When the time came for the girls to leave for the Christmas holidays, Marjorie succeeded in being excused in time to make an early train; she wanted to avoid the necessity of the long ride with Ruth; it would be too embarrassing to talk about the house-party, and yet she knew Ruth would bring the subject up if she had the opportunity.
For the same reason she managed to keep away from Ruth during the holidays. Once or twice the girls met at entertainments or social gatherings, but they never were alone together.
The day for the arrival of Marjorie’s guests came, and her brother Jack, and his chum, Roger Harris, each borrowed his father’s machine, and drove down to meet the four o’clock train. Marjorie went with Jack.
“Isn’t Ruth coming over to meet the girls?” he asked as they got into the car.
“No,” answered Marjorie, without looking up.
“Why not? I always thought she was your best friend.”
“She’s one of my best friends; but you see she doesn’t belong to our sorority, so she’s not invited.”
“But there’s nothing secret about this house-party, is there?”
“No, but—oh, you wouldn’t understand, Jack—it simply wouldn’t do!”
“Well, she’s coming to the dance, isn’t she?”