“What do you mean?” gasped the dark-haired girl. “It can’t be that you——”
“That’s what I cried over,” said Mabel, with a hysterical little laugh. “I knew Mr. Diamond spoke the truth!”
Bart Hodge staggered, and Frank caught his breath, while Hattie Hazle was speechless with astonishment.
“He had a reason to think me bold,” Mabel went on, swiftly. “I gave him that reason, for didn’t I do my best to flirt with him? A girl who does anything of the sort must expect the fellows to say she is bold. I don’t blame Mr. Diamond, for I know he did not say it to harm me, and he did not dream it would reach my ears. He was right! And he taught me a lesson. Folks have called me Mabel Mischief, and I have fancied I could do just as I pleased. Now I know I must be careful, for I am no longer a little girl. I owe Mr. Diamond a debt of gratitude.”
Hattie Hazle was quite overcome.
“Why, Mabel!” she said, “do you really mean it?”
“Of course, I mean it, Hattie. For the first time in my life I understand how my carelessness may be regarded by a stranger. In the future I shall be careful.”
“And you do not hate Jack Diamond?”
“No, for he spoke the truth.”
“Well, I declare!”