“So it was with me,” declared Polly. “And I never dared say anything sarcastic about the other girls not turning up every time, because I felt so guilty myself.”
“So did I!” cried Bertha and Agnes together.
“Well, so didn’t I!” exclaimed Dot. “I was perfectly free to say all the time that I didn’t intend to spend my whole summer or even ten days of it working harder than I do winters. I move that Archie be given a vote of thanks for introducing the Rest Cure into the Boat Club, and also a vote of admiration for the beauty of his dissimulation.”
“I second the motion,” said Archie himself, “and amend it to include going home. Want any help in locking up, Al?”
“No, thanks,” said Algernon, hearing for the first time a nickname that any fellow might have had applied to himself. “Good night, all of you. I’ll take good care of things, you can count on that.”
As the rest drifted in pairs and threes toward 85 their homes, a well-content young man set the reading-chairs in their places, put out the low-burning lamps, turned the key in the lock, and walked briskly away, happier than he had ever been.
Even so early, Catherine’s inspiration had shown itself a true one.
86CHAPTER SEVEN
A PARTY AT POLLY’S
“Where you goin’, Algy?”