"Plain Jane," laughed little Estella, swinging on Jane's arm.
"Have you just moved to Louisville?" asked another girl softly.
"Yes," said Claire. It was the first time she had spoken and the girls waited breathlessly for more information. But the simple yes was her whole contribution.
"Well, you must let us see a lot of you," said a bright-faced girl with docked hair. "Where do you live?"
"At the Seelbach at present," said Claire Maslin. Her voice was very deep and throaty for a young girl, and she spoke slowly.
Again the girls waited, expecting an invitation to call, but Claire said nothing. The silence grew oppressive. At the table the Scout Captain and a group of the girls were deep in some important discussion. No help could be expected from that quarter. It came, however, as the colored house-boy appeared at the door.
"Cunnel Maslin's car," he announced.
"Good-night," said Claire Maslin, her sudden smile sweeping the group and embracing them all. She left them and, moving easily toward the table, said a polite but brief good night to the little Captain.
"We will see you out," said Estella LaRue, tugging at plain Jane and accompanying the newcomer to the door. She passively allowed them to come, and the door closed.
In five minutes the two girls, round eyed and astonished, rushed back.