"Mercy me! girls, how you do jump at conclusions! I never said a word about searching your rooms. I had no thought of such a thing! You mustn't condemn me unheard! You wouldn't like that, yourselves!"
"Indeed, we wouldn't, Mrs. Berry," cried Dolly, smiling at her. "I apologise for my burst of temper, I'm sure. But I hate to be suspected."
"Be careful, Dolly, not to be selfish. Others hate to be suspected too—"
"Yes, but I'm innocent!" cried Dolly, and as soon as she had spoken she blushed fiery red, and her sweet face was covered with confusion.
"Meaning somebody else ISN'T innocent!" spoke up Alicia; "who, please?"
"Me, probably," said Dotty, striving to turn the matter off with a laugh. "Dolly and I always suspect each other on principle—"
"Oh, pooh! This is no time to be funny!" and Alicia looked daggers at the smiling Dotty.
"You're right, Alicia, it isn't!" she flashed back, and then Mrs.
Berry's calm voice interrupted again.
"Now, girlies, don't quarrel among yourselves. There's trouble enough afoot, without your adding to it. Take my advice. Go and put on some pretty dresses and then go for a ride, as I told you, and get your tea at the 'Queen Titania' tearoom. It's just lately been opened, and it's a most attractive place. But promise not to squabble. Indeed, I wish you'd promise not to discuss this matter of the earring. But I suppose that's too much to ask!"
"Yes, indeed, Mrs. Berry," and Bernice smiled at her. "I'm sure we couldn't keep that promise if we made it!"