Virginia, who had appeared in the doorway, had heard and she said: “Why, Betsy, that will leave you all alone in this big rambling old house, won’t it, for even Mrs. Martin is going and only a caretaker is to remain.”
The girl nodded and tears rolled down her cheeks, “Dad would have taken me with him had he known, but he sailed for London last week on business.” Then with April-like suddenness, she smiled through her tears and exclaimed with an effort at cheerfulness, “But there, I don’t want to sadden you all on this day which has been such a happy one. I suppose it won’t be so very terrible when I get used to it. I can read all the books in the library and—and—” the poor girl’s lips quivered, and throwing her arms about Virginia, she sobbed, “but worst of all will be nights without one of you here. I’ve tried all day to be brave, the way you would have been, Virginia, but I guess we’re made of different material.”
Virg had been thinking rapidly. “Wait here a moment,” she said. “I’ll be back in a jiff.” Then away Virginia went, leaving her companions to wonder where she was going and why. A moment later she tapped on the office door of the principal. That good woman bade her enter and Virginia said, “Mrs. Martin, would it be possible for Betsy Clossen to visit me on the V. M. Ranch during the month that her aunt’s home is quarantined?”
The older woman looked up brightly and picking up a yellow envelope, she exclaimed, “Betsy’s aunt just wired me two hundred dollars and asked me to send the little girl to some summer camp where I knew she would be well cared for and happy, but nowhere in the world would Betsy be happier, dear Virginia, than with you.” Then the principal glanced at her watch. “Do you think that you girls could help her pack and be ready for the second bus which leaves in one hour?”
“Indeed we can, Mrs. Martin, and thank you ever and ever so much. We all love Betsy and will be ever so glad to have her with us.”
When she was alone, Mrs. Martin thought. “Dear girl, it is her joy to give pleasure to others and it isn’t a pose either. It is just Virginia.”
The girls were watching the open door when they heard the feet of their returning friend dancing along the corridor.
“Virginia has some good news,” Margaret said brightly. “I can tell by the way she is skipping.”
It was indeed marvellously good news to Betsy Clossen and to the other girls who were going West. They wanted to dance in a ring around, but Virg laughingly remonstrated. “Take off your hats, Megsy and Babs, and forward march to Betsy’s room. We have fifty minutes by the clock to pack her trunk,” she commanded.
“You’d better wash your face. It’s all tear stains.” Babs looked critically at the now fairly beaming Betsy.