Father took off his glasses and thoughtfully regarded her.
“I wasn't complaining of your not being 'smart'—'smart' people are often pests. The trouble's that this is worse than it's ever been. And today I got a letter from Professor Sutton. He says you evince no interest whatever in your work.”
Missy felt a little indignant flare within her.
“He knows what responsibilities I have!”
“Responsibilities?” repeated father.
Here mother, who had been sitting quietly by, also with a disapproving expression, entered the discussion:
“I knew all that Iolanthe and class flummery would get her into trouble.”
Flummery!
Missy's voice quavered. “That's a very important part of school life, mother! Class spirit and all—you don't understand!” “I suppose parents are seldom able to keep up with the understanding of their children,” replied mother, with unfamiliar sarcasm. “However, right here's where I presume to set my foot down. If you fail again, in the spring examinations, you'll have to study and make it up this summer. You can't go with Aunt Isabel.”
Lose the Colorado trip! The wonderful trip she had already lived through, in vivid prospect, a hundred times! Oh, mother couldn't be so cruel! But Missy's face dropped alarmingly.