"Oh, we're so glad you and Nancy have—"
"Just a moment Miss Vane, until you have been properly presented," Miss Fenler said, in a cold, precise manner.
"But I've always known Dorothy—"
"That makes no difference," the assistant said, and she presented them in formal manner.
Vera raised her eyebrows, presented the tips of her fingers, and told Dorothy in a high, squeaky voice that she was very glad to know her. Elf did the same in an exact copy of Vera's manner.
Several of the pupils giggled, but to their credit, Dorothy and Nancy managed not to laugh.
When a half-dozen girls had been presented, some one told Miss Fenler that Mrs. Marvin wished to see her, and what had begun in a stilted manner, became a genuine girl's social.
When the clock in the hall chimed six, and they turned toward the long dining-room, the two new pupils had already made the acquaintance of several girls, who sat beside, and opposite them at the table.
From a distant table Patricia and Arabella were turning to attract their attention.
It had happened that Arabella had chosen to remain in her room during the half-hour reunion.