CHAPTER VI: FRIENDS AND FUN
Had Betty Lee imagined any faintly romantic attraction to her daintyself on the part of Ted Dorrance, she would have been disappointedduring these first weeks in the new school. He always spoke when theymet in the halls provided he saw her; but he was usually with other boysand very much engrossed in whatever he was discussing with them.Hurrying crowds on the way to classes had little interest for Betty aswell. She, too, was absorbed by the busy and interesting life, and soonhad friends among the girls in her classes.
Betty, though friendly, was by nature not inclined to make close friendsimmediately. But girls that recite together and have the same lessonswill find much in common. Betty’s good recitations and her hand thatwent up often to answer the questions of different teachers weresufficient introduction to her classmates, who heard her name, as sheheard theirs, when she was called upon to recite. She cheerfully lent apencil or pen for a moment, or answered some question before class aboutthe lesson, or sat upon her desk, opposite some similarly perched girl,to chat about coming events. There were “hundreds of freshmen” and thatliterally; but they resolved themselves into the comparative few withwhom she recited in her different classes.
Long before the Thanksgiving visit, which she anticipated from her oldhome chum, she was accustomed to school and work and thoroughly likedmany of the girls, especially a few who were “very chummy” with her, shetold her mother, and sat with her at lunch, or waited for her afterclass, or planned their work or recreation together.
Louise Madison, she found to be a senior, president of the Girls’Athletic Club, a large association, indeed, consisting of all the girlswho “went in” for athletics. A certain amount of gym work was required,but one could take more, to be sure. Yet Betty’s parents were a littlehesitant just yet; and not knowing the wisdom of the teachers in charge,preferred that Betty wait a little, except in swimming, which her fathersaid she ought to know as well as possible, so that she could “swim toEurope” in case something happened to the ship before it reached port.
At that remark, soberly delivered, the family had laughed, but Dorisasked in good earnest, “When are we going, Papa?”
“Aw, Dodie,” said Dick, “can’t you tell a joke when you hear one?”
“Well, we probably _shall_ go some day,” airily said Doris, provoked atherself for having spoken too soon, and none too well pleased with hertwin. “You think you’re very smart!”
“Doris,” quietly said her mother with a reproving shake of her head, andtrouble was avoided.
The freshman to whom Betty was most attracted, and that very soon, wasCarolyn Gwynne, a bright, warm?hearted, generous girl, alive toeverything and enthusiastic about many things, yet with a certain poisethat Betty decided was due to the fact that she had always lived in thecity. Her pretty brown head often bobbed along by Betty’s fair one andher face was alight with various expressions as she told Betty “all sheknew and more,” as she herself said.
“Everybody likes Carolyn,” said Peggy Pollard, who had seen the gradesthrough with Carolyn. “It’s because Carolyn goes out of her way to dothings for people. She has a lovely family, too, and that makes adifference, don’t you think, Betty?”
“Oh, yes. Wouldn’t it be terrible not to be happy at home?”
“It certainly would.”
Peggy herself was a “darling girl,” Betty thought, prettily plump, likeCarolyn, though shorter than either Carolyn or Betty. Her locks thatfell around her shoulders just now, being allowed to grow and variouslytrained on different days, were of that dark brown red that belongs withwhat seems to be the same color of eyes and a pinky complexion. ButPeggy did not go without a hat as much as the other girls, sincefreckles “were one thing she wasn’t going to have!” If she could only_tan_ decently now! “You have a dimple on one cheek, Betty Lee,” saidPeggy, “and Carolyn has one on the other. Those cheeks ought to be onone person!”
“Oh, aren’t you funny, Peggy Pollard!” exclaimed Betty. “Carolyn’s cheekadded to my cheek,”–then they both laughed, thinking of another meaningfor “cheek.” They were in a mood for silliness anyhow, Peggy said, forthey were on their way to the auditorium for a “pep” meeting. Theoccasion, of course, was fall foot, ball. Enthusiasm must be aroused forthe “Lions,” soon to fight their first battles on the gridirons ofvarious schools in the city and suburbs. But Betty did have two dimples.
In common with the rest of the scholars of Lyon High, Betty and herfriends were delighted to have an auditorium session, not only for whatusually went on, but for the cutting of recitation hours!
“Carolyn’s going to have a garden party, Betty,” Peggy continued. “Hasshe told you about it?”
“No–I hope I’ll be invited, though,” laughed Betty, climbing the stairsnow for the recitation room and her freshman locker, just secured in thelast few days. “My, isn’t it nice not to have to carry your books aroundany more!”
“Yes,” and Peggy slid her hand up along the brass railing of the stairs.“But I imagine Carolyn just decided about it last night. All their fallflowers are so beautiful now. They have a wonderful big place, you know.Have you anything else to do Saturday?”
“No, only some shopping down town with Mother. I could put that off. Shehas a lot of things to do for Dick and Doris.”
“You might get your shopping done in the morning, perhaps. I’ll tell youwhat cars to take, though it might be that Carolyn could come for you,or somebody call for you in their car.”
“Oh, I could get there, I think, if it is not too far from the car line.I’m getting used to going around now.”
“It isn’t so easy sometimes, even for those of us that have always livedhere, and our fathers and mothers like to be careful of us, of course.”
“Will there be a large party? I might meet some of the girls somewhere,wherever you have to change cars.”
“Yes, probably you could. Why, I think that there will be all our crowdand some others we don’t see so much of, real nice girls, you know.”
Betty was glad to be included in “our crowd,” but there was no furtheropportunity for conversation. Boys and girls were pouring into thedifferent entrances of the auditorium, seeking their regular seats,which had been assigned.
“Oh, look!” exclaimed Peggy. “We’re going to have the band! Say, don’tthey look fine in their uniforms? Well, ’bye–sorry I can’t sit by you.”
The high school band did look resplendent. As Betty took her seat theystruck up a lively popular air and played it through while the schoolwas assembling. They were on the platform, where the principal stoodbeside a chair, probably thinking that his presence would have moreeffect if he stood. And the presence of the dignified principal alwaysdid have a calming effect. No nonsense or disrespect was ever shown tohim, for the very good reason that he would not tolerate it. A school ofthis size, and a city school, with its variety of composition, calledfor no weakness in the men and women who had charge of its discipline,though in this school all due consideration was given to the rights andneeds of its pupils.
It was a pretty scene. Betty was glad that she sat on the end of one rowof seats, for she could see so much better. Eagerly she leaned forward,not to miss any part of scene or action. But before they were seated,they all turned as usual, at the signal from the principal, to salutethe flag, whose bright stripes and stars showed at the principal’sright. Already the pupils were trained to say in excellent unison thephrases which pledged them to the flag of their country and that “forwhich it stands.” Together they made the right gestures at the righttime and Betty had not gotten over feeling thrilled to be a part of sogreat a company, or over the patriotic tie that made them one.
Carolyn sat not far away, in front of Betty, and as soon as they wereseated she leaned back to nod at Betty and form with her lips the words,“I want to see you after this.”
Betty nodded her understanding. She _was_ going to be invited to thegarden party, she thought. But what was the principal saying? He sa
tdown, after making a few announcements and handing the conduct of themeeting over to some boy, whom Betty supposed the president of the Boys’Athletic Association, though she had not caught the last words of theprincipal. The program was not so different from that of the meetingswhich Betty had attended in the little school at home, when there was ageneral gathering in honor of athletics, but oh, how much biggereverything was.
The band was several times as large, and how well they played! It mustbe something to learn to play in a city where there is a symphonyorchestra, Betty thought. Ambition stirred. She just _must_ belong toone of the musical organizations of the school, some time if not now!
Now the yell leader performed, leading the school in different yells forthe team and school. Betty’s face was one wide smile. These were new andfunny yells. The team had to come forward and some speeches where made.Some of the boys were shy and awkward; others, used to it, said theirsay with greater freedom. Some funny expressions were used. Bettythought of how they must grate on the ears of her strict English teacherwho had been particularly severe in regard to slang at their lastrecitation. What would she say if she heard some of the things thatBetty had been surprised to hear girls say, girls that seemed to be niceand were undoubtedly attractive? Such girls in the village at home werenot welcomed to intimate friendship and as a rule belonged to a classcareless and unrefined at home.
Little thoughts like these ran through Betty’s young head as sheapplauded with the rest and tried the yells, such fun to say; though shedid not know some of them. But they were easy to get, “crazy” as theywere. But the wilder the better, when it comes to athletics, or so themodern rooters seem to think. The band indulged in funny little crashesat quick signals from the yell leader. Betty, with one eye on theprincipal, saw him smile occasionally. All this was allowed; but, afterall, it was an orderly performance, if wildly enthusiastic. “My, theyall know how to do it, don’t they?” she said to Carolyn, who joined heron their way from the auditorium.
“Yes, but they wouldn’t I guess if they didn’t have people in chargethat won’t stand for any nonsense. Got your Latin all out?”
“Yes, though I’m shaky on some of it. It’s terribly hard for me tomemorize. If she didn’t have us go over it so much I’d never get it.”
“That’s what teachers are for, I suppose,” laughed Carolyn. “But what Iwanted to see you about was this: I want to have a garden party whilethe weather’s nice, so I’m asking everybody for Saturday–just informalinvitations, you know, not the way my big sister does when _she_ gives aparty! Can you come? We’ll have a picnic dinner outdoors, unless theweather does something awful. But it’s pretty dry and I don’t believe itwill rain. We had such a lot of rain last week and our flowers are sopretty now. Please come.”
“Why, I’d just love to, Carolyn, and I think it’s nice of you to ask me.I don’t know of any reason why I can’t come. I’ll ask Mother tonight andlet you know _sure_ tomorrow. It’s practically sure, though, because Ican do what I like Saturday afternoon.”
“All right, Betty. I’ll expect you. I’ll give you the address and tellyou how to get there when I have time.”
The girls hurried along with the rest of the crowds going to recitationrooms. It must be said that Betty’s mind wandered a little occasionally,whenever it was safe to let it wander, from the subjects of the lessonsto the delightful prospect of next Saturday. This was the first of theweek. What should she wear? She did not like to ask Carolyn, but perhapsshe could manage to bring up the subject with Peggy, or some of theother girls, when she knew who were invited. Suppose there should besome freshman boys. Peggy hadn’t said and neither had Carolyn.
That afternoon, after school, Betty rushed into the house with her booksfor night study and deposited them on the table with a slight thud. Hereyes were alight and the “one dimple” was much in evidence. “Mother, I’minvited to a garden party! It’s at Carolyn’s on Saturday afternoon andthey’re going to have a picnic dinner outdoors. Can I go? _May_ I go, Imean?”
“I shall certainly want to say yes, if you want to go, as I judge youdo.” Mrs. Lee was smiling, too, as she looked at her glowing youngdaughter. She folded a garment she had been mending and laid it aside.“Tell me about it.”
“Well, you know who Carolyn is, don’t you?”
“I ought to by this time,” and Mrs. Lee’s eyes twinkled. “It occurs tome that I have heard you mention her before.”
Betty laughed. “I suppose I _have_ raved about Carolyn. But she is thedearest thing.”
“I am sure that it is a perfectly proper friendship, Betty,” assentedBetty’s mother. “The Gwynne place has been mentioned more than once inthe paper and I read of a large garden party given there by Carolyn’smother, about two weeks ago, I think.”
“Oh, was that the gorgeous place that had the pictures of it in theSunday paper?” Betty looked a little dismayed. “Why, they must be verystylish and wealthy folks–but Carolyn likes me–I know she does.”
“To be stylish and wealthy, my dear, does not always make people snobs,and there are other assets that they may recognize in other people, too.If you and Carolyn are congenial, there is no reason why there shouldnot be a pleasant friendship between you, at least now.”
Betty looked thoughtful. “You mean that after a while their way ofliving might make a difference and that Carolyn would have differentfriends!”
“Perhaps. I don’t know, Betty. Separation sometimes makes it impossibleto keep in touch. But don’t let me start unhappy thoughts about this. Ishall do everything I can to let you have friends and a happy time. Youalways have; why not here in the city? Just so you have none that willhurt you. But you are not likely to choose that kind, I think. Pleaseremember, Betty, that you can’t touch coal without getting black.”
“But you ought to be friendly with everybody, oughtn’t you?”
“Certainly, so far as being kind–but let the older folks do thereforming, Betty. Well, all this about one innocent party? What shouldyou wear, Betty?”
“Just what I was going to ask you! But I’ll find out from Peggy. Theyare going to play tennis and things. I wish I had a real ‘sportcostume,’ for I don’t suppose they’ll wear ‘party dresses’ to an outdoorparty like this.”
“Perhaps we can fix something up, Betty. If you only hadn’t outgrowneverything so! We can’t afford new clothes right now, after all ourmoving and what we have had to buy to fix up this place. And socialprominence does not enter into our plans right at present.” Mrs. Leesmiled at Betty, who was sitting in a low chair now with her handsfolded on her knees.
“It never does,” laughed Betty, “but you usually can’t help having it. Ishould think it would be a rest not to be president of a club orresponsible for church things. Nevertheless, Mother, don’t hide yourlight under a bushel!”
With this advice, Betty jumped up to run out into the kitchen andpantry, for investigation of the cooky jar. Crumbs about showed thatDoris or Dick had been there before her, and she heard Amy Lou’schildish laughter coming from the back yard. But Betty’s lessons werehard for the next day and she returned to the living room to take one ofher texts back to her room and study a while by herself.