“You want to ask Mr. Richards, don’t you?” The question was fired like a shot, and it startled Marjorie, all the more because the idea had never entered her head.
“I never thought of him, Lil. I don’t believe that he dances.”
“Still, you could call him up and find out.”
“I wouldn’t have the nerve. I wouldn’t admit to him that I was planning to go to a dance on a scout night. He might not think I was in earnest about my troop, and I don’t want to antagonize him—I may need his help again.”
“Well, then, you’ll have to dig up some of your old friends. You’re suffering now because you’ve neglected them for the scouts.”
“I’m not actually suffering!” denied Marjorie. “Because I won’t feel so dreadful if I do have to stay home.”
“Naturally,—without John——”
“Stop it, Lil! I positively won’t stand any more teasing without revenge! I’ll pay you back!”
“You wouldn’t dare!” laughed Lily. “Now I’m going into the other room, to leave you alone to think. You’ll have to decide upon somebody tonight.”
But the more Marjorie thought about it, the less she liked the idea. It had been several years since she had attended a class affair without John Hadley, and she knew that a change would cause comment. Moreover, she admitted it to herself, though she would not have to anyone else,—she really did not care to go without him. “Brothers are more critical than anyone else.”