"Of course, she would!" said Dotty, indignantly. "She didn't want us to think she was lost or worry about her safety."
"She was most considerate," said Fenn, sarcastically.
"Oh, stop!" cried Dotty, at the very end of her patience with the man.
"You're enough to drive any one distracted!"
"Let the child alone, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes; "your manner IS irritating."
"The whole affair is irritating," returned the secretary, "but it is now in a way to be cleared up, I think. We shall hear from Miss Fayre's parents, I'm sure."
"What IS going on?" spoke up Alicia from the doorway, and she and
Bernice came into the room. "I know we're forbidden up here, but
Dotty's here, so we came, too. What's the matter?"
"Dolly's gone home," said Mr. Forbes, looking at his nieces.
"Dolly has!" exclaimed Bernice. "What for?"
"Because she was persecuted!" Dotty replied, "and unjustly accused, and suspected, and her life made generally miserable! I don't blame her for going home! I'm going, too."
"When did she go? Who took her?" Alicia asked.