As the real alarm subsided a tendency to withdraw “within themselves and gloat over the whole delicious thrill” (from Pat’s pronouncement,) was shamefully evident.
Tests and exams furnished a reasonable excuse, so far as loyalty to Jack and the now idolized Gloria, was concerned, yet the interruptions imposed by some of the most studious and dependable, seemed to threaten traditions of Altmount and possibly shift the honors.
Gloria was determined to come out first in the English tests. Reading under her father’s guidance from childhood, she had easily acquired an advantage over the average student, and she felt confident now that her essay would have a fair chance of winning first.
To send it to dad! To have him read his own thoughts, as he used to give them to me! All his original ideas and his real pet theory of woodland relations! She was working hour after hour upon the theme, and it would be done in time. The contest would close in two days more and when tests were over there would still be time for some extra polishing.
Then Jack’s accident interrupted.
And now, the evening after, Jack wanted to talk to her “all alone,” Trixy said so.
“My own special thrill,” she replied to Trixy. “But I do hope it will not be too secret to share with you—and Pat.”
“And Mary,” added Trixy. “You have no idea, Glo, what a girl Mary is. I’m going to invite her out to Sandford with me after exams are over. I believe we will have a week, and they houseclean while we are gone.”
“Well, I’ll run along to Jack,” Gloria said. “Somehow I sort of hate——”
“Oh, you needn’t worry that she’ll gush over the heroic rescue,” interrupted Trixy. “Jack is as sobered as if she had just dashed through the rapids. There is, plainly, something worrying her. I hope she won’t transfer the worry to you, little girl,” affection warmed the sentence, “for I’m just as proud and a bit more proud of you than are any of the others. After all, you are my own special little Gloria.” The flushed cheek was pressed with Trixy’s eager lips and for a few moments they became again the chums they used to be, before Altmount, the fashionable boarding school, had imposed its estranging influence.