“Yes.”
“We’ve been hoping, Dorothy, that you would like to wear one, too, and join us, you and Jane.”
“That would be very nice, Lilian,” replied Dorothy slowly. “Do you mean that I am invited to join?”
“Not only invited, but urged!” Lilian was disappointed at Dorothy’s hesitation, which was unlike her, but just then she caught sight of Jane and ran to call her, leaving Dorothy to think the matter over. As they walked toward Dorothy she explained her errand to Jane. Jane looked brighter and more pleased than Dorothy, but shook her head. “I’m afraid we can’t,” she said. Lilian went on to explain a little.
“You know that it is only a club of rather intimate friends, no dues, only the expense of the pins, and Cathalina gets special rates on them, and we meet when we feel like it. We girls like you two so much that we thought we would like to have you with us. But if you do not want to go into it, it wouldn’t be best.”
Dorothy looked at Jane. “Now, Lilian,” said she, “it is very embarrassing to refuse an invitation like this. I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate your wanting us. I didn’t dream of your doing it, or—well, I don’t see how I’m going to explain, do you, Jane?”
“You see, Dorothy is president of the class,—”
“You can’t explain without telling what we ought not,” interrupted Dorothy. “Just tell the girls, Lilian, if this invitation is official, that we appreciate it beyond words, but can’t.”
“And we are very sorry, indeed,” replied Lilian. “I am sure that they all will be very much disappointed.” With smiles and a wave of the hand she left them and went slowly upstairs, wondering.
“Have a piece of hot fudge, Lilian,” called Isabel, as she entered the room. “How soon do we initiate?”