“I never heard anything so nice,” declared Roberta, eagerly. “How did you ever think of doing it?”
Madeline gave a characteristic shrug of indifference. “Oh, I just happened to.”
“And doesn’t any one else know about her?”
“No one else.”
“What a lovely secret to be in! Are you ever going to tell Dr. Eaton?”
“Perhaps I may some time, or I may let it run along until midyears. Of course he’s bound to find out then that there’s no such person, for he’ll have to send his lists to the registrar’s office and there’s no fooling Miss Stuart. I thought it might be amusing to keep quiet till then, and see how he’d take it.”
Roberta looked disappointed. “Then Georgia Ames can only live till midyears. Well,” she added, brightening, “there’s a lot of time left before that, and, since she can’t live long, you must make her live fast, Madeline. Why, I can think of hundreds of lovely things you might do with her!”
“I know it,” said Madeline. “She certainly has splendid possibilities. Don’t you remember our talk about second selves? But you see I’ve rather lost interest in her, because I’m so dreadfully busy. Betty was right about second selves being more bother than help. I really haven’t the leisure to manage Georgia.”
“Oh, dear, what a splendid time you must have!” sighed Roberta. “I can’t imagine being too busy to manage a second self.”