The laughing boys and girls crowded into the library. It was not an unusual occurrence for them all to thus gather at Betty's home, which seemed to be a rendezvous for such little parties. But the boys seldom came in such numbers.
"I wonder why they brought that—Percy," whispered Betty, when she had a chance at Grace's ear.
"No danger—they didn't bring him—he attached himself," replied Grace. For, be it known, Percy was not very well liked. The boys did not care for him because of his too well-dressed appearance, and his lack of appreciation of manly sports. And the girls did not like him—well, for as much a reason as anything, because Betty did not care for him.
Percy Falconer was, or imagined he was, very fond of Betty. And, to tell more of the truth, Betty distinctly did not care for Percy, though he tried to show her attentions. Now if it had been Allen Washburn, the young law student—well, that is an entirely different story. But as Allen was present on this occasion, the presence of Percy was rather mitigated.
"Girls, we've got news for you!" exclaimed Will, when he and the others had more or less carefully distributed themselves about the library. "Fine and dandy news!"
"The best ever!" added Henry Blackford, with a nod at Amy, who still clung to her modest place behind the palm.
"And, if you're real good, we'll let you in on it," declared Allen Washburn.
"Aren't they condescending, though," mocked Mollie. "As if we didn't have secrets ourselves!"
"Shall we tell them?" asked Grace.
"Let's hear theirs first," suggested Betty.