“I am glad to have such independent girls as you with us,” the lady said, smiling kindly. “We have too many of the ‘parasite’ class in this world. Welcome to the producer! Be something and do something in the world; that is a good motto.
“There are ways open to bright girls to earn money, not only in vacation time, but during the semester. Later, when you have proved your ability, there may be pupil teaching. Some of our primary pupils are not forward children and they need the encouragement of older girls. I shall be glad to make use of you in this way, Elizabeth Baldwin, if you prove yourself capable.”
The lady spoke very kindly to Beth all through this interview, evidently wishing to convince the new pupil that she was just as welcome to Rivercliff School as those girls from wealthier homes. Yet Beth had already gained an impression that the tone of the school was one of fashion and idle show.
At prayers, better than at breakfast, Beth had been able to gain a view of the school—or of such of its membership as was present—and she saw that there was scarcely a girl among them all as plainly dressed as she.
Even Molly Granger seemed very fancifully clothed beside Beth. Beth’s traveling dress was a very good one. As she had confessed to Molly, that, and the poplin she had worn to Larry Haven’s party, were her two best gowns. The other frocks Mrs. Baldwin had made for her daughter were of good wearing material, but inexpensive.
“My, but you look like a quiet little brown mouse!” Molly had said that morning, when she saw Beth dressed to go down to breakfast.
And even that pleasant comment was a criticism, Beth now realized. This was truly a new world to her. She had no idea that girls from fourteen to eighteen could be so fashionable.
There was a rustle of silk petticoats as the girls took seats beside her in the hall; the laces displayed were real; the ribbons flaunted were of the very best quality; and almost every girl she saw wore more or less jewelry.
Beth tried the effect of Larry’s present at the collar of her simple gingham when she went back to Number Eighty after her interview with Miss Hammersly, and saw immediately that the pin did not go at all with such a frock. Even Larry knew more about what girls wore at a school like Rivercliff than she and her mother had known! It was a very pretty pin; but to wear it with a gingham dress was certainly not the thing.
Jolly Molly said nothing to her about her appearance save that first comment. But Beth began to be afraid that her commonplace garments would shame her new chum before the other girls. Molly did not dress in such expensive gowns as many of the girls; but her seven aunts certainly did not restrict their niece to plain clothing. Beth saw her chum’s two trunks unpacked in wonder.