Dolly looked so jubilant, so already victorious, that Dotty hadn’t the heart to express further doubt. And too, Dotty had great faith in Dolly’s powers of success when she set to work in earnest. And she surely was very much in earnest now.
“Aren’t you going to tell Trudy or your mother?”
“No; nobody at all but you. Maybe I’ll tell Bert, when he comes home for Thanksgiving. He could help me.”
“I can help you! I mean, I will, if you’ll tell me what to do.”
“Indeed you can help me, Dot. I couldn’t do it at all without your help. See here, you don’t understand yet. If Bernice makes her father do this thing, it’ll be because she herself wants me to stay in Berwick. And here’s why. Because,—if Bernice does what I want her to, I’m going to make her the most popular girl in town!”
CHAPTER XV
DOLLY AND BERNICE
Dolly went alone to see Bernice. She had wanted Dotty with her for aid and sympathy, but on thinking it over, she decided it would be better to go alone first.
The Forbes house was impressive, the man who opened the door to Dolly’s ring was awe-inspiring, but of these things Dolly was not afraid. Her fear was that she would not be able to present in the most persuasive way, the strange matter on which she had come.
When Bernice came into the reception room, she found Dolly so deep in thought she scarcely heard her.
“Hello, Dolly Fayre,” said the hostess, looking at her inquiringly. “What do you want?”