“Maybe Virg is starting a joke column and is permitting Betsy to conduct it.” This from Babs who had followed Margaret into the room.
“Me? I’m no joker. I’m the most serious-minded pusson at Vine Haven.” Then tantalizingly, “If you tried till doomsday, you couldn’t guess why my name is to be featured in the biggest and best Manuscript Magazine of the year, so you might as well devote your thoughts to something easier.”
“Very well.” Megsy looked inquiringly at Virginia. “Have you heard from Winona? Is she coming here to be ready to go West with us?”
The girl addressed shook her head. “No, I’m sorry to say. Winona writes that the practical nursing courses will not be completed until the last of June and of course we cannot wait for her three weeks after our school closes. But Winona is quite capable of crossing the country alone. Anyone of us is now, I feel sure.”
“Virg,” Babs exclaimed, “what wonders you’ve worked with Sentimental Sally! She even looks different someway. Yesterday, just to tease, one of the girls who has a brother over at Drexel told her that Donald Dearing has returned to that Military Academy and that she had invited him to come to our closing party. A few months ago Sally would have acted silly, giggled or simpered or something, but instead she merely smiled indifferently and went right back on with her reference work. I was in the library at the same table and that’s how I happened to hear it.”
“There’s a lot to Sally. Her mother cares only for society and her chief desire it would seem is to have her daughter learn how to be idle gracefully. I don’t know what she will think when she finds that Sally has actually chosen a goal toward which she is working. She plays beautifully on the harp and since she will not need to earn money, she is going to plan to devote part of her time to giving harp concerts in hospitals, old folks’ homes and places where her music will bring the most happiness.” Virginia was proud of and pleased with her protege, it was quite evident.
“Betsy, you are our incorrigible member,” Megsy said to tease. “Virginia has failed to influence you for good. You’re the only one in the study club who hasn’t been inspired to choose a goal or try for the Honor Roll.”
“Me? Goodness no. I don’t want to sprout wings yet. But if you’ll produce a deep-dyed mystery of some kind, I’ll show you what I can do.”
Barbara laughed. “You remind me of the tramp who offered to shovel snow in the summer to pay for a meal.” Then catching hold of Margaret’s arm, she added, “Two bells. Time for you and me to go to French. Fare-thee-well till lunch.”
When Virginia and Betsy were alone, the latter maid grinned her delight, but suddenly there was an anxious cloud on her piquant face. “Virg,” she said, “do you think I can make it? This Latin translation is powerfully hard.” She had taken a book from her blouse where it had been hidden while her tormentors had been in the room.