“Nonsense, Isabel. We’ll feel all the more like it,” said Lilian.
“There are those who love to study, I’m told,” said Isabel, who was feeling anything but intellectual that morning, “but the only reason that I do it is that I’m ashamed to be ignorant!”
“You are certainly frank about it,” Eloise remarked with a quizzical smile.
“Then if you don’t study,” continued Isabel, saucily addressing Eloise, “you can’t enjoy the real fun, because of what hangs over your head in the way of cuts, lessons to be made up, letters home from the faculty, and term work to be repeated because of failures.”
“To hear you talk, anybody would think that you are one of those who are always on the ragged edge,” reproved Betty. “Frances, Isabel is one of the best in her classes at Greycliff.”
“Thanks, Betty, for your kind tribute, but I have learned by observation,” said Isabel loftily, “and profited by seeing the awful times the idlers have. They have to pay the bill some time, and that’s the only reason I work.”
“Isabel is just thinking with her tongue about her reasons for work,” said Virginia.
“Lots of people do that,” acknowledged Isabel, laughing.
“Unfortunately true,”—and Eloise gave Isabel a gentle push till she fell over on the grass by Cathalina, who was lying at full length.
“Don’t you wish you knew,” continued Eloise, “what they’re going to do at the banquet—and how the dining-room will be decorated,—and what the eats will be,—and how the councillors will dress up,—and who will get the prizes?”