Judith repeated her startling statement, adding that she had proof for everything she said. Her manner was so genuine and convincing that Griffin started up with a quick gesture of command.
"Don't say another word till I get back," she said, authoritatively, and was gone before any questions could be formed.
They sat in absolute silence, absently watching the occupants of the now nearly deserted tables straggle out in twos and threes, until the room was quite empty, and Patricia could bear it no longer.
"We don't have to petrify, do we?" she said, with a nervous ripple. "Griffin may keep us sitting here for hours——"
Judith's dramatic sense asserted itself, and she frowned at Patricia's frivolous interruption of the portentous silence.
"Do be still, Miss Pat," she said sedately. "We've waited two whole days already—five minutes more won't hurt us."
Margaret Howes glanced at Elinor, as she sat quietly with chin in one pink palm, her brows drawn level and her dark eyes steady and thoughtful.
"You're a wonder, Kendall Major," she broke out. "Here am I all fluffed up and on positive pins and needles over this affair, while you are as calm as a picture. Don't you feel excited? Aren't you wild to hear what it is?"
Elinor laid her hands on the table and Patricia could see that the fingers were twisted together until the knuckles showed white.
"Of course, I am anxious," she said evenly. "But I've had a different sort of life from most girls, and it's taught me that there's always a lot more to any surprise than we're looking for. I've been wondering just how much pain there's going to be, back of the pleasure of being set right in the eyes of the school."