"She made it a hockey versus lacrosse contest, and of course we plumped for hockey," murmured Elsie Bellamy.
"Val's simply ripping at hockey!"
"Is that all you care for?" exclaimed Dorothy scornfully. "Val has nothing else to recommend her."
"Hasn't she? What about peppermint 'humbugs'? I call them a very substantial recommendation."
"Did Val give you those?"
"Rather! She put on her hat and bolted out into High Street and bought a whole pound. Lucky Miss James didn't catch her as she dodged back!"
"She's handing them round to everybody," added Helen Walker. "I wish I had taken two."
For once Dorothy's pale cheeks put on a colour. She could not restrain her indignation.
"How atrociously and abominably mean!" she burst out. "Why, it's just bribery, pure and simple. I didn't think Val was capable of such a sneaking trick. She knows quite well how unfair it is to the rest of us."
"Why, you could have done the same if you'd liked," laughed Elsie. "It's not too late now. I've a preference for caramels, if you ask me."