“I never heard the rights of that affair, so I can’t pass opinion on what you just said.” Lola’s tones were dry to displeasure. She knew enough concerning their caller’s proclivity toward malicious gossiping to weigh well her words. “I prefer to drop the subject entirely, Bess. It does not interest me. Get it straight, once and for all, Alida and I know when we are well off. We aren’t contemplating any changes in our programme, least of all foolish changes.”
“Very well.” The reply bristled with offended vanity. It was gall to the conscienceless junior to be thus baldly snubbed. “You girls are very magnanimous. Perhaps you haven’t heard much that Miss Forbes has said against both of you. I assure you it has been considerable.”
“Let her rave.” Lola shrewdly ignored the bait thrown out by Elizabeth.
“How does it happen that you always hear more of such gossip than any other girl on the campus whom we know?” demanded Alida a trifle sharply.
“I don’t.” The red poured into Elizabeth’s cheeks at this thrust. “You two stick together all the time. That’s why you are not in touch with campus gossip, as you call it.”
“I see as much of this lovely aggregation as I care to,” Lola yawned. “Forget it, Bess. You can’t stir us into action with that kind of bluff. You are looking for trouble. You thought it would be nice to have us help you hunt it. Nay, nay, my child! It simply isn’t being done in our circle.”
“I might have known better than come to you. I——”
“First sensible thing you’ve said since you came in here,” murmured Lola.
“You are simply hateful, Lola Elster! Good night!” Elizabeth rose with an angry flop and made for the door.
“Oh, good night,” called Lola tantalizingly after her, as she banged the door. Lola turned to Alida, laughing. “That settles her. How she does hate to have her bluff called! Little she cares what that Forbes kid says against us. She only thinks of herself. If we were silly enough to help her in her schemes, we’d get the worst of it in the long run. If trouble came she’d slide from under and leave us to bear the brunt of it.”