CHAPTER IX
WINONA’S DECISION
When Virginia returned to Vine Haven, she found the girls in the library for the mid-morning free half hour. As soon as Mrs. Martin had closed the door of her study, they flocked about their favorite begging her to tell them just what happened. Betsy taking their president by the arm led her into the long attractive room where the walls were lined with books, pictures and small statues.
“We were sure you’d be coming back about now,” Sally said as she skipped along by the side of her beloved one, “and so we have been poking the fire to keep it bright.”
Betsy teased. “Sally hasn’t much faith in those furs that she loaned you. She has been so afraid that you would come home frozen, it being so cold today.”
“I wasn’t cold,” Virg turned a grateful glance at the doll-like girl who was always hovering near her, “but I know someone who was.”
“My goodness me, it couldn’t have been Mrs. Martin,” Betsy declared. “She was almost hidden in that adorable long fur coat of hers. It must have cost a million dollars, unless her grandfather was a seal diver.”
“They don’t dive to catch seals,” Megsy said, correctingly. “You’re thinking of pearls.”
Sally giggled. “I’d hate to wear a string of pearls instead of a fur boa on a day like this.”
“But enlighten us; who was cold in your party?” Barbara brought the subject back to its point of digression.
“Micky was, and that set me to thinking of our plan. You know we said, since we are so grateful to him for having come out in that bitterly cold storm the other night to rescue us, that we would chip together and buy him something. Well, I believe the thing he needs most is a warm winter overcoat.”