“Of course. She’s going off with us to-night,” said Madeline. “We thought it was no more than decent to take her—considering that she’s a ‘Merry Heart’ and that we’ve got to make up to her for all the jollying she’ll get next year.”
Just then Rachel, Katherine and Babbie appeared and fell upon Betty and there were explanations from both parties and a joyous interchange of congratulations.
“Won’t the others be sorry they went home this noon,” declared Katherine, “just in time to miss all these fine doings.”
“And won’t Mary Brooks be wild to think she can’t go with us to-night to help amuse Georgia,” said Bob.
“Here comes Mary now,” said Rachel.
“Oh, Betty Wales, I am so proud of you,” cried Mary, breathlessly, dropping her diploma to hug Betty more effectively.
“It wasn’t I, Mary,” protested Betty. “Rachel was too bad. Oh, please don’t act so, girls, and come away before any one else gets here. Mary, Georgia has come.”
Mary’s bewilderment and then her chagrin were delightful to behold.
“If there is anything in the world that I’d cut my own class-supper for,” she declared, “it would be to see Georgia Ames. But I can’t even wait now to meet her. I have a toast to write. ‘Be funny, Mary,’ the toast mistress said. As if anybody could be funny at her own class-supper! Don’t be back too late to serenade us.”