“Jump in my car when you’re ready,” he said very quietly while she hesitated.
“Isn’t Glenn here?” she asked presently. It was clear to her that she should not desert an old friend like Glenn for one so new as Dudley.
“Yes, but Cara’s taking the big car and he will go with the crowd. I’ve got to take mine,” Dudley added, as an excuse for asking Barbara. “If you want to ask another girl there’s lots of room, of course.” He drawled that “of course” in open mockery. Why take on another girl?
“All right,” replied Barbara. “I’ll ask Ruth.”
Now this was the very thing she didn’t want to do, because Ruth’s presence would prevent her private talk with Dudley, but she was annoyed. She was ready to quarrel with Dudley. He had heard all she said to little Nicky, and he could not have helped understanding her promise not to go to his house.
“I suppose you’re sore,” the boy made a chance to say, “but it wasn’t my fault.”
“No? I suppose your car knew the way so well it skidded right along over the tracks.”
Dudley looked at her sharply. This was a new Babs. She was sharp and bitter as a boy would have been. And scrappy.
“Oh, say!” he exclaimed, his own eyes flashing defiantly. “I told you I could explain.”
“Got to go,” Babs reminded him, for the other girls were actually coming down the stairs and she had not yet gone up. Also she didn’t want to hear his excuse.