“In this circumstance I would. Now, as I said before, I have no intention of punishing the innocent girls with the guilty ones. Tomorrow the rest of you may come down to the sales rooms and order your machines.”
There was silence for a moment while the girls tried to control their anger, and to remember that their accuser was not only their hostess, but an aged lady as well. Marjorie, who knew that the sympathy of the whole group was with the two unfortunate girls, decided to take it upon herself to speak for the rest.
“Miss Vaughn,” she said with dignity, “it will be impossible for any of us to accept your gifts so long as you feel that you cannot take the word of two of our members. How do you know that we are not all lying?”
“That’s perfect nonsense!” cried the old lady. “Still, Miss Marjorie, I admire you for your loyalty to your troop!”
She arose with a finality that forbade further discussion, and invited the girls into the reception-room, whence strains of dance music could be heard.
Daisy, who was still silently weeping over the disgrace of such an accusation, sought Marjorie’s hand in sympathy.
“I’m going to take the first train home tomorrow morning,” she sobbed. “Even if I have to go alone! I can’t stand it a minute longer than necessary—”
“No!” thundered Marjorie, pressing her hand reassuringly. “Please don’t, Daisy!”
“But why?”
“Because I mean to stay here till I clear you and Florence of suspicion! And I shall probably need you both to be on hand to do it!”