Carolyn sat not far away, in front of Betty, and as soon as they were seated she leaned back to nod at Betty and form with her lips the words, “I want to see you after this.”
Betty nodded her understanding. She was going to be invited to the garden party, she thought. But what was the principal saying? He sat down, after making a few announcements and handing the conduct of the meeting over to some boy, whom Betty supposed the president of the Boys’ Athletic Association, though she had not caught the last words of the principal. The program was not so different from that of the meetings which Betty had attended in the little school at home, when there was a general gathering in honor of athletics, but oh, how much bigger everything was.
The band was several times as large, and how well they played! It must be something to learn to play in a city where there is a symphony orchestra, Betty thought. Ambition stirred. She just must belong to one of the musical organizations of the school, some time if not now!
Now the yell leader performed, leading the school in different yells for the team and school. Betty’s face was one wide smile. These were new and funny yells. The team had to come forward and some speeches where made. Some of the boys were shy and awkward; others, used to it, said their say with greater freedom. Some funny expressions were used. Betty thought of how they must grate on the ears of her strict English teacher who had been particularly severe in regard to slang at their last recitation. What would she say if she heard some of the things that Betty had been surprised to hear girls say, girls that seemed to be nice and were undoubtedly attractive? Such girls in the village at home were not welcomed to intimate friendship and as a rule belonged to a class careless and unrefined at home.
Little thoughts like these ran through Betty’s young head as she applauded with the rest and tried the yells, such fun to say; though she did not know some of them. But they were easy to get, “crazy” as they were. But the wilder the better, when it comes to athletics, or so the modern rooters seem to think. The band indulged in funny little crashes at quick signals from the yell leader. Betty, with one eye on the principal, saw him smile occasionally. All this was allowed; but, after all, it was an orderly performance, if wildly enthusiastic. “My, they all know how to do it, don’t they?” she said to Carolyn, who joined her on their way from the auditorium.
“Yes, but they wouldn’t I guess if they didn’t have people in charge that won’t stand for any nonsense. Got your Latin all out?”
“Yes, though I’m shaky on some of it. It’s terribly hard for me to memorize. If she didn’t have us go over it so much I’d never get it.”
“That’s what teachers are for, I suppose,” laughed Carolyn. “But what I wanted to see you about was this: I want to have a garden party while the weather’s nice, so I’m asking everybody for Saturday–just informal invitations, you know, not the way my big sister does when she gives a party! Can you come? We’ll have a picnic dinner outdoors, unless the weather does something awful. But it’s pretty dry and I don’t believe it will rain. We had such a lot of rain last week and our flowers are so pretty now. Please come.”
“Why, I’d just love to, Carolyn, and I think it’s nice of you to ask me. I don’t know of any reason why I can’t come. I’ll ask Mother tonight and let you know sure tomorrow. It’s practically sure, though, because I can do what I like Saturday afternoon.”
“All right, Betty. I’ll expect you. I’ll give you the address and tell you how to get there when I have time.”