“I am going to try, I think, because I want a good record, although I suppose I will go to the Academy anyhow, for aunt Em has promised I should.”
“Suppose you should get it and I not!” cried Elizabeth. “It would be the most heart-rending tragedy.”
Betsy looked at her with startled eyes. “Oh Elizabeth,” she said. “I never thought of that. Maybe I will not try after all.”
“Oh, but you must if you want to. I should not be satisfied to have anyone make a sacrifice for me.”
“I suppose it will have to be as aunt Em and uncle Rob say,” returned Betsy thoughtfully. “If they insist upon it I shall have to, I suppose.”
So the matter was disposed of and the two went back into the schoolroom the more eager over their studies than before.
Elizabeth was a bright scholar and Betsy was not far behind. They both stood on a par with one or two of the older girls, and felt that they had good reasons for thinking they could compete with them. Elizabeth poured forth her news at home with all her usual exuberance. Betsy reported it more quietly.
“Elizabeth, if you don’t do your level best,” cried Kathie, “I shall want to shake you.”
“I shall not only want to shake myself,” replied Elizabeth, “but I shall want to hide my undiminished head in solitary places.”
“And if you do get it, what then?” asked Kathie, laughing.