This had been true of her stepmother earlier in the day.
"Yes, I was on my way to your house," Cecil returned. "I want to ask all of you to spend an afternoon with me at Mr. Stevens'. We have been neglecting our club of the 'Silver Arrow' in the excitement over the riding contest. You remember the idea originated with you. At the end of the summer the arrow is to be awarded to the one of us who has accomplished the most courageous deed."
Jeanette was aware that as he spoke her companion was regarding her oddly.
She obeyed an impulse.
"Why have you never congratulated me upon winning yesterday, Cecil? Don't you think it required some courage on my part to enter a contest with older and better riders?"
Cecil did not immediately reply. His lids dropped first, not the girl's.
She now was sitting bolt upright, her blue-gray eyes dark and defiant, the color hot in her cheeks.
Had Cecil alone among the spectators observed her unsportsmanlike behavior of the day before, or had her stepmother taken Cecil into her confidence? This last idea appeared unlikely. They had not seen each other alone, and to do Jeanette justice she did not believe her stepmother would speak first to Cecil.
In any case she had about concluded to attempt to brave out the situation and if Cecil made an accusation against her to deny whatever he inferred. Never would she appear as a penitent before Cecil Perry.
"Don't congratulate me unless you like. I realize you wished my stepmother to win," she continued with an obvious attempt at lightness. "She gave up the effort to win at the last, else I would not have been successful."