For a moment there was dead silence in the room. Then Edina Tooker jumped to her feet and faced the shocked, attentive girls. Her hands were clenched at her sides. Her face was fiery with anger.
“Who said that?” she demanded.
When there was no answer except a snicker somewhere in the crowd, she added furiously:
“You don’t need to answer. I know your voice. I’d know it anywhere, Amanda Peabody! If you are trying to call me a crook, come on up before all these girls and do it! Come on! I dare you!”
When there was still no answer, Edina relaxed; over her face spread a look of contempt.
“You don’t dare!” she said. “And I’ll tell you why. You’re a bully and a coward and the meanest girl in this here—in this school.”
She paused for a moment while Amanda got up and marched to the door. Before passing through it, Amanda turned to fire one parting shot.
“You can call names, if you like. I don’t care. They never hurt anyone. But I mean just what I said. I wouldn’t trust you with a cent!”
When the door had slammed behind the unpleasant girl, Edina spoke to the group of students who had just raised her to a place of honor among them. Her speech was simple, direct, and to the point.
“If there’s any more among you who feel like Amanda Peabody does about me, I’d be pleased to have you say so.”