The light was out and the tent was in darkness. Harriet did not know what time it was, but hearing regular breathing she decided that of course the two girls must have come in and retired without having awakened her. But as Harriet listened she recognized the voices. They were outside the tent within a yard of her head at the moment.
"To 'The Pines'?" came the question in Patricia's voice.
"Yes," replied Cora. "Charlie Collier wants me to go with him. He says he will come for me in his car. They are going to have a perfectly lovely dance at 'The Pines.'"
"Have you spoken to Mrs. Livingston?"
"She wouldn't let me go. Of what use would it be to speak to her? I'm so angry I could howl."
"What a simpleton you are, Cora Kidder," chided Patricia. "If I had an invitation to that dance and wanted to go—really were crazy to go—I'd go!"
"How?"
"Cut for it."
"You mean go without permission?"
"Of course. I'd do it just to defy her."