And because Billie was so popular, Amanda seemed to have an especial grudge against her and was always trying to get her into trouble.
As Amanda came toward them on this beautiful afternoon she seemed more unpleasant than usual and there was a mean little smile at the corners of her thin-lipped mouth.
"Hello!" she accosted the girls, then turned to Billie with a more pronounced grin. "I've heard all about the money you found in that awful old house. You must feel like a regular Captain Kidd, don't you?"
"Since I never was sure how Captain Kidd felt, I don't know," said Billie coolly, although she could feel the blood slowly mounting into her face. Oh, if she could only do what she wanted to, Amanda Peabody wouldn't be smiling very long!
The girls made as if to go on, but with characteristic ill breeding, Amanda planted herself directly in front of Billie, still with that maddening grin on her face.
"I suppose now you'll be going to Three Towers Hall and your brother to Boxton Academy."
Billie did not say anything—she just looked. But that look must have been enough, for suddenly with a flirt of her dress and a toss of her head and an insolent look Amanda flung past them.
"Just the same you needn't think you're the only pebble on the beach," she called back. "I'm going to Three Towers, too."
For a minute the chums could not believe their ears. Then they looked at each other with horror written on their faces.
"Did you hear what I heard?" gasped Billie, when she could find her voice.