"What will you do?"
"I can't tell you until afterward. Don't I wish Rob Alston was home, though! He would enjoy the fun."
They separated at Emma's gate. She was not altogether sure that she was right in her desire, but she determined not to worry herself on that score.
Belle's party was to be quite a grand affair. A number of the Academy boys were invited, those who were rich and stylish; Belle did not come to school the next day, and the girls were rather indiscreet without their leader.
The rooms were beautiful, the supper elegant, the music fine, but—there were so few young gentlemen! Not Dick Grayson, nor Walter Dorrance, nor Charlie Darrell, nor—ever so many others that had been counted upon sure.
Emma guessed as she heard the floating talk.
"I do suppose Belle Hadden was as deeply mortified last night as she could be," Emma said to Kathie. "If ever I have another cause that I want righted I will place it in Dick Grayson's hand. He is equal to Arthur's knights."
"What did he do?"
"He said he had a plan. I know now that it must have been to keep the nicest boys away from the party. Belle likes Dick so much too. It must have been worth seeing,—their disappointment. A host of wall-flowers with no one to lead them out to dance!"
"You didn't ask him to do it?" Kathie's face was full of pain and regret.