“Here is a stranger in our midst,” said the red and black kimono, in a sepulchral voice. “Who can she be?”
“It’s plain to be seen she’s a person of note,” said one, demurely.
“And a person of quality,” added a sharp voice. “Note the gown she has on. It must have cost ‘trippence’ a yard, as Miss Small would say,” and there was a rising giggle from a group of masks in one corner.
Beth flashed a glance that way. She felt the enmity of these masked girls in the very air. Had she known how to escape she would have done so before the mock examination went any further.
In that particular group of girls Beth suddenly recognized Maude Grimshaw’s blue and silver kimono. And it was from the wearer of this beautiful garment that the next unkind observation fell:
“We are advertised by this young person. Oh! she is an acquisition to Rivercliff, undoubtedly.”
“You’re not!” snapped Molly Granger’s voice from behind Beth.
But Maude had her speech ready, and was not to be sidetracked.
“I suppose this girl began by being photographed as a patent-food baby. Then she advertised a brand of soap as she grew older, until now she has arrived at the dignity of being flaunted in seven colors on the cover of a cheap magazine.”
There was a murmur of objection from some of the hooded girls; but there was laughter, too.