This left the girls to wonder, and they did that in all the ways known to girlhood.
Then it was definitely decided the first girl who mentioned the word prince should be made to pay a heavy fine.
All felt truly sorry for little Alma, but it was the wise and understanding Janet Beckwith who gathered the sobbing girl into her arms and soothed the sighs, tears, and protestations.
“Just teasing, dear,” she insisted. “You must not mind their nonsense. They, every one, love you dearly.”
“But I did see a real prince, Becky. And—and they won’t believe me,” sobbed out Alma.
Miss Beckwith wondered. “A real prince?” she repeated.
“Yes. I was near enough to see all his pretty—things,” Alma paused in her sobbing to relate. “He had all velvet clothes, and such a pretty black cap. Oh Becky!” she sobbed afresh, “can you ever imagine what it is to have the—girls—all making fun of you?”
“Now, Alma dear,” again soothed the leader, “I am really surprised that you should take this so seriously. You know the girls are not making fun of you——”
“They—said I had—a vision,” she sobbed as heavily as ever. “And I am determined to find out who that was—and prove it to them.”
Miss Beckwith was sorely puzzled. Naturally she supposed the girl was romancing. But why should she take it so seriously?