“She looks very nice now,” said Betty.
“It was sweet of you to do it for her,” said Martha. “And, you know, she quite worships you; she does, really.”
“There was nothing in my doing it,” replied Betty. She felt inclined to add, “For she was particularly obliging to me to-day;” but she changed these words into, “I suggested the idea, so of course I had to see it carried out properly.”
“The white sash makes all the difference,” said Martha. “You are quite a genius, Betty!”
“Oh no,” said Betty. She looked for a minute into Martha’s small, gray, very honest eyes, and wished with all her heart and soul that she could change with her.
The usual high-jinks and merriment went on while the eatables were being discussed. But when every one had had as much as she could consume with comfort, and the oranges, walnuts, and crackers were put aside for the final entertainment, Margaret (being at present head-girl of the Specialities) proposed round games for an hour.“After that,” she said, “we will ask Betty Vivian to tell us stories.”
“Oh, but we all want the stories now!” exclaimed several voices.
Margaret laughed. “Do you know,” she said, “it is only a little past seven o’clock, and we cannot expect poor Betty to tell stories for close on two hours? We’ll play all sorts of pleasant and exciting games until eight o’clock, and then perhaps Betty will keep her word.”
Betty had purposely asked to be excused from joining in these games, and every one said she understood the reason. Betty was too precious and valuable and altogether fascinating to be expected to rush about playing Blind-Man’s Buff, and Puss-in-the-Corner, and Charades, and Telegrams, and all those games which schoolgirls love.
The sound from the Vivians’ bedroom was very hilarious for the next three-quarters of an hour; but presently Margaret came forward and asked all the girls if they would seat themselves, as Betty was going to tell stories.