“Of course,” replied Molly. “That is what I meant. We did her a wrong in our minds, and in our minds we must undo it.”
“And how, pray?” demanded Judy.
“Well, let me see. Couldn’t we ask her here some night with just the three of us, and make her fudge and be awfully sweet and interested?”
“I suppose we could, if we made a superhuman mental and physical effort,” answered Judy lazily. “And it would take both. Why not let well enough alone?”
“But it isn’t ‘well enough,’ Judy, and we’ve had an ugly thought about her for weeks.”
“Do you call those practical jokes she played on us last autumn pretty?” demanded Judy, who had no liking for Minerva.
“No, but she has learned better now. Anyhow, Judy, I want to try an experiment. Do you remember the allegory of the sun and the wind and the man wrapped in his cloak? The wind made a wager with the sun that he could make the man take off his cloak, and he blew and blew with all his might, and the more he blew the closer the man wrapped his coat about him. Then the wind gave up and the sun came out and tried his method of just shining very brightly and cheerfully, and presently the man was so hot he took off his coat.”
Judy laughed.
“Meaning, I suppose, that we have been trying the human gale method instead of the merry little sunshine way. All right, Molly, dearest, bring on your Minerva and I’ll be as gentle as a May morning. But don’t let the Gemini come, because we could never carry it through if they were present.”
It was agreed that the three friends, Molly, Nance and Judy, should entertain the vain little freshman at an exclusive party all to themselves. Other persons were advised to keep away.