“Well, there’s some fun in that,” admitted the jolly one. “At least, the sign will make ’em laugh.”
But Beth looked for more serious returns than mere amusement.
CHAPTER XVII
FLINT AND STEEL
Meanwhile letters had passed frequently between Beth and the little cottage on Bemis Street, Hudsonvale. Ella was Beth’s most frequent correspondent. The flyaway sister was eager to learn every particular about Beth’s new environment.
But Beth was very careful to say nothing in her letters to those at home to lead them to suspect that all was not fair sailing for her at Rivercliff. Having resolved to bear bravely such trials as she had, Beth was not the girl to weaken.
She was glad to get the home letters, and those from Mary Devine and the other girls; but the letter that secretly pleased her most came from Larry Haven.
To her surprise she had learned that Larry, immediately after she had departed for school, had taken up his old habit of dropping in frequently at the Baldwin cottage.
Ella’s letters were full of “Larry says this” and “Larry did that” when he was at the house last. Beth knew he had obtained clients almost at once. He even would try a case—his maiden case—at the October Court.
So his letter, when it came, did not surprise Beth; and it was evidently written in the first exuberance of his victory.
“‘Hail to the chief who in triumph advances——