Patricia was speechless. What should one say under such circumstances? She shrank from the holier-than-thou attitude; yet to remain quiet might be taken as approval.
“What can we do about dry clothing for her, Miss Randall?” inquired Rhoda, saving the situation.
“I don’t know,” replied Patricia in a worried tone. “I guess I’d better drive her home to get some. It won’t take long.”
“I’d rather stay home, if you don’t mind,” said Clarice, drying her eyes.
“Why?”
“Oh, because.”
“It would be just as well if she’d take a hot bath and go right to bed,” advised Rhoda. “Shall I come, too, to help you?”
“Oh, no,” said Clarice quickly. “I’ll be all right.”
“And you’ll do as Rhoda suggests?” asked Patricia.
Clarice nodded and went toward Patricia’s car, while Patricia said to Rhoda in a low tone: “If any of the girls come back while I’m gone, tell them Clarice didn’t feel very well and I took her home. No point in letting them in on poor Clarice’s story.”