“She will doubtless become famous,” went on Maude, scornfully, “and make Rivercliff famous, by winding up as the exponent of a toothwash, or illustrating the use of a pair of shoulder braces.”
The whole company was now in ungovernable laughter. Beth knew that she should have laughed herself had the victim been some other girl. Indeed, she could have laughed with them at the fun poked at her, had it not been so venomously done.
“Beth Baldwin!” somebody shouted. “Discovered! She must pay a forfeit.”
Beth heard Molly sputtering angrily behind her; but she realized that if she took offence, or if Molly was allowed to do so, it would only make her the more ridiculous. One decision Beth made, however, right then and there. It was a decision bound to change the tenor of her whole career at Rivercliff School.
“Unmask! You’re caught,” ordered the “judge.”
Beth did so and managed to show a smiling, if flushed, countenance to the assembly.
“Well, I think it’s mighty clever of her,” drawled one girl, “if she can earn money posing for her picture.”
The others were, however, clamoring for Beth to pay a forfeit. The judge was supposed to accept suggestions for that. Maude’s sharp voice was ready:
“Oh, it doesn’t really matter what she does, I fancy. As long as there’s anything to be earned by it, Miss Baldwin is prepared to do it. Like our politicians, she is ‘out for the dough.’”
“How very vulgar, Maude!” said the “judge,” tartly. “Suppose Miss Carroll should hear that?”