“There’s a big bump on my forehead,” said Rachel, sitting up in bed with a faint smile. “I’m sure of that because it aches.”
“Poor lady!” Betty turned to Katherine. “You got your chance, didn’t you? I felt it in my bones that you would. Wasn’t it all splendid?”
“Yes indeed,” assented the contestants heartily.
“It made me feel so energetic,” Betty went on eagerly. “Of course I felt proud of you and of 19–, just as I did at the rally, but there was something else, too. You’ll see me going at things next term the way T. Reed went at that ball.”
“You’re one of the most energetic persons I know, as it is,” said Rachel, smiling at her earnestness.
“Yes,” said Betty impatiently. “I fly around and make a great commotion, but I fritter away my time, because I forget to keep my eyes on the ball. Why, I haven’t done anything this year.”
Katherine pulled Betty down beside her on the couch. “Child, you’ve done a lot,” she said. “We were just considering all you’ve done, and wondering why you weren’t asked to usher to-day. You’ve sub-subed a lot and you know so many girls on the team and are such good friends with Jean Eastman.”
To her consternation Betty felt a hot flush creeping up her neck and over her cheeks. It had been the one consolation in the trouble with Eleanor that none of the Chapin house girls had asked any questions or even appeared to notice that anything was wrong.
“Oh, I don’t know Miss Eastman much,” she said quickly. “And as for substituting on the subs, that was a great privilege. That wasn’t anything to make me an usher for.”
“Well, all the other girls who did it much ushered,” persisted Katherine. “Christy Mason and Kate Denise and that little Ruth Ford. And you’d have made such a stunning one.”