“I don’t quite understand.” Marjorie regarded Veronica in bewilderment. It was almost as though this astonishing girl had, in some mystifying fashion, divined the thought-process by which she had arrived at her decision.
Veronica laughed. “You mean you can’t imagine how I came to understand why you asked me again to become a Lookout.”
“Yes; that is true. But how could you possibly guess it? You amaze me, Ronny.”
“You don’t realize, Marjorie, that I have come to know you very well,” returned Veronica with sudden intensity. “You are the sort of girl that must play fairly, or not at all. You were not entirely satisfied with our agreement of last fall. I knew it then. I knew, too, that it was wisest for me to stay out of the club. Now the situation has changed. Our delicate consideration for a certain person has been wasted. You feel that my interest in the progress of the Lookouts has been, and is, greater than hers. Frankly, I know it to be so. I wish to join your club for two reasons. First, because this lawless, headstrong girl should be shown that the good of the Lookouts must be regarded above her personal prejudices; second, because of my own pleasure in the association.”
“You’ve said the very things I have thought, Ronny.” Marjorie spoke as one who has been miraculously relieved from a cumbersome burden. “I am glad you see things as I do. I shall propose you for membership on Thursday evening at the club meeting. If—a certain person——” She paused. “Why shouldn’t we say her name? If Mignon doesn’t approve, then she’ll have to disapprove. It will be a case of eleven against one. The majority rules, you know. The eleven will surely be delighted to welcome you as a Lookout. Do you mind if I tell them the good news beforehand?”
“As you please.” Veronica slipped an affectionate arm into one of Marjorie’s. “You are true blue, Lieutenant,” she said a trifle unsteadily. “All my life I shall be glad that I have known a girl like you. Some day I shall try to prove to you how much I appreciate your friendship.”
“It’s just the other way round, Ronny.” Marjorie’s earnest assurance rang with affection.
Arrived at the school building their confidential talk ended. Marjorie took her seat in the study hall feeling singularly inspirited. Veronica’s decision to join the Lookouts embued her with fresh courage to face the storm of protest which Mignon would undoubtedly raise when Veronica’s name was proposed for membership. Thinking it over she reconsidered her idea of telling the Lookouts beforehand. It would be hardly fair to leave Mignon out of the knowledge, yet she did not wish her to know it until she herself proposed Veronica’s name at the meeting. This course of action seemed infinitely more discreet. She was positive that no one save Mignon would raise an objection. Very charitably she hoped that the latter would not create a scene and thus lay herself open to the certain displeasure of the other girls. Her indignation aroused, hot-headed Muriel Harding was quite capable of demanding Mignon’s resignation then and there. Marjorie was definitely settled on one point. If, in the heat of anger, Mignon should tender her resignation, it should also mark the end of her personal interest in the French girl’s behalf. She would go to Mr. La Salle and ask release from her promise.
CHAPTER XXIII—A STORMY SESSION
“Is there any new business to be brought before the club?” inquired Muriel Harding in her most presidential manner.