“Next she’ll drop the book under his seat, and he’ll have to speak to her in returning it,” said Tavia. “Now, why didn’t I think of trying that? Such a chance!”
Dorothy was interested in the new girl and paid little attention to the talk that Tavia was making for her benefit, for, though Tavia always loved to do absurd things, she would not have spoken to the stranger.
“She is the young lady we were introduced to on the depot platform,” Dorothy remarked. “Her name is Jean Faval.”
“Ought to be Bean Flavor,” said Tavia, trying to pun on the name. “She looks sort of—canned.”
“I think her very stylish, but that skirt is tight. I wouldn’t wear one like it myself,” Dorothy replied.
“And a Dutch neck on the train,” continued Tavia, looking at the very white neck of the new girl, who wore no collar. “I believe she wears slippers, and the very thinnest silk hose.”
“It’s warm enough for both, and I shouldn’t mind having forgotten my heavy walking shoes,” Dorothy said.
Just then the book dropped. Tavia almost jumped out of her seat. She actually gasped. The young lady across moved her foot, and the book came out in the aisle.
In an instant Tavia had it in her hands, and was passing it back.
“Oh, thank you so much!” spoke the owner, in a suspicious tone. “I could have gotten it.”