But again Mrs. Haddo noticed that Betty avoided looking into her eyes. “Betty,” she said, “this is a small matter—my yielding to the whim of an impetuous girl in whom I take an interest. But, my dear child, I have to congratulate you. You made a marvellous success—a marvellous success—last night. Several of the girls in the school have spoken of it, and in particular dear Margaret Grant. I wonder if you would improvise for me some evening?”
“Gladly!” replied Betty. And now for one minute her brilliant eyes were raised and fixed on those of Mrs. Haddo. “Gladly,” she repeated—and she shivered slightly—“if you will hear me after next Thursday.”
CHAPTER XIV
TEA AT FARMER MILES’S
“It’s all right, girls!” said Betty in her most joyful tone.
“What is all right, Betty and Bess?” asked Sylvia saucily.
“Oh, kiss me, girls,” said Betty, “and let’s have a real frolic! To-morrow is Saturday—a half-holiday, of course—and we’re going to the Mileses’ to have tea.”
“The Mileses’!”
“Yes, you silly children; those dear farmer-folk who keep the dogs.”