Jo chuckled mirthlessly.
"Everything horrid comes from them," she explained.
"Well, this is horrid! It's the worst I ever heard——"
"Stop stammering and shoot," commanded Nan slangily, helping herself calmly to a bon-bon. "You might as well break the awful news and have it over with."
Jessie leaned forward and fixed the girls with her flashing eyes.
"It is about Kate and that awful Lottie," she said. "They are going around telling everybody that you girls are at the bottom of this second 'practical joke'!"
The three chums were on their feet at once, staring incredulously at Jessie.
"But how do you know they are saying that?" demanded Sadie.
"Doris heard of it first," answered Jessie. "And just now two of the younger girls came to me with the story. Where are you going?" she demanded suddenly as Jo started for the door.
"To Miss Romaine!" returned Jo, her lips set. "I'm going to ask her to make them stop it!"