“Yes, it would. I’ll see Hope some time this afternoon, Shirley, and report before dinner.” Caroline ran out with her books, while Madge and Shirley started out on their way downstairs, for it was nearly time for the gong.
CHAPTER XIV.
“MUCH ADO.”
“Yes, Irma,” said Sidney, sitting in the study shortly after dinner. “Considering the fact that there were about half a dozen witch costumes last night, the decision of the judges that Shirley Harcourt’s costume was the most original was nothing short of ridiculous. But that would not annoy me at all. What I feel provoked about is that those girls so evidently made it up to get me to wear the same sort of suit that Shirley did. I couldn’t get much out of Hope, when I asked her again about it; but she certainly told me that Caroline described a costume that would be just the thing for me!”
“I can scarcely believe it, Sidney. Shirley Harcourt is not that sort of a girl; and if Caroline suggested it, I don’t see that it involves Shirley at all.”
“Oh, all right, Irma. But I think what I think. My, how cold it is tonight! I wanted to go down to the lake, but there is frost in the air and the wind is unpleasant.”
“You must be taking cold, Sidney. I was out and did not notice it at all.”
A light knock came at the door of the study. Irma went to the door and opening it, found Shirley Harcourt there. “Why, how do you do, Shirley; come in,” Irma said.
Soberly Shirley entered with a return of Irma’s greeting. Hesitant she stood within the room, seeing the girl in the pretty, blue negligé, who sat on the other side of a central table. Sidney had just had time to turn her back before Shirley came in. “I wanted to speak to Sidney Thorne just a moment, Irma,” Shirley continued. “I had reason to think this morning that I had offended her and I want to ask her what is the matter. I am very willing to apologize, if I have done anything, without knowing it.”
Shirley paused and looked at the shining hair, one well-shaped ear, and a cheek fair and pink with only the natural tints of youth. But Sidney made no move.
Irma stood quietly. She knew that it must have taken an effort on Shirley’s part to say that she was willing to apologize. But Sidney, listening, thought that Shirley knew well enough. She had not yet been addressed. She would not turn around until she was.