"Nobody, but I mean to, all the same. You deserve to be cut by the whole class, and I shan't be friends with you again."
"That's no great loss," said Muriel; "I wasn't aware that we ever were friends."
Her tone was disdainful, and the coolness of her manner contrasted strongly with Enid's excited indignation.
"But you were mean, Muriel," said Avis. "Why couldn't you introduce Patty to some of us?"
"It doesn't seem to have been necessary," replied Muriel; "you've evidently taken her up on your own account. I suppose Patty can make her friends, and I can have mine?"
"But you left her quite alone at first, with nobody to speak to," said Winnie; "it was most unkind. You weren't treated like that when you were a new girl. I remember taking you round the school myself."
"You've a better memory than I have, then," said Muriel. "I wish you'd all mind your own business. When I want to know your opinions, I'll ask for them." And she stalked out of the pantry with a very haughty look on her face, and without bestowing a glance on Patty.
"She needn't ask me to paint anything in her album, for I shan't do her even a pencil sketch!" declared Winnie.
"I wish I hadn't given her the rest of my chocolates! I wouldn't have done so if I'd known," said Avis.
"I'm glad she's not my cousin," said Enid; then, suddenly realizing that her remark was scarcely tactful, and that Patty was looking uncomfortable, she continued: "Never mind, Patty, we like you, you know. You shan't be able to say now that you haven't a friend in the school. I'm going to ask Miss Lincoln to let us each move up a little, so that you can sit next to me at dinner. I know Cissie Gardiner won't mind giving you her seat when I tell her the reason. There's the bell! I wish we could have our desks near each other, but Miss Harper won't let us change when once we've chosen places for the term. Be quick! We must fly, or we shall all lose order marks."