“I tell you a tiny little bit, Leila Greatheart,” Marjorie conceded indulgently. “Something happened yesterday at the Arms that was in the nature of an astonishing surprise. Leslie was there when it happened. Goldendede wishes the girls she has invited to dinner to hear about it. She intends to tell them.”
Marjorie felt the color rising in her cheeks. Her own surprise at the finding of Brooke Hamilton’s notebook had been secondary to that of Miss Hamilton’s avowed choice of “the one.” To cover her sudden feeling of confusion she asked hastily, “Where is Vera?”
“Now you are asking me something. Midget is at the freshie frolic. It’s tonight, you know, and seems a very clannish affair. There were more than enough sophs to go round. No juniors or seniors were invited this year to help on escort duty. Midget was asked to be one of the three judges of the beauty contest. She, Doris and Calista Wilmot are the fateful trio. The contest was to be held at nine-thirty, so Midget will be here before you go.”
“There’s a freshie at the dormitory who ought to win it,” Marjorie declared with enthusiasm. “I don’t know her name, but I do know she is a beauty. I happened to be over at the dorm the day she arrived. She actually took my breath. She has violet blue eyes and curly black auburn hair, and the sweetest face, with a skin like a roseleaf.”
“I’ve met her. Her name is Carol Burke. The dorms are hoping she’ll win the contest. They say, though, that she will be awfully upset, if she should win it; that she’s very shy, and retiring, with but little idea of her own good looks. That is the way you were, Beauty, when I dragged you into the first contest.” Leila flashed Marjorie one of her inimitable smiles.
“I remember I felt awfully cross with you because of it,” Marjorie reminded. “Now, in my settled old age, I can afford to smile over it.”
“But if you were to walk into the gym tonight in your violet dress you would win it again,” Leila predicted.
“My violet dress!” Marjorie hurried away from the subject of the contest. “It seems strange, Leila, but it looks as lovely as ever; not a bit old style. Captain shortened it and took out the sleeves, and now it’s a dream. How are the Bertramites? I must have them over at the Rest soon to dinner.”
“They are—” Two deliberate, successive knocks on the door sent Leila scurrying to open it for Leslie, who had dropped Marjorie at the Hall and had then gone on to the garage with her roadster.
“Come on into my room for a while,” Leslie invited. “Marjorie hasn’t seen Fifteen since it was done over. Jewel Marie is gaily fox-trotting at the frolic, thank goodness, and we can discuss the affairs of the universe in peace. Leave a scrawl on the table for Vera when she comes in, Leila. Have you seen Miss Remson yet?” she turned to Marjorie.