“And, anyway,” Laura had said in one of their discussions, “the blood stains on that handkerchief might not have meant anything mysterious at all. Maybe somebody had a nose-bleed.”
“How romantic!” drawled Rose while the other girls giggled at the idea.
Their studies and the race for prizes absorbed the classmates in the days that followed and gradually the mystery, if indeed it was a mystery, faded from their minds.
Billie worked hard, and thought she was getting along finely. She commenced to grow a trifle pale, and at this Vi and Laura shook their heads.
“Don’t overdo it, Billie,” said Vi.
“No kind of prize is worth one’s health,” added Laura.
“Don’t worry about me,” declared Billie, with a smile. “I know what you want to do—make me let up so you can pass me.”
“Oh, you know better than that!” cried Laura.
“Of course she does,” came from Vi. “Now remember, don’t study so hard that you get sick.”
“No danger,” retorted Billie airily.