At this particular point, the general effect was rather comical. Already he had outgrown the new suit with his first long trousers which he had had in September, his stick-like ankles and wrists being awkwardly apparent. And the contrast was striking between his long, very lank, angular body and the small round head with its sandy thatch of wild-looking hair, with his freckled face, snub nose and very childish mouth. Not that Tommy was aware of it or would have minded in the least if he had been. He had always been happy-go-lucky; but he had never so enjoyed himself as he had done of late. He had walked back and forth between home and school every day during the term, not even joining the others on the train on rainy or stormy days when the girls were not allowed to walk. And this though the money saved, as he never minded repeating, went into his father’s pocket—every red cent! He had outlived the nickname, “Teacher’s Pet,” with which he had been dubbed the first day when seen from a little distance walking with Betty, and he was rather proud of the succeeding “Finnyfish” which he still went by. He saw Mr. Meadowcroft daily and doubled the delight of his days by narrating their events to him. And he had used so prudently the very scant leisure he had to devote to magic that he hadn’t once all the term lost the privilege of working at it. And he had had some success (recognizable only to a connoisseur) at that fascinating pursuit.
But of late the boy had been aware that the enthusiastic witness and supporter of the latter as well as the loyal comrade of his unsuccess was not so ideally happy as everyone else was—everyone else being Rose, Mr. Meadowcroft and himself. Tommy felt vaguely that something was troubling Betty, preying upon her mind—in which he was wiser than his elders. Mr. Meadowcroft had, indeed, realized only a few days before that Betty had changed outwardly to an extent that would have been startling to one who had not seen her in the interval since the summer. It came to him suddenly that the girl was now no larger than she should be for her height, that she really ought not to lose another pound. And he wondered whether he ought to persuade her to go back and forth by the train during the coming term. But he hesitated to do this, knowing how thoroughly, how ardently, indeed, the girl enjoyed the walking. Furthermore, it seemed almost her only enjoyment—practically the only bit of unalloyed, girlish “fun” she had. She was so absorbed in Rose Harrow, so intent upon helping her with her lessons, enabling her to partake of whatever was anywhere offered, and enriching her life that she seemed to have little more young life of her own than she had formerly had except for the long walks of which the three friends made real and vigorous sport.
Tommy leaned upon the handsome piece of felt Mr. Meadowcroft had given him for his work table.
“The first thing you know, your father’ll up and put a stop to your walking to school and then you’ll be sorry,” he declared.
Betty started. Her face sobered almost to sadness.
“But, Tommy, if it’s true, I should think father’d only be glad,” she protested. “He was always ashamed to have me so big. I just wish I could grow shorter, too.”
“Well, he won’t stand for your getting sick, Betty Pogany, and that’s just what it’s coming to if you don’t watch out,” the boy declared.
“But how can I, Tommy? You don’t mean I ought to give up walking?” cried the girl anxiously.
“It ain’t that,” he declared, “but I can tell you just what it is that ails you. You’re—you’re just killing yourself because of Rose. You’re so blooming sorry for her you don’t have her off your mind one single minute, and you don’t take one mite of comfort for yourself. And, gee! you might have such a high time always. All the fellows say you’re the most popular girl in our class—among everybody, boys and girls and teachers—and you don’t make anything out of it at all. Gee whiz! I’d like your chance! If I could be a spell-binder as easy as you could, you’d see a thing or two happen!”
Betty had colored charmingly. What Tommy had said of her popularity was quite true. Moreover, she was as pretty as any girl in the class. She was over-tall, but she was sufficiently slender and very graceful and the fine straight lines of her figure accorded well with her fine, sweet, child-like face.