“And she sent you a note of thanks, and attended the meeting in the person of her better half,” said Madeline.
“Then I am the only delinquent,” sighed Katherine, “and I promised to do something startling before long.”
Her opportunity came that very evening. On her way home to the Westcott she met little Alice Waite, in great distress because she had two men on her hands for the Glee Club Concert.
“I asked one of them away back last summer,” Alice explained, “and he was coming, but last week he found that he couldn’t, so I asked the other. To-day the first one telegraphed that he should be here after all, and the second one wrote that he should be delighted to come. It’s dreadfully stupid, entertaining two men who are strangers to each other, and it’s so late that all the girls I know have men of their own. Have you one, K.?”
“No,” said Katherine, “I’m happy to say that I haven’t. Men frighten me to death.”
“Oh, do take one of mine,” begged Alice.
Katherine was obdurate. “I love you, gentle Alice, but not to that extent,” she said. Then she had a sudden inspiration, and recklessly she made use of it. “But I know a girl who’ll take your extra man,” she went on. “She’s a freshman, but she’s awfully clever and amusing. Her name is Georgia Ames.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of her,” cried Alice eagerly. “I was over at the Westcott the night some lovely violets were sent there for her by mistake. She must be awfully popular. How do you know she hasn’t a man of her own?”
“Because I do,” said Katherine sturdily.
“But I don’t know her,” objected Alice.