“Just to make curious folk ask questions, I guess,” chuckled Tavia, her big brown eyes dancing, and just then several of the other girls tumbled into the room and there was so much noise and talk that Dorothy quite forgot the ribbon bows.
“That old Olaine is just the meanest——” from Cologne.
“Did you hear what she said to little Luttrell when she couldn’t find her skates? And Luttrell’s folks can’t buy her skates every day, I don’t believe,” declared Ned Ebony, hotly.
“Did you hear her, Doro?” demanded Nita Brent.
“No,” admitted Dorothy Dale.
“Why, she told Luttrell not to cry like a baby about it; probably somebody found them that needed them more than she did. Nasty old——”
“Hold on! Hold on!” advised Dorothy.
Tavia laughed rather harshly. “Miss Olaine is just as comforting as the rooster was when Mrs. Hen was in tears because one of her little ones had been sacrificed to make a repast for the visiting clergyman.
“‘Cheer up, Madam,’ said Mr. Rooster. ‘You should rejoice that your son is entering the ministry. He was poorly qualified for a lay member, anyhow,’” and Tavia laughed again, as did the others.
“Oh, Tavia, that’s ridiculous,” said Cologne. “Aren’t you sorry for little Luttrell?”