CHAPTER VI
DEBBIE DESERTS
Billy Bradley really tried to be cheerful in the days that followed, but try as she would she could not altogether keep out the vision of Three Towers Hall, the boarding school to which she had wanted to go ever since—well, almost since she had wanted anything.
Laura and Violet would go without her. They would have to go, even in spite of their loyal determination not to. Their parents would have something to say about that.
And Chet was in just as bad a fix, for Boxton Military Academy had been his dream even as Three Towers Hall had been Billie's. Oh, if only they could all go what a wonderful time they could have! Oh, well—
And Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, sensing something of all this, were very unhappy and cast about desperately for some way to give their boy and girl the advantages that the others would have. But money was very tight. Mr. Bradley had all his cash tied up in several real estate transactions.
So for a little while the Bradleys were not a happy family—although they tried bravely not to show it, even to each other.
Then one morning came a long, businesslike envelope, with a typewritten address, that caused a stir in the family circle.
Mrs. Bradley opened it with a puzzled frown between her brows, then uttered a startled exclamation.
"What is it, dear?" asked Mr. Bradley, while Billie and Chet crowded closer to her chair.