But Betty’s letters had placed Bettina on a kind of pedestal, suggesting that she lived in a finer, purer atmosphere than other girls. Mrs. Burton was not so sure. At this moment she did not like the fashion in which Bettina had received a mysterious note from Ralph Marshall. It looked secretive. And Bettina was still flushed and embarrassed.
Polly felt a sudden qualm. After all, she knew little about girls, and if anything happened to Betty’s or Mollie’s daughter while under her care, would she not always feel responsible?
Bettina at this instant suddenly jumped up, her face growing warm and lovely as she started running across the grass lawn like a graceful child.
The next moment, forgetting her years and everything else, Mrs. Burton fled after her.
For they had both discovered almost simultaneously that a carriage was entering the gate which divided the Webster farm from the grounds about the house. And out of the carriage a handkerchief was being riotously waved.
At their approach the carriage stopped and a woman alighted.
She put her hands on Bettina’s shoulders kissing her on both cheeks.
“You are looking better, darling.”
Then she turned.
“Polly O’Neill, didn’t you know I would come from Washington as soon as I learned you were in this part of the world? How can you look so exactly like you always did as a girl, in spite of your age and honors? You are thin as a rail.”