“Pooh! What do I care?” scoffed Bess. “I’m wasting no tears over Linda.”
“But that lovely necklace!” cried Nan.
“It was a beauty,” admitted Laura.
“Oh! her father won’t mind. He has more money than anybody else in the world—to hear her tell it,” laughed the heartless Bess.
“She can’t help being foolish, I suppose,” added Laura.
“She showed how silly she was by wearing the necklace,” Bess declared. “Maybe a burglar saw it; and followed her home, and stole it.”
Mrs. Cupp rang her bell sharply. “Young ladies!” she exclaimed, when there was comparative silence. “Young ladies! Attention! Miss Sherwood is wanted in Dr. Prescott’s office at once.”
Many of the girls stared at Nan as she slowly arose, her breakfast partly eaten. More than one whisper went around the tables. One girl asked right out loud:
“Wonder what Dr. Prescott wants her for?”
“I know!” squealed the eager voice of one of the younger pupils. “I came right past Linda Riggs’ door, and I heard her say to Cora Courtney that she knew Nan stole that necklace!”