Blue Bonnet and Carita had been interrupted in the packing of their suitcases for a week-end at Woodford, by Annabel Jackson, who had stepped in Blue Bonnet's room to return a dress. Her presence had caused Carita to let slip a bit of gossip prevalent in the school.
Carita squeezed a waist into the last bit of space her suitcase afforded, and turned to Blue Bonnet.
"Oh, what do you ask me for, Blue Bonnet? I don't like to tell you—really I don't! What's the use? Oh, dear, I wish I hadn't dropped that hint. I didn't mean to—it just slipped out."
"Go on. Tell me."
Carita sighed deeply.
"It's just gossip. Like enough there isn't a word of truth in it."
"Never mind. Tell me."
"All right, then: Mary Boyd says that Annabel Jackson is a perfect little toady—that she always finds out if a girl has money and nice clothes and things, before she has anything to do with her. She says Annabel has found out that you have a great deal of money, and that's one reason she's so nice to you."
"But I haven't a great deal of money—not to spend here, anyway. I haven't any bigger allowance than Annabel has—or Sue, for that matter!"
"Yes, but it's got out about your ranch; that you have a lot coming to you some day—and—and that you brought me here—that you're paying my way—"