Betty was glad of this explanation. She had tried to choke back an ugly little suspicion that this gift might be a part of Eugenia’s campaign to “make herself known,” by having her father’s name linked with Mr. Morton’s as a benefactor of Harding. Now she was reassured on that point, and she thanked Eugenia again, trying to make her feel how much the money would accomplish.
“I suppose that’s so,” Eugenia agreed, “and we shan’t any of us miss it. Lots of the girls could give away more than they do, Miss Wales, only they never think of it.”
“It’s the same way about helping the ones who are rather left out to have some good times,” Betty put in eagerly. “It doesn’t take much effort or time from your own fun, and it means such a lot to them.”
“Yes,” Eugenia agreed soberly. “I’m going to try to be more like that next year. It’s horrid to be as snippy as most of our crowd are. Some awfully nice girls are left out of things for one reason or another. We should all have more fun, I guess, if we all had it,” ended Eugenia rather obscurely. “Good-bye, Miss Wales, until next fall.”
Betty was wondering busily whether she should be back next fall, for mother had just written that father’s business was improving fast and that he hoped to have the family together again soon, when the supper committee appeared to inquire about the shape of the 19— table and to consult the president about the seating arrangements. Betty was deep in the problem of how to get all the speakers on one side of the table and yet not separate them from their friends, when a strange gentleman walked in and came straight up to Betty’s desk.
“Miss Wales?” he inquired in businesslike tones.
“I am Miss Wales.” Betty stood up behind the desk, and Kate Denise and the rest withdrew to a window until the man should have finished his business with Betty.
“My name is Smith,” he went on. “I represent Furbush, a Boston antique shop. You’ve heard of it, I presume?”
Betty had not heard of Furbush’s.
“Well, that’s not vital,” Mr. Smith told her smilingly, “because we buy on a cash basis, so it’s not a question of our credit. I should have said that I’m up here buying old furniture. I heard you had a rather good desk that you might like to sell, and some pieces of brass.”