She remembered one of Mrs. Brownley’s confidences about Barbara’s engagement and idly asked Allie about it.
“Is Bob engaged to Ted?”
“Oh, Lord, who knows!” said Allie. “She’s had an awful row with him, but she’s got his ring. I don’t know what they fought about. And she’s such a fool, for she really is crazy about him and he knows it so he doesn’t pay much attention when she rows.”
She stopped as Barbara came towards them.
“I’m going up to town over night. I wonder if you and Mr. Haynes would take me up? Have you an extra seat? I’ll be a fine chaperon.”
Helen frowned a little. She disliked the insinuation, just as she disliked Barbara, but the girl’s request could not be refused gracefully.
“I’m sure Jerrold will be glad,” she said rather coldly.
“When’d you decide to go to town, Bob?” asked Allie.
Another girl joined the group, overhearing the last remark.
“I think she’s going up to keep a watch on Ted. One of the girls saw him with that pretty Thorstad girl one day at a hotel—the girl there’s been such a lot of talk about.”