Shirley looked at Irma, but Irma, puzzled and annoyed, did not know what to do. She started to speak and then stopped, and Shirley, wishing that she had not come, smiled at Irma as she opened the door again, stepping outside. “It was a mistake to come, I see,” said Shirley. “Thank you, Irma; good night.”
Irma closed the door and without a word to Sidney went into the bedroom which she and Edith occupied. There she moved around for some time before coming into the study again. Taking the same chair by the table which she had occupied before Shirley knocked, she resumed her study. With the ringing of the gong for study hours to begin, Fleta and Edith came in, full of life, hoping that they didn’t interrupt, but it was most important to tell the latest news, that the “Water Nymph” was going to be married at the Christmas Holidays.
It was a relief to Irma when they came. She was not enjoying her silent companion, though silence was better than speech if speech should take up the subject of the call. But Sidney knew that for once in her life, at least, she had been discourteous. Of that Irma very likely disapproved. She would say nothing. It was a relief to her, as well, when the other girls joined them.
Shirley had found that Hope had little recollection of what she had said to Sidney. “Why, Caroline,” she replied to Caroline’s questions, “I was trying to help Sidney about her decision. I remembered your describing a cute one, and I had the impression that it was one you had seen somewhere. I knew that you were wearing something else. So I told Sidney about the painted cats. Mercy, what have I done? I never even thought of it that night, for we had witches in the senior stunt and I supposed that it was Sidney’s idea, though I did hear her say that she would not have a part in the performance.”
“It’s just that Sidney may think Shirley had some hand in it. I only want to let you know that Shirley did not even know that Madge had shown me the costume when she did.”
“If you want me to say something to Sidney,—” Hope began.
“Not yet, Hope, and perhaps not at all. Haven’t you heard Sidney say a word?”
“I have scarcely seen Sidney at all. I can’t quite understand,—did you say that Sidney has been blaming you girls for her having something just like Shirley’s?”
“Hope, you dear little goose! You are too broad-minded yourself to take all this in. Just keep quiet about it. If we call you in as witness, tell the truth!”
“I certainly can do that, Cad. I wish that Sidney weren’t quite so proud.”