"Oh that girl is always with us, to keep us from enjoying life too much. Why don't they send her away to Boarding School or something? She has already gotten two people into trouble by tattling."
"That girl's a pest!" Bet frowned with indignation.
"Lady Betty Merriweather would have won her friendship and changed her whole character," said Kit, gazing into the smiling eyes.
Joy laughed. "You wait until you know Edith Whalen. Then you will see if there is anything that can change her character."
"I must say I feel a little discouraged myself," said Bet, shaking her head.
CHAPTER VIII
THE THORN IN THE FLESH
School had been in session for two weeks before Bet and Kit were allowed to go. Although Kit was a year and a half older than her friends, she was in the same grade. The little mountain school which she had attended in Arizona, had not been of the best. Her friendship for her chums made up to her for the fact that she was taller than any other girl in the class and for that reason had to bear many taunts from spiteful and thoughtless schoolmates. Kit became a favorite with most of the class, her quaint sayings amused them. But Edith Whalen took a violent dislike to her, as she was apt to do when she saw another girl made much of.
"Isn't she terribly crude!" exclaimed Edith with curled lips. "I don't see why she had to be in our class. I know mother wouldn't want me to associate with her."