Nan’s vitality brought her out of the “sick bay” in a short time. She lost only a week from her books altogether. That, she told herself, did not so much matter when her time at Lakeview Hall was to be so short.
But she was faithful, and hurried to make up the lost recitations. Linda Riggs was in retirement, disgraced before the whole school. She had been obliged to publicly deny the story she had started about Nan Sherwood and the lost necklace. And, too, the necklace had been sent by registered post to Mr. Riggs with a sharp letter from Dr. Prescott reminding him that the girls of Lakeview Hall were not allowed to wear such jewelry.
Some of the girls were inclined to poke fun at Nan’s big doll, which was brought up into Room Seven, Corridor Four, and given a place of honor there. But it was gentle fun, for the whole school was sorry for Nan now. They knew that she must leave the Hall at the end of the term because of financial reverses, and the girls were beginning to find out how lovable she was, and to remember how kind she had been to everybody.
Procrastination Boggs crocheted a shawl for Beautiful Beulah and Laura Polk brought a tiny embroidered cap that fitted the doll’s head perfectly. Bess made leggings for Nan’s “child” and Gracie Mason presented a pair of fur-trimmed boots. Really, there never was so lucky a doll “baby” as Beautiful Beulah, for she had presents galore.
Nan could not refuse any of these gifts, and most of them came with funny little notes. The doll was made much of by everybody in Corridor Four. She was decked and re-decked in all the finery that came to her and many of the girls “looked in” at Room Seven every day, just to see how Nan’s “child” got along.
The girl from Tillbury began to notice that some of the biggest of them liked to hold the doll and dress and redress it; and “there was a deal of fuss,” as Mrs. Cupp said, made over the pretty blue-eyed thing.
Finally Laura had a bright idea. She suggested that a party be given in Beautiful Beulah’s honor.
“A regular, sure-enough, honest-to-goodness party!” she cried. “Why not? Everybody bring something to give the child—have a regular ‘shower’ party.”
“Goodness! haven’t we had parties enough for one term?” demanded Nan. “That one at the boathouse seemed to fill the bill.”
“Oh, nothing like that! We might not get out of it so easy again,” admitted the red-haired girl. “And, anyway, that’s ancient history. Let’s have it in the afternoon and feed ’em tea and cakes.”