob," cried Vera, rushing at him, and clasping +her arms about him. + +"Hi, Pussy Weather-vane, it's good to have a little sister," said Rob, +swinging her around until she was dizzy. + +"Are you glad to see me, too?" he asked, laughing at her flushed cheeks, +and touzled, flaxen hair. + +"Oh, Rob! _So_ glad, even if you do shake me up until I look wild," Vera +said, clinging to his arm, and dragging him toward the little guests. + +"I dare to say he's the best brother in the world because neither one of +you has a brother, so you won't be offended." + +"Spare my blushes, Vera," cried Rob. "Say, girls, I'm mighty glad to see +you. How long are you to stay? A week?" + +"We are going back to Glenmore Saturday," Dorothy said, "and we start at +nine in the morning. There is no one at the Stone House but the +servants, and it was so lovely to come home with Vera." + +"It surely was the best thing that you could do," Rob replied earnestly, +for he knew by a slight quiver in her voice that Dorothy was a bit +homesick. + +Nancy heard the odd little quiver when Dorothy was speaking, and she +hastened to speak of cheery things. + +"We've had just the dearest visit, and we've been to the theater, to a +big fair, to see a hall hung with beautiful pictures, and how we have +enjoyed it all!" she said. + +"I'll do the entertaining to-morrow," said Rob. "I'll take you all to +see something that will be no end of fun." + +"What will it be, Rob?" Vera asked, but Rob tweaked her curls, and +laughed. + +"That's my secret," he said, and they had to be satisfied with that. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A LIVELY WEEK + + +Dorothy woke very early the next morning, and turned to look at Nancy, +to find that Nancy was looking straight at her. They both laughed. + +"I was wondering if you were awake," Nancy said. + +"I turned to look at you, Nancy, to see if your eyes were open," Dorothy +said. "I was going to ask you if you knew that Patricia and Arabella +were spending the week at Glenmore." + +"I knew it, because when I told Patricia that we were to spend the week +at Vera's home, she looked, for just a second, as if she were provoked +because she had not been invited, too. Then she hurried to say that +she'd rather stay at Glenmore. That Arabella was to stay, too, and that +she thought they would have a finer time than we." + +"I wonder how they amused themselves," Dorothy said. "Glenmore would be +so quiet with all the girls away." + +"And Miss Fenler would have all the time to watch them, with none of the +other pupils to care for," responded Nancy. + +"Dorothy, Nancy! Come down so I can tell you something!" called Vera. + +They heard Mrs. Vane say gently: + +"Don't hurry them, Vera." + +They were half-way down the stairs, however, and in the lower hall they +saw Elf, already up, because she had shared Vera's room, and Vera had +awakened her. + +"Rob has told me! Rob has told me!" Vera said, dancing around Dorothy +and Nancy. "Bob has told me, and I couldn't wait to tell you. He's going +to take us out into the country to our summer place, and there we'll go +to a little country circus! Won't that be great? He came home just in +time." + +"That will be great fun," said Dorothy, "and after we've seen it, we can +talk it over, all the way back." + +"Let's get ready now!" cried Vera. + +"Why, Vera! It is only eight o'clock, and the circus begins at two, so +Bob said," Elf remarked, with the thought of calming Vera, but that was +not so easily done. + +"But it's a two-hour ride out there. Come up to my room, Elf, and help +me choose a dress," Vera replied, as she caught Elf by the hand and +rushed up the stairway. How they laughed. + +The morning sped on wings, and lunch was served early. + +Just as they were leaving the house, the postman brought a letter for +Dorothy that had been remailed from Glenmore, and she took it with her +to read, if there was an opportunity. + +The ride out from the city over fine roads, and along beautiful avenues, +was delightful, and the jolly little party reached "Vane Villa," earlier +than they had thought possible. + +"Dorothy is aching to read her letter," Vera said, "so sit out here and +read it, Dorothy dear," she continued, "and Rob will take Elf around to +see the kennels, and I'll tag along with them, for if I stay here, I'll +talk and talk so you won't know what is in your letter after all." + +It was a kind thought, and a bit of tact that careless, flighty Vera +often showed. + +Dorothy opened her letter, and commenced reading. After a few lines she +looked up, her eyes shining. + +"Nancy, come here, and listen to this. + +"They are already on the homeward trip, and the first of May Mother and +Aunt Charlotte will be at the Stone House, and we are to join them a +week later. Already Mother has written to Mrs. Marvin, and we are to be +excused for the last two weeks at Glenmore, and away we'll speed toward +Merrivale and home." + +"Oh, I am _so_ glad!" Nancy cried as she pressed Dorothy closer. + +"And that isn't all," said Dorothy, "for hear this: + + "I'm sure, dear, that you and Nancy will be + delighted to know that, after a short stay at the + Stone House, we shall go to Foam Ridge for the + summer. You are both so fond of the shore, and the + salt air." + +Nancy's eyes were bright, and there was a droll twinkle in them. + +Drawing closer, Nancy whispered a rare bit of news. + +"Do you mean that?" Dorothy asked. "Are you _sure_?" + +Nancy laughed and nodded. + +[Illustration: DRAWING CLOSER, NANCY WHISPERED A RARE BIT OF +NEWS.--_Page 186._] + +"Perfectly sure," she said, "for only the day before vacation Betty told +me that her mother had just written to say that for a change they were +to spend the summer at the shore, and she said: 'Isn't "Foam Ridge" a +pretty name.' I didn't think to tell you, because I never dreamed that +we would be going to the same place. I knew you'd be pleased, for you +like Betty Chase as well as I do." + +"Oh, I am truly glad that we shall see Betty at the shore." + +"Hello!" shouted Rob. "Anybody thinking of going to the circus!" + +"Yes! Yes!" they cried, and ran to join Rob and Vera and Elf. + +For a small circus it proved to be quite a show. There were trained dogs +that were really clever, there were trained elephants, but best of all +there were some handsome horses, whose riders did wonderful vaulting, +tumbling, and riding, springing over hurdles, and through covered hoops. + +When they left the tent the girls were delighted with the show, and Rob +said it made him think of his early ambition to be a circus performer. + +"Why wouldn't you like to now?" asked Vera. "If I had ever wanted to, +I'd want to now. I wouldn't change my mind. Well, I don't see why you +all laugh!" she cried, looking in surprise from one to the other. + +It was small wonder that they laughed. Vera rarely held one opinion for +more than half a day, and had been known to have a half-dozen minds +inside of an hour! + + * * * * * + +It was a jolly party that took the train for Glenmore on Saturday +morning. Rob had taken them to the station, bought a a box of candy for +each, and waited until the last moment to leave the train. + +"If Miss Fenler has been watching Patricia this week she has been busy," +said Elf, when they had settled themselves for the long ride. + +"She could easily watch Arabella, she is so slow," Dorothy said. + +It happened that Mrs. Marvin had told Miss Fenler to closely watch both +girls who had chosen to spend the week's vacation at the school. + +School without lessons would be fine, they thought. + +"I think Arabella Correyville, if she were here alone, would be very +little care, but Patricia Levine is as full of queer notions as any girl +could be, and she plans the oddest mischief, and then drags slow little +Arabella into it. Patricia never tries to help her out, and she +invariably laughs if Arabella is caught. + +"Arabella is so slow that she really doesn't know that Patricia rules +her, while Patricia rules, and laughs at Arabella for obeying. + +"I promise to watch them, and I am likely to be more closely employed +than during a regular school session," Miss Fenler said in reply. + +The first day passed without any especial happening, but the next day +the two set out for a walk, soon after breakfast, and did not return +until just before six. + +"You were not here at one o'clock for lunch," Miss Fenler said. "Where +were you?" + +"I lunched with a friend," said Patricia, and Arabella drawled, "So did +I." + +"I did not know that you had friends here in town," Miss Fenler said, in +surprise. They were, of course friends, and they had lunched together. +What they had said had been true, but surely not honest. + +Arabella stared stupidly at Miss Fenler, and Patricia imitated her +stolid friend, too. It was easier to look dull than to answer more +questions. + +On the third day Mrs. Marvin was absolutely amazed to glance toward her +window just in time to see Patricia entering the house with a cat in her +arms. + +Questioned as to where she obtained the cat she said that a boy gave it +to her, that she didn't know his name, or where he lived. + +"Where do you expect to keep it?" asked Miss Fenler, who had been sent +to meet her. + +"I thought I could keep her in the little shed that's next to the +kitchen, and then Judy could feed her," was the answer, given as +confidently as if the whole matter were settled. + +Mrs. Marvin came out into the hall in time to hear what Patricia said. + +"I think we can arrange to let puss remain if she is to be under Judy's +care," she said, "for only yesterday she told me that the mice are +becoming very bold, and they are too wise to go into the traps that she +sets." + +A sound of falling pans, flat-irons, and other kitchen utensils made +them start. Patricia clung to the cat, although it was making desperate +efforts to get away. + +"Ow-oo-o! O massy sakes! Yow-hoo!" shouted Judy as she burst the door +open, and tore out into the hall. + +"Dem mices'll kill me yit, I do b'liebe!" she yelled. "De windows, an' +do's is shet, an' dey's prancin' on de kitchen' flo. Oh-oo!" + +"Hush, Judy, hush!" Mrs. Marvin said. "We've a cat with us, and she is +just in time." + +"I sho' won't go nigh dat kitchen wid no cat, nor nuffin' else," Judy +said, her eyes rolling in terror. + +"Pooh!" cried Patricia, "I'd be glad to put her out there before I get +any more scratches," and going to the end of the hall, she opened the +door, and dropped puss on the floor. + +In less time than it takes to tell it the cat had caught the two tiny +mice, that had been far more afraid of the big colored woman, than she +had been of them, and that is saying a great deal. + +Patricia was never inclined to be in any way obliging. She was one of +those unpleasant girls who find no joy in being kind or helpful. + +Whatever she did, was done wholly for her own sake, and Judy eyed her +with suspicion when she saw how promptly she took the big cat to the +kitchen. + +Having given the cat over to the care of Judy, Patricia raced up the +stairway to her room. + +Judy rolled her eyes to look after her. + +"Wha' fo' she done dat?" she asked of Miss Fenler, who stood near her. + +"Wha' fo'? I axes. Dat ar young miss done bring dat cat home ter hab in +her room fo' a pet. How happen her to gib it up ter Judy?" + +"Nonsense, Judy. She knows, as all the pupils know, that it is a fixed +rule at Glenmore, that no pupil can have a pet in her room." + +"All de same, Miss Patrichy _meant_ dat cat ter be up in her room, long +o' dat ar _Carbale_ gal." + +Judy never could get Arabella's name correctly. Sometimes it was +"Carbale," then it was "_Corbille_," but never once had she managed to +call it Correyville. + +"Well, the cat is in the kitchen now, and you must look out for her. +Keep her in for a few days until she feels that this is home, and then +she will stay," Miss Fenler said, and returned to her account-books. + +Thursday the two girls were in their room all day, reading, and +devouring a "treat" that Patricia had smuggled in. It was much the same +menu that Patricia usually chose, without a thought as to how the +different things would combine. + +Who but Patricia Levine would ever think of eating ice-cream, and big +green pickles at the same time? + +The reason that she would have given for eating them at the same time +would have been that she liked both. + +They ate the papers of ice-cream first before it could melt, and then, +each took a huge green pickle, and a favorite book, and settled down to +read. + +When the lunch hour arrived, Patricia felt a bit "queer," while +Arabella felt decidedly "queerer." + +Neither cared to eat, but they dared not stay away from the dining-room, +so both went down to the table, but they made only a pretense of eating. + +Early in the afternoon both felt hungry. Patricia rushed to the closet, +and returned with some chocolate eclaires, and a bottle of olives. + +"I'll eat an eclaire," said Arabella, "but maybe I'd better not eat +olives with it." + +"Well, of all things!" cried Patricia. "Let me tell you what you don't +know. Eclaires and olives just _b'long_ together. Don't act funny, +Arabella." + +Arabella, always afraid of being laughed at, ate not only one eclaire, +but two, and a dozen olives, as well. + +During the afternoon, they ate four crullers, two pickled limes, two +ham sandwiches, and a pound of fudge. + +Patricia could eat anything, and any amount of food without any ill +effect, but Arabella was really sick when the hour for dinner arrived. + +When Mrs. Marvin questioned Patricia, she said that Arabella had a +headache, and that she had said that she was not hungry. + +Mrs. Marvin sent a waitress up to their room with some toast and tea for +Arabella. Arabella barely tasted it, and the girl returned to report +that Miss Arabella looked sick, and really could not eat. + +The next day found her much like her usual self, and Patricia proposed a +walk. + +"I'll go with you in a minute," said Arabella. + +"What _are_ you waiting for?" snapped Patricia. She turned, and saw that +Arabella was shaking some green pills from a bottle. + +"It's hard work trying to mind two people who say different things," +complained Arabella. "Aunt Matilda told me to take these green pills +every hour, wherever I happen to be, and Mrs. Marvin says I must not be +continually taking medicine in the class-room. How can I do both?" + +"Don't take it at all!" cried Patricia. + +"But my health--" + +"Oh, bother your health," said Patricia. "I should think you'd be sick +of hearing about it." + +"I am," confessed Arabella. + +"Then pitch every one of those bottles out, and see what happens! No +wonder the girls here call you the 'medicine-chest.' The doses you take +make me sick just to see them." + +Arabella looked sulky, and when Patricia started for a walk, Arabella +refused to go. She was usually afraid of Patricia, and did as she +directed, but when she became sulky, not even Patricia could move her, +try as she might. + +Arabella was standing near the window when Patricia returned, and what +she saw was anything but pleasing. + +At the end of a leash was a small, shaggy, yellow dog, of no especial +breed! + +Arabella detested dogs, and was desperately afraid of them as well. + +She told herself that the dog would also be in Judy's care, and was +wondering how he would get on with the cat, when she heard a loud +whisper outside the door. + +"Let me in, quick!" it said, and when Arabella opened the door, Patricia +stumbled over the dog who had run between her feet, and the two landed +on the middle of the rug in a heap. + +"There! Isn't he a beauty?" Patricia asked and without waiting for an +answer continued, "A man told me he was a valuable dog that _ought_ to +bring fifty dollars, but because he was going to leave town, he let me +have him, for two dollars, and threw in the leash. Wasn't that a +bargain?" + +"What are you going to do with him?" Arabella asked. "Oh, take him away! +I don't want him sniffing at me!" + +Patricia made an outrageous face, and tugged at the leash. + +"Keep him in this room until I go home, and then take him with me," she +said. + +"I'll not sleep in this room if that dog is kept in here!" declared +Arabella. + +"Where will you sleep?" Patricia asked, coolly. "They wouldn't let you +sleep out in the hall, and if I put the dog out there, 'The Fender' +will take him." + +By extreme care, Patricia managed not to do anything that would make him +bark. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +AN INNOCENT SNEAK-THIEF + + +The little dog had slept all night, but when morning came he wanted to +go out for a romp. Patricia tied him to the leg of the bed, gave him +some breakfast and sat on the floor beside him to stop him if he began +to bark. + +Thus far he had been very quiet, only softly growling, and stopping that +when Patricia held up her finger and told him he must "keep still." + +"Why do we have to review?" Patricia said as Arabella took up a book. + +"The idea of looking into my history to see when Virginia was settled at +Jamestown when any one _knows_ it was in fourteen ninety-two!" + +"O my, Patricia! That's wrong," Arabella said, "That's when Columbus +discovered America." + +"Well, for goodness' sake! Couldn't he have landed in Virginia, and +settled it at the same time?" demanded Patricia. She was desperately +angry, but Arabella persisted. + +"Don't you _know_, Patricia, it _couldn't_ have been settled in fourteen +ninety-two?" + +"Oh, don't bother me about that!" said Patricia, and Arabella, peering +at her through her goggles decided that it would be wise to do no more +correcting. + +"I don't think Miss Fenler is fair," said Patricia, "for she marked my +history paper only forty-two, and I just _know_ it ought to have been +higher than that. And my spelling she marked only thirty-eight last +month, and all because I put an r in water, spelling it 'warter,' and +I'm sure that's not bad." + +"You put two t's in it, too," said Arabella. + +"I will again if I want to," snapped Patricia. + +"There's the breakfast-bell. He's sure to bark while we're down-stairs," +Arabella said. She hoped that he would, so that he might be given other +quarters. He looked up as the door closed, and was about to bark when he +saw one of Arabella's slippers, and grabbing it, retired under the bed +to chew it. + +It was a rule that the maids should make the beds, and put the rooms in +order while the pupils were at breakfast, and on that morning it fell to +Maggie's share of the work to care for the only room now occupied. + +She was a good-natured Irish girl, and she entered the room singing: + + "'Now, Rory, be aisy, don't tase me no more, + 'Tis the--'" + +"Och, murther! Murther! There's a man under the bed, an' he grabbed me +by me shoe,--oh! oh!" + +Down-stairs she ran, screaming all the way, declaring that there was a +man up-stairs, and calling for some one brave enough to "dhrive him +out." + +Her terror was very real, and Marcus was called in to oust the intruder. + +"It must be a sneak-thief," said Miss Fenler. + +"It _am_ a sneak-thief," said Marcus, appearing with the small dog in +his arms. + +"He stole a slipper, an den sneaked under der bed ter chew on it. Sure, +he am a sneak-thief, but I knows a cullud gemman what wants a dog, an' +I guess he's 'bout the right size. Dey has a pow'ful small house, an' +him an' his wife, an' seben chilluns lib in dem two rooms, so he +couldn't want no bigger dog dan dis yar." + +"Why nobody can give that dog away!" shrieked Patricia. "I bought him +yesterday, and paid the man two dollars for him. He's mine!" + +"Do you mean to tell me, Patricia, that you bought that dog and +deliberately brought him here, when you knew that it was against the +rules of the school?" Mrs. Marvin asked. + +"You kept the cat," said Patricia. + +"Because I let the cat remain, you decided that it would be safe to do +practically the same thing again, did you?" Mrs. Marvin's usually kind +voice sounded very cold now. + +"He isn't a cat, so 'tisn't the same," Patricia said with a pout. + +"We must find an owner for him, Marcus," Mrs. Marvin said. + +"I _won't_ let him go!" screamed Patricia. + +"You cannot keep him here." + +"Then I'll go back to my aunt's house at Merrivale, and take him with +me," said Patricia. + +"Do as you like about that," Mrs. Marvin said quietly, "but you must +choose." + +"I've _choosed_, I mean 'chosen,'" said Patricia. "I'll go right +straight off, and take the dog with me." + +It looked like haste and anger, but for weeks Patricia had been so far +behind the others of her class, that she believed that any day Mrs. +Marvin would send her home with a letter stating that she had been +neglecting study, and must give up her place to some ambitious pupil. +Patricia preferred to go of her own choice, so she rushed to her room, +and began to pack her belongings. + +Arabella stood watching her as if not fully realizing that she was +losing her chum. + +She was not quite so dull as she appeared. She was sorry to have +Patricia go, and she was not at all sure that she would like her room +all to herself. At the same time she was comforting herself with the +thought that there would be no one to make her eat things that she ate +for the sake of peace and that nearly always made her ill, or to drag +her into mischief that she, herself would never have thought of. When +Patricia's trunk was strapped to the back of the carriage, and she stood +on the porch, her suit-case in one hand, her other hand holding the +dog's leash, she turned to Arabella. + +"Well, aren't you going to say something, now I'm ready to start?" she +asked. + +"Do'no' what to say," drawled Arabella. + +Arabella had spoken the truth, which, however, was not complimentary, +and Patricia was offended. + +Arabella, looking after her tried to decide just how she felt. She would +miss Patricia, because at times she was a lively chum, but she was quick +to take offense, and Arabella was always doing something that displeased +her. + +Then, too, Arabella had a very small allowance, while Patricia spent +money with a free hand, and always "shared" with Arabella. But what joy +was there in eating the oddly chosen "treats"? + +Arabella decided that as there was but a short time before the closing +of school, it was, perhaps, the best thing that could have happened, +that Patricia had decided to go back to Merrivale. It seemed strange +that she should prefer to be with her aunt in Merrivale, rather than +with her mother, at their home in New York, but those who knew were not +surprised. + +Mrs. Levine was as strange in some respects, as her little daughter was +in others. If Patricia enjoyed being away from home, Mrs. Levine, +flighty, and weak-willed, was glad to be free from the care of Patricia. + +The aunt was very glad of the money paid for Patricia's board, so every +one concerned seemed satisfied. + +Surely Patricia was having but little training, but who was there to +complain? + +Being away from home had one decided advantage, Patricia thought. + +She could ask for money when she needed clothing, and when she received +it she could make her own choice of hats, coats, or dresses, and what a +lively choice it was! + +She had rightly earned the title of the "Human Rainbow." + +She had heard the name, and she liked it. She thought that it implied +that her costumes were gay, rather than dull colored. + +Mrs. Marvin breathed a sigh of relief when Patricia had actually left +Glenmore, and Miss Fenler remarked that Arabella was really too slow to +get into mischief, now that she had no one to assist her. + + * * * * * + +The ride had been a long one, and the car had been hot after the early +morning. Vera complained that she was fairly roasted, while Elf declared +that she had breathed smoke from the open windows until she believed +that she would smell smoke for a week. Dorothy and Nancy made little +fuss about either smoke or heat, bearing the discomforts of the trip +patiently, and laughing when Vera fumed. + +"Well, I know, if I were a man," said Vera, "I could make some kind of +an engine that would go like lightning, and have neither smoke nor +cinders. I told Rob that, and he said, 'Oh, don't let it stop you +because you're not a man. Just go ahead, Pussy Weather-vane, and plan +it. The companies won't refuse to use it because it wasn't invented by a +man!' + +"Now, isn't that just like a boy? What time do I have to do things like +that? Doesn't he know that I have lessons, and all sorts of things that +hinder me?" + +"Why do you girls laugh at everything I say, just as Rob does?" she +concluded, looking in surprise, from one merry face to the other. + +"Oh, but Vera, you are funny when you sputter," said Elf. + +"I s'pose I am," agreed Vera, "and I don't much care. I'm sure I'd +rather make you laugh, than make you look sober." + +"Look! Look!" cried Dorothy. + +"We're almost to Glenmore!" + +"Not yet," said Vera. + +"Oh, but Dorothy is right," said Nancy, "for look there where the river +glistens in the sun." + +"And see that big Club House right over there," Dorothy said, pointing +toward a handsome building of which the town of Glenmore was justly +proud. + +"But it doesn't seem quite like--" + +Vera's remark was interrupted by the trainman, who opened the door and +shouted, "Glenmore! Glenmore!" + +"I guess it did look like it," Vera said, as she sprang out on the +platform, followed by her three laughing companions. Marcus was waiting +for them. + +"Yo'-all git in, an' we'll git dar as quick as we kin. Mis' Marvin, she +say all the other pupils is arriv, an' she hopes you fo' will be some +prompt." + +"We came as soon as the train would bring us," said Elf. + +"But dat train am an hour later dan de time-table say." + +"Do you believe that?" Elf asked of the others, as they rode along. + +"They must have changed the time-table," Nancy said. + +Marcus turned his head to shout: + +"No, miss, no. Nobody doesn't neber chane nuffin' in Glenmore!" + +Mrs. Marvin was on the porch, as the carriage turned in at the gateway, +and she stepped forward to greet them as they sprang out on the walk. + +"I was beginning to wonder what had detained you, when I was delighted +to see the carriage coming around the bend of the road. You are just in +time to go to your rooms and 'freshen up' a bit before dinner, and-- +Why, Arabella Correyville! What does this mean?" + +A drenched and bedraggled figure was mounting the steps. Her hair, and +garments were dripping, she had lost her goggles, and without them her +eyes had a frightened stare. + +"I didn't mean to look like this," she said, "but I lost the key to my +room. I'd locked the door when I went out, and I wanted to study some +before dinner. I climbed up onto the edge of that hogshead that the +workmen had left right beside the trellis that runs up by my window. I +meant to get in at my window, but I fell and got into a hogshead of +dirty water. 'Twasn't very pleasant," she drawled. + +One might have thought, from the manner in which she said it that most +people would have enjoyed the "ducking"! + +Mrs. Marvin looked discouraged. This was the girl that _could not_ get +into a scrape, now that she had no one to drag her in! + +"Miss Fenler, will you assist Arabella in making herself presentable +before six? It is after five-thirty now." + +Miss Fenler looked anything but pleased, but she dared not refuse. +Arabella seemed quieter than ever when she came down the stairway, her +wet garments exchanged for dry ones, and her straight hair primly +braided, thanks to Miss Fenler. + +Doubtless she had not recovered from her surprise when she found +herself in the hogshead. It always required time for Arabella to recover +from any new idea, or unusual happening. + +The other girls were giving the four who had just returned a gay +welcome, and Dorothy slipped her arm around Betty Chase, and told her +the fine news that during the summer they were both to be at Foam Ridge. + +"Oh, Dorothy!" cried Betty, her dark eyes shining, "I was delighted when +mother wrote that we were going there, just because I so love to be at +the shore, and now to think that you and Nancy are to spend the summer +there,--oh, it is such a dear surprise." + +"But listen, every one!" cried Valerie Dare. "That's all very fine for +Betty, but the other bit of news isn't quite so nice. Dorothy Dainty and +Nancy Ferris are to leave Glenmore two weeks earlier than the rest of +us. Say! Do you think we'll miss them?" + +"Oh, Dorothy Dainty! Why do you go so soon?" + +"And take Nancy with you, too! Say, do you have to?" + +"Can't you stay longer?" + +These and many more were the queries called forth by Valerie's +statement. + +It was small comfort for them to listen when Dorothy explained. + +The fact remained, that they did not want to have her leave before +school closed. She had endeared herself to her classmates, and to many +others whom she met at socials, and after school sessions. Nancy shared +her popularity, and both prized the loving friendship that had made +their stay at Glenmore so pleasant. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +A GLAD RETURN + + +"We're glad to think that to-night we shall be at home at the Stone +House, and that we'll be with Mother and Aunt Charlotte again, and we're +really sorry to say 'good-by' to Glenmore and the pleasant friends that +we have found here," Dorothy said, as she stood on the porch with Nancy, +waiting for Marcus, who was to take them to the station. + +"That's just the way we feel," said Nancy. "Glad and sorry at the same +time." + +"Well, let me tell you, _I_ don't feel two ways at once," cried Vera. "I +feel just one way. I'm just _fearfully_ sorry!" + +Mrs. Marvin had bidden them "good-by," after having expressed her +approval of their work as pupils, and her regret that they must leave +too early to have a part in the program at the final exhibition. On the +train that they were to take, there was no stop long enough to obtain +anything to eat, so Judy had put up a tempting lunch of sandwiches, +cake, and fruit. + +Betty and Valerie had a box of chocolates for each, and Ida Mayo, now +wholly recovered, came in at the gate just in time to offer each a +lovely rose from a cluster that she carried. + +Arabella came slowly out to join the group on the porch, and seeing Ida +Mayo offering her roses, she decided not to be outdone. + +"Here, wait 'til I find something," she said, thrusting her hand deep +into her pocket. After a moment's search she produced two bottles of +pills, one pink and the other green. + +"Take 'em with you," she said, offering one to Dorothy, and the other to +Nancy. "One is for a 'tired feeling,' and the other is for feeling too +good. I've forgotten which is which, but if you take them both, you're +sure to feel all right during the long car-ride." + +There were stifled giggles, for surely bottles of medicine were curious +gifts to offer, and the group of girls thought it the drollest thing +that Arabella had yet done. + +For only a second did Dorothy hesitate. She did not, of course, want to +accept the funny gift, but she saw Arabella's cheek flush, as little +Lina Danford laughed softly, and she did the kindest thing that she +could have done. + +"Thank you," she said, gently, then to the others she added: "Arabella +is eager to have us both feel fine when we reach Merrivale." + +The soft laughter ceased, and Ida Mayo said to a girl who stood near +her: "Isn't that just like Dorothy Dainty! She doesn't want those pills +any more than you or I would, but she won't let Arabella feel hurt." + +"She is dear, and sweet," was the whispered reply, "and so is Nancy." + +At last Marcus arrived, and as they rode along the avenue, they waved +their handkerchiefs to the group on the porch until they turned the +corner, and were out of sight. + +The long car-ride was much like any all-day ride. Rather pleasant at +first, a bit tedious on the last hour, but oh, the joy of the +home-coming! + +Mrs. Dainty had felt the first separation from Dorothy keenly, and she +could not school herself to be calm when for the first time in months +she would see her sweet face again, so she sent the limousine over to +the station, and with a desperate effort at patience, waited at home for +the sound of its return. + +Aunt Charlotte was more calm, but so long had Nancy been under her care +that she seemed like a little daughter, and now, with Mrs. Dainty she +sat waiting, and each smiled when she caught the other watching the +clock. + +Of course the train was late in arriving at Merrivale, and Mrs. Dainty +was just beginning to be anxious when the limousine whirled up the +driveway, and stopped. John opened the door, and in an instant Dorothy +found herself held close in loving arms. + +"Dorothy, my darling, I can never be parted from you again. If it is a +question of travel, I will not go unless you go with me, and if it is +education, then you must have private tutors at home." + +"Oh, yes, yes!" agreed Dorothy. + +"At first the newness amused me, but the last half of the time grew +harder and harder to bear. I knew you needed the rest and change and I +did my best. When I found that you had come home two weeks earlier, I +could hardly wait till this morning to start." + +"We've tried to be cheerful for each other," Nancy said, looking out +from her shelter in Aunt Charlotte's arms, "but oh, how good it is to be +at home!" + +Mollie Merton, and Flossie Barnet had waved to them as they turned in at +the great gate, and Uncle Harry had swung his cap gayly, and looked the +genuine pleasure that he felt at seeing them again. + +"Let's go over to see Dorothy and Nancy," Flossie said, but Uncle Harry +laid his hand gently on her arm. + +"Not just now, Flossie dear," he said. "My little niece is truly glad to +see them, but I think there will be things to talk over, and they have +been apart for months, so they should have this evening uninterrupted by +any friends." + +"I guess that's so," said Flossie, "but it's hard to wait until +to-morrow to tell them how glad we are to see them." + +"I love dat Dorothy girl, _myself_," said Uncle Harry's small daughter, +"and I love dat Nancy girl, too. Dat Dorothy girl always has candy for +me, and dat Nancy girl makes hats for my dolly." + +Uncle Harry swung the tiny girl up to a seat on his shoulder, and his +blue eyes twinkled as he looked into the little, eager face. + +"Don't you love them when they aren't giving you something?" he asked. + +"Oh, yes!" said the little maid, "but I love them _harder_ when they +do." + +"Then you'll love me 'harder' than you do now if I give you a ride up to +the house?" he asked. + +"Oh, yes, yes!" she cried, and she laughed gayly as she rode in triumph +up the driveway, and into the house. + +The evening was spent in the big living-room, with a small fire blazing +in the fireplace. It had been warm and sunny all day, but when evening +came, an east wind had risen, and the happy little party was glad to sit +cosily in doors. Dorothy and Nancy listened entranced while Mrs. Dainty +and Aunt Charlotte told of their travels. They had been south, they had +been west, and they had brought home beautiful souvenirs of every place +at which they had stayed. + +Then Dorothy and Nancy told of the life at Glenmore, of the new friends +that they had met, and of Arabella and Patricia. + +It was a happy evening. + +Mr. Dainty had found it impossible to reach home until a week later, but +he had written a longer letter than usual, and had sent one especially +to Dorothy, and it seemed almost as if he were really talking to her as +she read it. + +Bright and early next morning Mollie and Flossie raced over to the Stone +House, and the four chattered so fast, that the old gardener at work +near the fountain, took off his hat, and for a moment stood listening. +He was not near enough to know what they were saying, but he heard their +happy voices, now talking, now laughing, and he spoke his thoughts. + +"Hear that now, hear that! An' will any man tell me that a garding is a +reel garding widout the sound o' merry voices? Sure, it's been so still +here the past few weeks that I begun ter talk ter meself, just ter break +the stillness, but it didn't do the trick, fer me voice ain't what yo +calls 'moosicle.' Oh, hear them now! It does me good, so it does." + +There was news, and a plenty of it to tell, and when Dorothy and Nancy +had told the happenings at Glenmore, Mollie and Flossie took their turn, +and related all the Merrivale news. + +"You know Sidney Merrington used to be so lazy last winter that he +didn't get on at all at school," said Flossie. "Arithmetic was all that +really vexed him, but because he had low marking for that, he wouldn't +try hard to do anything else. + +"Well, Mollie promised to help him, (you needn't bother to poke me, +Mollie, for I _will_ tell) and she did help him every day, and after a +while he began to help himself, and last week his average on the exam. +was ninety-three. Wasn't that fine? He never would have got that if +Mollie hadn't helped him." + +"Mollie, you were dear," said Dorothy. + +"And Tess Haughton is ever so much nicer than she was," Mollie said, "for +she doesn't do anything now that seems,--why not quite true. That +doesn't sound just as I mean it. I know how to say it now. I mean that +she isn't sly. She is a good playmate, and a good friend." + +"Oh, that's fine!" Dorothy and Nancy cried, as if with one voice. + +"There's another fine thing to tell," said Flossie. "Reginald Dean, with +the help of his big dog saved a little boy from drowning. Reginald saw +him fall from the bridge, and he never stopped to think that he isn't +very big himself, but jumped right in, and was doing his best to save +him, when all at once his strength gave out, and he called for help. He +never dreamed that his dog had followed him, until with a splash he +jumped into the water close beside him, grabbed his clothes, and dragged +the two boys out." + +"Wasn't that great?" said Dorothy, her hands tightly clasped, her eyes +shining. "Reginald has the new bicycle that he so wanted. His father +gave it to him, because he had been brave enough to forget danger, and +rush to aid the other boy," said Mollie, "and the dog is wearing a new +collar with a brass plate on it, engraved, 'I'm a Life-Saver.'" + +"Katie Dean said she was almost sure that she saw Patricia Levine +yesterday," said Flossie, "but I said I thought she must still be away +at school. Do you know where she is now?" + +"She might have seen her, for she left Glenmore before we did," Dorothy +said, and she was just in the midst of telling how Patricia had brought +the big cat home, and next had appeared with a little dog, when Mollie +said: + +"Here she comes now. Why, she has a dog with her!" + +"That's the one," said Nancy, "and she has him on a leash now, just as +she did at Glenmore. I wonder if her aunt likes him. He tears and chews +everything he can get hold of." + +"Hello!" called Patricia, as soon as she saw them, then, "My! What did +you and Nancy get sent home for?" + +"We weren't sent home," Nancy said, indignantly. + +"Now, Nancy Ferris, Glenmore doesn't close until next week, and here are +you two at home." + +"That is no sign that we were sent," said Dorothy. "Mother sent for us." + +"Oh, was that it?" Patricia said saucily, and then turning to Mollie she +asked: + +"How do you like my dog? He isn't a pretty dog, but he knows everything, +and he _always_ minds. My friends think it is just wonderful the way he +minds me. I taught him to. Stop!" she cried. "Stop, I tell you. I won't +let you chew the edge of my skirt. Will you stop? Oh, well I don't care +if you do chew it. It's an old dress, anyway." + +She saw that he would not stop. + +"I've named him Diogenes. I don't know who Diogenes was, but I liked the +name and he's such a hand to dodge, I thought I'd call him 'Dodgy' for +short. Well, I'm sure I don't see why you look so amused. _I_ think I've +chosen a grand name for him. Come on, Dodgy!" but the small dog lay +down. + +"Well, well, how you do act! Come on! Up the street! Come!" + +The dog got up, yawned, and then, taking a good hold on the leash, he +snatched it from Patricia's hand, and made off with it, as fast as he +could scamper, Patricia after him at top speed. + +"He minded me that time," she turned to say, then resumed her chase. + + * * * * * + +The next few days were filled with preparation for the trip to Foam +Ridge, and Dorothy and Nancy could think of little else. + +Both had felt the constraint at Glenmore which was really necessary at +so large a school. + +The freedom from study, with its fixed hours would be refreshing. + +There would be fine surf at Foam Ridge, and the two had "tried on" their +new bathing-suits at least a dozen times. They had studied the elaborate +booklet that showed in colors, the beauty-spots of the place, and +Dorothy had received a letter from Betty Chase, saying that in a short +time she would be there to join them in their sports. + +They were wondering what new friends they would make during the summer. +Betty, they knew, would be a lively companion. + +Of the gay summer at the shore, of the fun and frolic, of the unexpected +things that happened, one may read in + + "DOROTHY DAINTY AT FOAM RIDGE." + + + + + * * * * * + + + + +_THE DOROTHY DAINTY SERIES_ + +By AMY BROOKS + +Large 12mo Cloth Illustrated by the Author + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + _Dorothy Dainty_ + _Dorothy's Playmates_ + _Dorothy Dainty at School_ + _Dorothy Dainty at the Shore_ + _Dorothy Dainty in the City_ + _Dorothy Dainty at Home_ + _Dorothy Dainty's Gay Times_ + _Dorothy Dainty in the Country_ + _Dorothy Dainty's Winter_ + _Dorothy Dainty in the Mountains_ + _Dorothy Dainty's Holidays_ + _Dorothy Dainty's Vacation_ + + "LITTLE DOROTHY DAINTY is one of the most + generous-hearted of children. Selfishness is not + at all a trait of hers, and she knows the value of + making sunshine, not alone in her own heart, but + for her neighborhood and friends."--_Boston + Courier._ + + "DOROTHY DAINTY, a little girl, the only child of + wealthy parents, is an exceedingly interesting + character, and her earnest and interesting life is + full of action and suitable + adventure."--_Pittsburg Christian Advocate._ + + "No finer little lady than Dorothy Dainty was ever + placed in a book for children."--_Teachers' + Journal, Pittsburg._ + + "MISS BROOKS is a popular writer for the very + little folks who can read. She has an immense + sympathy for the children, and her stories never + fail to be amusing."--_Rochester_ (_N.Y._) + _Herald._ + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + + + +_THE RANDY BOOKS_ + +_By AMY BROOKS_ + +12mo CLOTH ARTISTIC COVER DESIGN IN GOLD AND COLORS + +ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR PRICE, _Net_, $1.00 EACH + +[Illustration] + + The progress of the "Randy Books" has been one + continual triumph over the hearts of girls of all + ages, for dear little fun-loving sister Prue is + almost as much a central figure as Randy, growing + toward womanhood with each book. The sterling good + sense and simple naturalness of Randy, and the + total absence of slang and viciousness, make these + books in the highest degree commendable, while + abundant life is supplied by the doings of merry + friends, and there is rich humor in the droll + rural characters. + + _Randy's Summer_ _Randy's Good Times_ + _Randy's Winter_ _Randy's Luck_ + _Randy and Her Friends_ _Randy's Loyalty_ + _Randy and Prue_ _Randy's Prince_ + + + + + + "The Randy Books are among the very choicest books + for young people to make a beginning with." + --_Boston Courier._ + + "The Randy Books of Amy Brooks have had a deserved + popularity among young girls. They are wholesome + and moral without being goody-goody." + --_Chicago Post._ + + + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + + + +_THE PRUE BOOKS_ + +By AMY BROOKS + +=Illustrated by the Author= 12mo Cloth Net, $1.00 each + + * * * * * + +[Illustration] + + Cunning little Prue, one of the most winsome little + girls ever "put in a book," has already been met in + another series where she gave no small part of the + interest. She well deserved books of her own for + little girls of her age, and they are now ready + with everything in the way of large, clear type, + and Miss Brooks's best pictures and her pleasing + cover designs to make them attractive. + + Little Sister Prue Prue's Merry Times + Prue at School Prue's Little Friends + Prue's Playmates Prue's Jolly Winter + + "Miss Brooks always brings out the best ways of + acting and living and provides a good deal of + humor in her original country + characters."--_Watchman, Boston._ + + "Few writers have ever possessed the faculty of + reaching the hearts and holding the interest of + little girl readers to the extent Miss Brooks + has."--_Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Me._ + + "To know Prue is to love her, for no more winsome + little girl was ever put in a book, and her keen + wit and unexpected drolleries make her doubly + attractive."--_Kindergarten Magazine._ + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +=_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers_= + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + +Only Dollie + +By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha Davidson +Square 12mo Cloth $1.00 _net_ + +[Illustration] + + This is a brightly written story of a girl of + twelve, who, when the mystery of her birth is + solved, like Cinderella, passes from drudgery to + better circumstances. There is nothing strained or + unnatural at any point. All descriptions or + portrayals of character are life-like, and the + book has an indescribable appealing quality which + wins sympathy and secures success. + + "It is delightful reading at all times."--_Cedar + Rapids (Ia.) Republican._ + + "It is well written, the story runs smoothly, the + idea is good, and it is handled with + ability."--_Chicago Journal._ + + +The Little Girl Next Door + +By NINA RHOADES. Large 12mo Cloth +Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1.00 _net_ + + A delightful story of true and genuine friendship + between an impulsive little girl in a fine New + York home and a little blind girl in an apartment + next door. The little girl's determination to + cultivate the acquaintance, begun out of the + window during a rainy day, triumphs over the + barriers of caste, and the little blind girl + proves to be in every way a worthy companion. + Later a mystery of birth is cleared up, and the + little blind girl proves to be of gentle birth as + well as of gentle manners. + + +Winifred's Neighbors + +By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson +Large 12mo Cloth $1.00 _net_ + + Little Winifred's efforts to find some children of + whom she reads in a book lead to the acquaintance + of a neighbor of the same name, and this + acquaintance proves of the greatest importance to + Winifred's own family. Through it all she is just + such a little girl as other girls ought to know, + and the story will hold the interest of all ages. + +[Illustration] + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers_ + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + +The Children on the Top Floor + +[Illustration] + +By NINA RHOADES Large 12mo Cloth +Illustrated by Bertha Davidson, $1.00 _net_ + + In this book little Winifred Hamilton, the child + heroine of "Winifred's Neighbors," reappears, + living in the second of the four stories of a New + York apartment house. On the top floor are two + very interesting children, Betty, a little older + than Winifred, who is now ten, and Jack, a brave + little cripple, who is a year younger. In the end + comes a glad reunion, and also other good fortune + for crippled Jack, and Winifred's kind little + heart has once more indirectly caused great + happiness to others. + + +How Barbara Kept Her Promise + +By NINA RHOADES Large 12mo Cloth +Illustrated by Bertha Davidson $1.00 _net_ + + Two orphan sisters, Barbara, aged twelve, and + little Hazel, who is "only eight," are sent from + their early home in London to their mother's + family in New York. Faithful Barbara has promised + her father that she will take care of pretty, + petted, mischievous Hazel, and how she tries to do + this, even in the face of great difficulties, + forms the story which has the happy ending which + Miss Rhoades wisely gives to all her stories. + + +Little Miss Rosamond + +[Illustration] + +By NINA RHOADES Illustrated by Bertha G. Davidson +Large 12mo $1.00 _net_ + + Rosamond lives in Richmond, Va., with her big + brother, who cannot give her all the comfort that + she needs in the trying hot weather, and she goes + to the seaside cottage of an uncle whose home is + in New York. Here she meets Gladys and Joy, so + well known in a previous book, "The Little Girl + Next Door," and after some complications are + straightened out, bringing Rosamond's honesty and + kindness of heart into prominence, all are made + very happy. + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all bookseller or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers_ + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + +"_Brick House Books_" + +_By NINA RHOADES_ + +Cloth 12mo Illustrated $1.00 _net_ each + + * * * * * + + +Priscilla of the Doll Shop + +[Illustration] + + The "Brick House Books," as they are called from + their well-known cover designs, are eagerly sought + by children all over the country. There are three + good stories in this book, instead of one, and it + is hard to say which little girls, and boys, too, + for that matter, will like the best. + + +Brave Little Peggy + + Peggy comes from California to New Jersey to live + with a brother and sister whom she has not known + since very early childhood. She is so democratic + in her social ideas that many amusing scenes + occur, and it is hard for her to understand many + things that she must learn. But her good heart + carries her through, and her conscientiousness and + moral courage win affection and happiness. + + +The Other Sylvia + +[Illustration] + + Eight-year-old Sylvia learns that girls who are + "Kings' Daughters" pledge themselves to some kind + act or service, and that one little girl named + Mary has taken it upon herself to be helpful to + all the Marys of her acquaintance. This is such an + interesting way of doing good that she adopts it + in spite of her unusual name, and really finds not + only "the other Sylvia," but great happiness. + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers_ + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + + + + +TOP-OF-THE-WORLD STORIES + +=Translated from the Scandinavian Languages= + +=By EMILIE POULSSON and LAURA POULSSON= + + =Illustrated in two colors by Florence Liley Young= + + =Price, Net, $1.25= + +[Illustration] + +These stories of magic and adventure come from the countries at the +"top of the world," and will transport thither in fancy the children who +read this unusual book. They tell of Lapps and reindeer (even a +golden-horned reindeer!), of prince and herd-boy, of knights and wolves +and trolls, of a boy who could be hungry and merry at the same time--of +all these and more besides! Miss Poulsson's numerous and long visits to +Norway, her father's land, and the fact that she is an experienced +writer for children are doubtless the reasons why her translations are +sympathetic and skilful, and yet entirely adapted to give wholesome +pleasure to the young public that she knows so well. + + "In these stories are the elements of wonder and + magic and adventure that furnish the thrill so + much appreciated by boys and girls ten or twelve + years of age. An aristocratic book--one that every + young person will be perpetually proud + of."--_Lookout, Cincinnati, O._ + + "In this book the children are transported to the + land they love best, the land of magic, of the + fairies and all kinds of wonderful happenings. It + is one of the best fairy story books ever + published."--_Argus-Leader, Sioux Falls, S.D._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers_ + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston + + + + +YULE-TIDE IN MANY LANDS + +By MARY P. PRINGLE and CLARA A. URANN + + =Fully illustrated and decorated= + + =12mo Cloth Price, $1.25 Net= + +[Illustration] + +The varying forms of Christmas observance at different times and in +different lands are entertainingly shown by one trained in choosing and +presenting the best to younger readers. The symbolism, good cheer, and +sentiment of the grandest of holidays are shown as they appeal in +similar fashion to those whose lives seem so widely diverse. The first +chapter tells of the Yule-Tide of the Ancients, and the eight succeeding +chapters deal respectively with the observance of Christmas and New +Year's, making up the time of "Yule," or the turning of the sun, in +England, Germany, Scandinavia, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, and +America. The space devoted to each country has at least one good +illustration. + + "The descriptions as presented in this + well-prepared volume make interesting reading for + all who love to come in loving contact with others + in their high and pure + enjoyments."--_Herald-Presbyter, Cincinnati._ + + "The way Yule-Tide was and is celebrated is told + in a simple and instructive way, and the narrative + is enriched by appropriate poems and excellent + illustrations."--_Cleveland Plain Dealer._ + + "It is written for young people and is bound to + interest them for the subject is a universal + one."--_American Church Sunday School Magazine._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers_ + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston + + + + +LITTLE FOLKS OF ANIMAL LAND + +=Photographed and described by= + +HARRY WHITTIER FREES + + Sixty Full-page Pictures of Animal Pets, Costumed, Posed, and + Photographed from Life Each with a Descriptive Story + Square 8vo Cloth Photographic Cover-insert, + End-leaves and Jacket + + Price, Net, $1.50; Postpaid, $1.70 + +[Illustration] + +There is no other book like this, nor has there been. Mr. Frees has no +equal in the posing and photographing of pet animals, especially kittens +and puppies, which he delights to clothe in quaintly human style and +cause to appear intently engaged in all manner of human duties and +pastimes. His clever imagination also lends itself readily to +entertaining story-telling. The result is a book that surprises and +delights all who see it. Each of sixty half-tones from photographs of +living, costumed pets is faced by a page of bright descriptive +narrative. The continuation of story-interest is remarkably good, and +the pictures are a wonderful proof of what skill can do when combined +with patience and kindness. + + "The novelty of the year in children's books, + exquisitely illustrated and printed, and appealing + to every lover of pets. The only way to really + know and enjoy this wonderful volume is to get it + and live with it. There is no other book like + this, nor has there been any."--_Universalist + Leader._ + + "We hardly know of such a delicious book for + little children, with sixty little stories and the + same number of lovely full-page pictures of cats + and dogs and dolls, for the delight of grown-ups + just as surely as the little folks. It is a + pleasant little feast all the way through for the + eyes and the tender feelings."--_Herald and + Presbyter._ + + "There is a good deal of both fun and sentiment in + the stories, and they will appeal to all lovers of + pets."--_Brooklyn Daily Eagle._ + + * * * * * + +=For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by +the publishers= + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston + + + + +THE SLEEPY-TIME STORY-BOOK + +By RUTH O. DYER + + With Frontispiece by ALICE BARBER STEPHENS and Fifty-four + Pen-and-ink Illustrations by BERTHA DAVIDSON + HOXIE Decorative End-leaves and Title-page + + Price, Net, $1.00; Postpaid, $1.10 + +[Illustration] + +Intelligent mothers have learned better than to spoil the restful sleep +of a child, and probably exert an unfortunate influence upon his +disposition and character, by tales of ogres, dark woods, and savage +beasts. They know he cannot rest well with his mind excited and his +blood quickened by tales of adventure, but are at a loss to answer the +natural plea for a bed-time story in a way that shall interest and yet +soothe. The simple nature-stories in this attractive book are the +prescription of an expert for all such cases. Using familiar objects, +they, with words adapted to a lulling tone of voice, will hold the +attention of a child until refreshing drowsiness comes to bring +healthful rest. + + "A unique and delightful volume of restful stories + by which the mother may put her little child to + bed. They meet not only the need of the mother who + thinks she does not know how to tell stories, but + their slow cadences must be almost magical in the + way of lulling a child to refreshing + drowsiness."--_Bulletin of the American Institute + of Child Life._ + + "In the fashion of prose lullabies, Ruth Dyer has + put together a little volume of twenty-five short + stories. Each deals with the things of every-day + child experiences, and aside from the standpoint + of nap-time stories, forms a pleasant lesson for + the child consciousness in making it aware of its + surroundings."_--The Churchman._ + + "Pretty little bedside tales of the tranquilizing + order are grouped in this neat little book for the + pleasure of little people and the relief of + mothers."--_Detroit Free Press._ + + * * * * * + +For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston + + + + +New Editions of Two Favorite Books + + +THE LANCE OF KANANA + +A STORY OF ARABIA + +By HARRY W. FRENCH ("Abd el Ardavan") + +Two-color illustrations by Garrett Net, $1.00 + +[Illustration] + +Kanana, a Bedouin youth, though excelling in athletic prowess, is +branded, even by his father, as a coward because he prefers the humble +lot of a shepherd to the warrior's career that he, the son of a sheik +known as the "Terror of the Desert," was expected to follow. "Only for +Allah and Arabia will I lift a lance and take a life," he maintained. +Opportunity to prove his worth soon comes, and the supposed coward, +understood too late, becomes in memory a national hero. + + "The stirring story of the loyalty and + self-sacrifice of a Bedouin boy is well worth the + attractive new edition in which it now presents + its rare pictures of fervid + patriotism."--_Continent, Chicago._ + + + + +THE ADVENTURES + +OF MILTIADES PETERKIN PAUL + +By JOHN BROWNJOHN + +Frontispiece by John Goss Illustrated by "Boz" + +Quarto Net, $1.00 + +[Illustration] + +Here is a child classic reissued in a finer and handsomer form, in +response to the persistent demand of those who know the mirth-provoking +quality of the exploits of the ingenious small boy named Miltiades +Peterkin Paul and spoken of as "a great traveler, although he was +small." Whoever has once enjoyed the story of the restless little lad +who imitated Don Quixote, and did many other things, is permanently +charmed by it. + + "This youthful Don Quixote, with his travels and + exploits, drives 'dull care' away from the elders + and delights the juniors."--_Watchman_, _N.Y._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the +publishers_ + +Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., Boston + + + + +HOME ENTERTAINING + +What to Do, and How to Do It + +Edited by WILLIAM E. CHENERY + + 12mo Cloth Price, Net, $.75 Postpaid, $.85 + +[Illustration] + +This book is the product of years of study and the practical trying-out +of every conceivable form of indoor entertainment. All the games, +tricks, puzzles, and rainy-day and social-evening diversions have been +practised by the editor; many are original with him, and many that are +of course not original have been greatly improved by his intelligence. +All are told in the plainest possible way, and with excellent taste. The +book is well arranged and finely printed. At a low price it places +within the reach of all the very best of bright and jolly means of +making home what it ought to be--the best place for a good time by those +of all ages. + + "The book is bright and up to date, full of cheer + and sunshine. A good holiday book."--_Religious + Telescope_, _Dayton, Ohio._ + + "For those who want new games for the home this + book supplies the _very_ best--good, clean, hearty + games, full of fun and the spirit of + laughter."--_N.Y. Times._ + + "Altogether the book is a perfect treasure-house + for the young people's rainy day or social + evening."--_New Bedford Standard._ + + "The arrangement is excellent and the instructions + so simple that a child may follow them. A book + like this is just the thing for social + evenings."--_Christian Endeavor World._ + + "A book giving the best, cleanest and brightest + games and tricks for home + entertaining."--_Syracuse Herald._ + + "The book is clearly written and should prove of + value to every young man who aspires to be the + life of the party."--_Baltimore Sun._ + + "Only good, bright, clean games and tricks appeal + to Mr. Chenery, and he has told in the simplest + and most comprehensive manner how to get up + 'amusements for every one.'"--_Hartford Courant._ + + * * * * * + +_For sale by all booksellers or sent on receipt of postpaid price by the +publishers_ + +LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON + + + + * * * * * + + + +Transcriber's notes: + + Obvious punctuation errors corrected. + + Page 94, "bankets" changed to "blankets" (many blankets.) + + Page 101, "repent" changed to "repeat" (to repeat it). + + Page 196, "Bob" changed to "Rob" (said Rob. "I'll) + + Page 229, "Molly" changed to "Mollie". ("Well, Mollie promised to + help him, (you needn't bother to poke me, Mollie, for I _will_ + tell) and she did help him every day, and after a while he began + to help himself, and last week his average on the exam. was + ninety-three. Wasn't that fine? He never would have got that if + Mollie hadn't helped him." + + "Mollie, you were dear," said Dorothy. + + "And Tess Haughton is ever so much nicer than she was," Mollie + said) + + Also on page 251, (and then turning to Mollie). + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOROTHY DAINTY AT GLENMORE*** + + +******* This file should be named 7479.txt or 7479.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/7/4/7/7479 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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