After luncheon Patty took possession of Lorraine and carried her up to her own room.
“What in the world are you doing at home to-day?” she demanded.
“First, what are you doing at home to-day?” responded Lorraine.
Had it not been for Lorraine’s peculiar expression, and quizzical looks, Patty might have thought she had stayed at home for reasons in no way connected with the general prize. But the girl’s embarrassment and flustered air made Patty wonder if they weren’t both actuated by the same motive.
“Look here, Lorraine Hamilton,” she said, going straight to the point; “did you hear what Flossy Fisher overheard Miss Oliphant say?”
“Why, what do you mean?” asked Lorraine, temporising.
“You know very well what I mean. Did you?”
“Why, Flossy told me that she heard Miss Oliphant say that you and I were even in our markings. But what of that?”
“And you stayed home to-day,” said Patty, grabbing Lorraine by the shoulders, and looking her straight in the eyes, “you stayed home to-day so that I might get ahead of you!”
Lorraine’s eyes opened wider. A sudden thought had struck her.