It was Dora on her way home, so busy thinking that she started when Elsie called her.
"Why, Elsie Morris," she exclaimed as she caught sight of the forlorn figure on the doorstep.
"Oh, Dora, please help me. I am caught and can't get out."
"Have you been here all this time?" Dora asked, running up the steps in great surprise. "Shall I ring the bell or go around?" pausing with her hand on the knob.
"You'd better ring. I don't want to see the girls."
Dora's hand still rested on the bell, but she hesitated. "Elsie," she said, "I just believe this has happened so we can make up. Won't you? I know that Bess and Louise will if you will. Think how unhappy we are! We can't have any more good times." Dora felt that she had the advantage.
"No," said Elsie crossly; "and I wish you would ring that bell; I am as cold as I can be. It was my turn, and it was selfish and mean in them not to let me have it."
"Oh, Elsie, they are not selfish; they are always ready to do what we like, but they thought it was my turn. That is why I feel so badly about it; for if it had been her own turn I think Bess would have given up. Please, please promise to make up."
That Dora cared a great deal was plain, for her eyes were full of tears, and those tears did much towards gaining the victory.
"I am not the least bit mad with you, Dora," Elsie hastened to say, "but I am with Bess. Please ring the bell."