She was wearing a bright blue dress made with simple straight lines and of some light summer material. Jeanette cared little for decorations, so there was no trimming. The neck was cut low and the sleeves to the elbow showed the lines of her firm brown throat and arms. To-day her eyes were bluer than usual and her lips redder.
Suddenly she shook her head and smiled.
"There is one thing certain, father, never shall I be awarded our silver arrow as a badge of moral courage. Mr. Stevens suggested this afternoon that we have pins in the shape of the silver arrow and wear them as the insignia of our club. There is something I want to ask you, a great, big favor and all at once I am afraid to ask. I never have been before in my life."
Mr. Colter leaned over. As Jeanette caught the expression in his eyes she flushed. Had she really been under the impression that he had ceased to care for her in the old fashion since his marriage? Had she not been trying to convince herself of this fact in order to pursue her own course? She had wished her jealousy and discontent to be fed.
"There is nothing to be alarmed over, father. I don't want anything you won't be willing to do for me. It is only that I am anxious to go away to boarding school this winter and want you to let me go immediately, within another week or so, as soon as you can make arrangements."
Jeanette dropped her eyes toward her brown hands clasped together over her knees.
She hoped she was not going to be asked for explanations. Why should one not ask for what one desired and at once receive it without further discussion? How much pleasanter this would be for everybody!
"I thought, Jeanette, we had all made up our minds that you and Lina would not consider going East to school for another year. When Lina is ready for college, you will have plenty of time for boarding school."
Jeanette bit her lips.
"The most disagreeable thing about having sisters is that one always is being included with them. No one speaks of what I like or wish, or what Lina likes or Via or Eda. One always talks about 'the girls' in a group, as if we possessed the same tastes and ideas! I detest it and want my own individuality. I cannot possibly see what Lina and her college have to do with boarding school and me."