At the tearoom they found Janet Knapp and Corinne Bell, two girls whom they had come to know very pleasantly.
"Sit here with us," called out Janet, as they entered. "We haven't ordered yet,—what do you girls want?"
"Cafe frappe for me," said Dotty, "and waffles."
"Thick chocolate and whipped cream for mine," said Alicia. "Oh, when shall I ever get these lovely things again? Think of going back to boarding-school diet!"
"Don't you have good things to eat at that nice school?" asked Dolly.
"Oh, good enough, but not lovely, fancy things like these."
"I'd like to go to boarding-school," said Janet, "but mother doesn't want me away from home. She thinks girls get no home training at those fashionable schools."
"We don't, and that's a fact," admitted Alicia. "We're taught manners and, oh, well, I s'pose it's up to the girl herself, as to what she learns. Maybe I won't go back to school, after all."
"Oh, Alicia," cried Bernice, "what do you mean?"
"Oh, nothing," and Alicia smiled as she tossed her head. "I've got a secret. I can't tell you now. Maybe you'll know soon."