Marquis was honestly curious by this time. “Not Bess Bartlett?”
“And why not? You needn’t speak in that disgusted tone. Bess has changed since you saw her. That trouble she got into just brought her to her senses, Quis. You know she was always bright enough, only she didn’t care, and when she found herself suspended that time, things looked serious for the first time in her life. You ought to see the good work she’s been doing this year. We call her ‘teacher’s pet’ nowadays!”
“Bess Bartlett teacher’s pet! Say, what is this occasion, to-night, Jack? A round-up of black sheep? Clarence Mullen and Bess Bartlett! And I suppose Bess’s reform has all come since she broke loose from the iniquitous sorority?”
“Don’t tease about that, Quis—you mustn’t! It was no joke for Bess to take off her pin. I s’pose you think ’twas just foolish?” There was a pleading note in Jacquette’s voice, and Marquis met it seriously.
“N—no; perhaps not, Jack. I’ve modified my ideas about that. Of course I think fraternities are all right, but—well, it may turn out that sororities aren’t the best thing in the world for girls. There, now, calm yourself! Don’t you begin to argue that!”
“But it’s so unreasonable! I tell you, Quis——”
“Tell me not in mournful numbers! I tell you it’s Christmas Eve. Say, what do you think of Louise? Stunning?”
“Beautiful as ever. Have you just discovered her?”
He shrugged his shoulders and tried to look unconcerned.
“I’ve discovered that Bobs Drake has less discrimination than I gave him credit for. Bess Bartlett!”