Evidently there was, somewhere about the building, an emergency alarm. Betsy wanted Magdalene to wait until the building was quiet and dark and then set it off. Mimi remembered all the stories of panic she had heard; how people jumped out windows, trampled each other, fainted from fright. Chloe might faint, and in spite of the resentment she had felt toward Chloe for being forced on her, she was beginning to love her. She loved her so much she didn’t want her badly frightened. Poor Mrs. Cole. She had had a miserable week getting things organized and running.
“What to do?”
By the time Mimi had made up her mind that the alarm must not ring tonight, supper was over and she was seated in study hall. “I’ll ask permission to speak to Betsy and tell her I know.” No. She couldn’t do that. She wouldn’t have time to explain all her reasons and Betsy might think she was a sissy. Besides, she was afraid Betsy didn’t like her much anyhow.
Suppose she spoke to Magdalene? She didn’t know her well enough to interfere. Suppose she told Mrs. Cole? That would only get the two would-be culprits in trouble. Mimi had already heard how you received long campus sentences for even small offenses. They might be sent home for this prank. Besides, she couldn’t be a tattletale.
Tick-tock-tick-tock——
The hands of the study hall clock were getting around too fast. Before she chose her course of action, study hall was over. Gathering up her books, which had been open before her but unread, she started after Betsy and Magdalene who were strolling down the hall together.
Dit detained her. She came striding down from College corridor, one hand in the pocket of her big white sweater with the green letter, the other holding a list she was carefully scanning.
“Mimi, you are on number one soccer squad and number one tennis club.” Everything had a number. “That doesn’t mean team but it means a good chance. Report at two-twenty tomorrow.”
“Oh thanks, Dit. Thanks a lot.”
“Where’s Betsy?”