Polly laughed, too, reminded of the ridiculous sight. Then she sighed. “I was awfully disappointed,” she went on. “For a minute, when Miss Carpenter told me to stay, I thought I just couldn’t stand it. I didn’t dare look at Patricia, for fear I’d cry.”

“Don’t see what she had to do with it!” growled David.

“Why, I was going home with Patricia right after school. Mrs. Illingworth had invited me to tea.”

“M-m!” responded David

“I want you to know Patricia,” Polly continued; “she’s such a dear girl.”

“Must be!” he retorted sarcastically. “So kind to go off and leave invited company as she did! She never waited a minute!”

“Well, but, David, what good would it have done? They board, you know, and couldn’t wait tea for me.”

“M-m,” remarked David.

“I don’t see why you feel so about Patricia,” Polly began.

“I haven’t any use for a girl broncho-buster!” he broke out.