“No, only some shopping down town with Mother. I could put that off. She has a lot of things to do for Dick and Doris.”
“You might get your shopping done in the morning, perhaps. I’ll tell you what cars to take, though it might be that Carolyn could come for you, or somebody call for you in their car.”
“Oh, I could get there, I think, if it is not too far from the car line. I’m getting used to going around now.”
“It isn’t so easy sometimes, even for those of us that have always lived here, and our fathers and mothers like to be careful of us, of course.”
“Will there be a large party? I might meet some of the girls somewhere, wherever you have to change cars.”
“Yes, probably you could. Why, I think that there will be all our crowd and some others we don’t see so much of, real nice girls, you know.”
Betty was glad to be included in “our crowd,” but there was no further opportunity for conversation. Boys and girls were pouring into the different entrances of the auditorium, seeking their regular seats, which had been assigned.
“Oh, look!” exclaimed Peggy. “We’re going to have the band! Say, don’t they look fine in their uniforms? Well, ’bye–sorry I can’t sit by you.”
The high school band did look resplendent. As Betty took her seat they struck up a lively popular air and played it through while the school was assembling. They were on the platform, where the principal stood beside a chair, probably thinking that his presence would have more effect if he stood. And the presence of the dignified principal always did have a calming effect. No nonsense or disrespect was ever shown to him, for the very good reason that he would not tolerate it. A school of this size, and a city school, with its variety of composition, called for no weakness in the men and women who had charge of its discipline, though in this school all due consideration was given to the rights and needs of its pupils.
It was a pretty scene. Betty was glad that she sat on the end of one row of seats, for she could see so much better. Eagerly she leaned forward, not to miss any part of scene or action. But before they were seated, they all turned as usual, at the signal from the principal, to salute the flag, whose bright stripes and stars showed at the principal’s right. Already the pupils were trained to say in excellent unison the phrases which pledged them to the flag of their country and that “for which it stands.” Together they made the right gestures at the right time and Betty had not gotten over feeling thrilled to be a part of so great a company, or over the patriotic tie that made them one.