“Of course I believe what you say, Belle,” Jessie rejoined politely. “I only said ‘Oh, no!’ because I was startled.”
“What scared you?” demanded Belle, curiously.
“Why, I—I’m not scared––”
“It is none of your business, Belle Ringold,” put in Amy. “Don’t annoy her. Here, Jessie, I’ll––”
The clerk who waited on them had come to the table and placed a punched ticket for the sundaes on it. He evidently expected to be paid by the two girls. The other four were noisily grouping themselves about another table. Belle Ringold said:
“Give Nick your orders, girls. This is on me. I want a banana royal, Nick. Hurry up.”
The young fellow with the “patent leather” hair still lingered by the table where Jessie and Amy had sat. Belle turned around to stare at the two guilty-looking chums. She sneered.
“What’s the matter with you and Jess, Amy Drew? Were you trying to slip out without paying Nick? I shouldn’t wonder!”
“Oh!” gasped Jessie, flushing and then paling.
But Amy burst out laughing. It was a fact that Amy Drew often saw humor where her chum 98 could not spy anything in the least laughable. With the clerk waiting and these four girls, more than a little unfriendly, ready to make unkind remarks if they but knew the truth––