"I guess it's the Ramseys," said Alene, going out to meet them.
"I hoped the rain would keep them away," murmured Ivy with a grimace.
"So did I," answered Laura. "I felt like turning back when Alene said they were coming, but I hated to hurt her feelings!"
They heard Alene greeting the new-comers, then footsteps and voices in the hall, and presently the three girls came in together.
The sisters were in the midst of an argument. Vera had found a small rent in her silk umbrella for which she declared Hermione's umbrella responsible.
"But I was walking ahead of you all the way, not near enough for the rib to touch your umbrella! It must have been done when you crowded up against the fence to let Mrs. Park and her baby carriage go past."
"Well, I couldn't go in the muddy street, could I? I don't see why they bring babies out on such a day as this, brushing others up against damp walls! But it's just a little cut such as only an umbrella point could give. It never touched the fence!" Vera's grumbling came to a sudden pause—"Oh say, Alene, I didn't know you had company!"
"I had no chance to tell you on the way in."
"No, Vera gives no one a chance when she has a grievance to air!" said Hermione. "Howdy'do, girls!"
She crossed the room and sat beside Ivy and Laura. Vera took an easy chair near the table, somewhat apart from the group, and gave all her attention to the careful removing of her kid gloves. The conversation with her mother as to the manner in which to meet her poorer schoolmates in society was fresh in her mind. Now was the opportunity to act upon her convictions. She resolved to be very cool in her treatment of Laura and Ivy.