“Yes, Miss Nelson,” Penny dutifully responded, but she shot her chum a glance of black despair.
“What have you done now?” Louise demanded in an accusing whisper.
“Not a thing,” muttered Penny. “About ten minutes ago I clipped Fred Green with a paper ball, but I don’t think she saw me.”
“Get out of it as fast as you can,” Louise urged. “Unless we start for the Marborough place within half an hour we’ll have to postpone the trip.”
While the other pupils filed slowly from the room, Penny slumped back into her seat. She was a tall, slim girl with mischievous blue eyes which hinted of an active mind. Golden hair was accented by a brown sweater caught at the throat with a conspicuous ornament, a weird looking animal made of leather.
“Penelope, I don’t suppose you know why I asked you to remain,” observed the teacher, slowly coming down the aisle.
“Why, no, Miss Nelson.” Penny was far too wise to make damaging admissions.
“I want to talk to you about Rhoda Wiegand.”
“About Rhoda?” Penny echoed, genuinely surprised. The girl was a new student at Riverview, somewhat older than the members of her class, and lived in a trailer camp at the outskirts of the city.
Miss Nelson seated herself at a desk opposite Penny, thus indicating that she meant the talk to be friendly and informal.