"I am anxious about you," said Janet. "I can see quite plainly that you are going all wrong."
Bridget gave a sort of snort.
Janet held up her small hand imploringly.
"Do listen," she said. "How can I explain myself if you interrupt me each moment?"
"But you never liked me, Janey. You have shown that all too plainly. I cannot imagine what you are prying into my affairs for. Now if Dolly came——"
"Dolly has not come, and I have. Now, will you listen. I will frankly say that I did not care about you when you first came to the school. When I saw you so—so defiant, Bridget, so proud, so free, so absolutely fearless; when I saw you with all these characteristics, taking people by storm, for you know you did take the little girls of the school quite by storm, I felt a sense of strong irritation against you. I never met a girl like you before; you puzzled me; you did not please me. Now, I am going to be quite frank; I do not really like you much better now, but as I see that you fully intend to be on my side, it is impossible for me any longer not to take your part."
"I fully intend to be on your side?" repeated Bridget. "Indeed, then, I don't, and I may as well say so frankly at once."
"Yes, Bridget, you do; you can't help yourself, for you and I will in future have good cause to hate the same girl."
"What girl?'
"Evelyn Percival; the one you have just spoken of as the queen of the school."