"Hush, Dol! The girls passing might hear you."
"What if they did?"
"Oh, I wouldn't for the world!"
"Pray, why not?" with a show of indignation.
"We never talk of making money at Wellington," said Marian, when a group of passing girls faded out of earshot.
"I don't see why not. I am sure less important things are talked of," persisted the tantalizing Dolorez.
"But, Dol, you don't seem to understand. We all have a rating here, and we could not get here without it. We are not in the money-making class--not that such are inferior to us," Marian hastened to add, "but because our social standing is supposed to be fixed outside of trade."
A grating, mocking laugh followed this explanation. Evidently Dolorez Vincez had no such notion of correct social standing. She was plainly getting on Marian's nerves.
"I hope we will not get into trouble on account of to-night's affair," Marian said. "I really begin to fear trouble," she sighed again.
Another mocking titter answered this.