“‘Divided we fall,’” Mimi quoted. “What does that make me? Nothing, absolutely nothing. I won’t join either!”
“Good for you,” cried Betsy to their amazement. “You’ll be the first Prep who ever had courage enough to refuse. I am proud to know you. Whatta’ girl!” Then realizing she belonged herself she added, “Not a word of what I said goes outside this suite.”
“Not one word,” agreed three voices.
It was their first four-sided secret. For the first time they were close together.
Mimi felt quite important and lady-of-the-worldish as she sat down and wrote two notes of refusal.
Sue found her pen. Chloe took the stopper out of the ink bottle. Betsy offered two sheets and two envelopes of her special stationery with the Sheridan crest.
“I’d better write it with a pencil first and then copy it,” Mimi suggested. “Now just what does one say?”
They went into a huddle. After much erasing and scratching out and rewording, Mimi made two copies of the following note. It sounded sophisticated and mysterious. She really did not know what mysterious was until later, when she found out about Chloe. But not stating any reason for declining the bids seemed very mysterious. Changing only the headings, Mimi copied.
“Dear ——:
“You were so kind to ask me to join your splendid club. For various reasons, it is impossible to accept. Believe me, that I am grateful and flattered that you ask me. Accept my regrets.