“Oh—well!” Bess drawled, pouting.
For the first time in her life Nan Sherwood felt that a friend was disloyal to her—in appearance, if not actually. She realized that Bess must have been put in an exceedingly mortifying position in the dining car when she found she was without money with which to pay her check; and Miss Riggs may have been quite accommodating to offer to pay. Nan, however, could not imagine herself in her chum’s situation, accepting the offer.
Bess needed only to wait until the first half of the train backed down to the rear half, when she could either have found her mislaid bag, or got the money for her lunch from Nan.
And then—to be so eager to continue the acquaintanceship with the uncivil girl! That was what pointed the dart.
“I don’t care!” said the pouting Bess, at last. “I’ve got to pay her the forty-five cents. She’ll think it funny.”
“Pay her by all means,” Nan said, striving not to show how hurt she was.
Bess briskly went up the aisle at this permission; but she did not return for an hour or more. Linda Riggs’ conversation evidently quite charmed shallow, thoughtless Bess.
CHAPTER VI
HOW IT FEELS TO BE A HEROINE
Bess Harley came back to her chair facing Nan’s quite full of a brand new subject of conversation.