"Worse, probably," Lois consoled her.
Eleanor and Evelin came down with it the next day. After that there were no more cases. Fortunately, it did not spread throughout the school. Perhaps some of the girls were disappointed, for the stories of the good time in the Infirmary made school seem very stupid by comparison.
One day Miss King brought Betty a note from Angela. It was wrapped around a copy of the Gossip, the Whitehead school paper.
"Dear Mumpy (she wrote):
"Read the news item on page ten. I think it's funny. If you want to answer it in our issue of the Tatler this month, send me word what to say, and I'll see to it. Hurry up and get well. We all miss you lots, especially in Latin class. Love to the rest.
"Ange."
Betty opened the paper at the tenth page and read:
Important News Item.
"Sudden disappearance of valuable mump germs. Last seen in a silver trophy cup on or about February twenty-fifth. Seddon Hall basket ball team under suspicion of theft, but no arrests have been made. Any information regarding same will be gratefully received."
"That settles it." Betty stopped reading to laugh. "We took their mump germs with a vengeance.