CHAPTER XII
COULD BETTY BE STUBBORN?
The independent girl who likes to follow her own opinions and drawher own conclusions is likely to make a few errors of judgment.These come largely from lack of experience; and that lack ofexperience is the chief reason for the safety to young people infollowing the direction of their elders in important matters.
On the other hand, as girls and boys grow older, they must be thrownupon their own responsibility in many matters and learn wisdomthereby. The holding of high ideals and the testing of action,conduct and people by them is the greatest safeguard a girl or boycan have. And when it comes to people, most important relation ofall, while friendliness and confidence are fine, indeed, and asuspicious attitude to be deeply deplored, when it comes to beingled by others, or to being drawn from those high ideals or evenminor convictions, a fine reserve is very necessary. Sometimes it isbest to withdraw altogether from a friendship rather than be drawninto what is either doubtful or wrong.
Betty Lee's independence was not of the aggressive variety, but shedid like to come to her own conclusions, for which she alwaysthought she had grounds in the facts. Betty was a keen littleobserver and thought about many things, a very good habit. It wasusually quite safe to be "easy-going" and friendly, and as Betty hadthe background of a safe home life and a circle of friends of herown sort, there was very little in social relations to trouble her,and oh, what good times there were! These were connected with theschool affairs or with her friends and were sandwiched in betweenmuch hard study and her fondness for athletics, with its variedinterests.
The friendship which had so distressed Doris had been adjustedwithout much difficulty, Doris finally taking her mother into herconfidence. As Betty had suggested, Stacia was invited for a visitand made much of, with the friendliness, if dignified, which wascharacteristic of that home. If Stacia found the entertainment dull,she showed no evidence of it and told Doris privately that shethought her mother and father "wonderful."
But as there was no real community of interests between the girls,by spring Stacia's devotion to Doris had waned. Another girlreceived Stacia's confidences, to the great relief of Doris, whomeanwhile had been adding other friends to her list. And it had allcome about naturally without any necessity for any coolness orunkindness on the part of Doris.
Doris herself was taking on little grown-up airs and was very fussyat this stage about what she wore and how she looked. Dick's stillcareless boyishness annoyed her and her remarks about his tablemanners or general state of oblivion about the state of his collaror tie were having more effect than any reminders on the part of hismother. Dick cared what his twin thought; and if Doris, too, thoughthe must spruce up, he supposed he'd have to. All this was not loston Betty and her mother, but aside from some natural amusement overremarks exchanged by the twins; they gave no sign of their interest.
Betty, it was true, was almost too full of her own affairs to thinkmuch about her family except at mealtime. Every evening there werelessons, whatever could not be managed in the school study hours.Time after school was taken with meetings or practice or someathletic line. Betty usually put in one half-hour of violin practicebefore the evening dinner, for the orchestra was working on the bigthings for their great concert, given by all the musicalorganizations.
Life was very interesting just now. The birds were singing again.Hikes had begun. And a new member of the junior class was very muchinterested in Betty. Just at this time senior affairs were absorbingChet and some of the other boys that Betty knew best and meanwhilethis new lad was introduced to Betty by Lucia Coletti one day afterclass.
"Betty," said Lucia, "I want you to know our new classmate, JackHuxley. You heard him recite in Latin and Math, didn't you?"
"I'm glad to meet you," murmured Betty, as Jack courteously said"Miss Lee" and bowed. "Yes, Lucia; I noticed that. Are you finishingthe junior year with us?"
"Yes. My parents have recently moved here. I have been to school inthe East, but that is too far away, my mother thinks, since we camehere."
Betty moved along between Lucia and Jack for a few moments ofconversation; then they separated. This was the beginning of theacquaintance. Jack was a fine-looking boy with dark eyes, a pleasantmouth, a quantity of very dark brown hair which he wore in theprevailing style back from his forehead. Betty was rather impressedby his courteous manners, though Carolyn did not fancy him and saidthat he was too sure of himself. But he was a good student and Bettyfound herself defending him to several of the girls who were alittle critical after a time. But perhaps that was because he madeno effort to be friendly. Betty did not know. The boy with whom heseemed to chum was "wild," Mary Emma Howland said.
Lucia, in telling how she came to know him, said that his motherused to be a friend of her mother's at school. "They are beinginvited everywhere," said Lucia, "and Jack is, too. They live in ahotel now, but are moving soon into one of those fine houses thatare being finished."
From this Betty concluded that the Huxleys moved in what was knownas "society" and her first social meeting with Jack was at a littleparty at Lucia's, one quite "informal" and hastily planned, Luciasaid. There Jack paid rather particular attention to Betty and afterthat she met him so often at school, when he would fall in besideher after class, or be at the entrance of the grounds to accompanyher to the door; or join her after school, that she knew it was noaccident.
Once Chet dashed out of the auditorium door after practice of thejunior and senior orchestras together, to find Jack and Betty inconversation just outside in the hall. "Say, Betty, I have to seeyou," began Chet. "Oh, excuse me. I don't want to interrupt, but Ihave a message." Chet looked at Jack and Jack looked at him. What inthe world was that new junior doing? Was he hanging around Betty?"Hello, Jack," Chet finished.
"There is nothing important, Chet," sweetly replied Betty, turningin friendly fashion to Chet. She was quite aware of the instantantagonism between the boys. But Chet needn't think that he ownedher! She _liked_ Jack.
"I'll be waiting outside, Betty," said Jack with cool politeness inhis attitude. "The message may be private."
"What's that chap around for?" queried Chet looking after Jack, whowas sauntering toward the entrance door. "He doesn't belong toeither orchestra, band or glee club."
As no reply could be expected, Betty said nothing but continued tolook pleasantly at Chet and wait. He lost no time but went on atonce to explain.
"Say, Betty, it's Mother that wants you to help her out. There'sgoing to be doings at our church, some sort of a spring festival orsomething, and Mother says she hadn't any more sense than to sayshe'd be responsible for a booth. So she's hunting up a few prettygirls she knows--that's Mother's expression, not mine--and wanted meto ask you if you would help her out. It won't be hard, just todress up in some sort of a costume, I guess."
"That's terribly clear, Chet," laughingly said Betty, "but tell yourmother that I'll do anything she wants me too."
"Good for you. I knew you would, and she wants you to come out fordinner tomorrow. Of course I'll hate that a lot! We'll drive aroundafter you, Ted and I, most likely. Is that O.K.?"
"Yes. I'll get my lessons ahead, so I can spare the time."
"Count on the whole evening, Betty. We'll do something or other. Nowhave you a regular date with that chap? I rather expected to put youon the car myself."
"I haven't any date at all, Chet, but it would be awkward, wouldn'tit, since Jack said he was waiting?"
"I suppose it would. So long, then Betty. Say, Betty----," Chetturned back hesitatingly. "I'd go a little slow with Jack Huxley.What little I know about him isn't so good."
"What is it, Chet? He's smart and a perfect gentleman whenever I seehim."
"Oh, I don't suppose there's much out of the way. He runs with apretty wild crowd, though, and he hasn't been here long."
"Well, I scarcely think that he would be invited by the countess toa party for Lucia if he weren't all rig
ht." Betty spoke with somedecision and Chet looked at her soberly.
"Don't you think so? Maybe not. Did you meet him there?"
"Yes. Good-bye, Chet. I'll be ready tomorrow night and tell yourmother that I'd love to dress up and be in a booth."
Betty, who rather regretted a bit of steel that she had put into hertone before, made this farewell as friendly as possible. But Chet'sanswering smile could scarcely be called one and he hurried down thehall to another exit, in order to avoid Jack, Betty supposed. Oh,well, she couldn't help it. Jack _must_ be all right! Why, he was aperfect dear, as Mathilde called him. Not that Mathilde's opinion ofany one would be a recommendation, however. He did have somedifferent ideas of things and they had had a few discussions, notabout anything very important, but about social life and kinds ofgirls and boys and the "puritanic ideas" of some parents. That wasJack's expression, and Betty had wondered if her own parents _could_be a little too strict sometimes.
Anyhow, Jack was a nice friend. He had invited her to his birthdayparty at the Huxley new home and she certainly was going with himwhen he invited her. Chet need not think that he could tell her whatsociety to choose. She had been to things with Budd and Brad andChauncey through the year and she simply was not going to let Chettake her to every party the way it had been for a while. This wouldbe an interesting party, for Jack had just told her that he was notinviting many from the high school. "It will be mostly from the oldfamilies that Mother knows," he had said, "and you will receive anote from her. But I wanted you to be sure to save the date."
Jack was waiting for her on the steps and joined her with a touch ofhis cap and that attentive way of bending over her that was so nice.Jack seemed to be considerably older than some of the junior boys.He must be all right! That story about his having been dismissedfrom the eastern school was all nonsense. Of course his motherwanted him near her!
Betty was so put out that when Jack asked her, as he had before, ifshe couldn't ride down town with him and have something good, sherecklessly told him "she'd love to," though she knew that her motherwas expecting her home at a certain time, or at least expecting toknow where she was. It _was_ nonsense. She would go home when shegot ready. But she _would_ telephone her mother from wherever theywent.
"All right, Jack, I feel in the humor to do something. I can'ttelephone Mother from here now, but I can down town, can't I?"
"Of course, if you want to. But it's foolish in my opinion. Mymother doesn't expect to keep track of me."
"Oh, well, my father says it's safer nowadays. If I don't turn up,they want to know where to start looking for me, you know."
Betty laughed and so did Jack, taking with light hearts theconditions that we are now providing for the younger generations.Jack said something about turning out the police or calling up thehospitals and conducted Betty to where, on a side street, he hadparked a small but shining little roadster. "Isn't this a dandynow?" asked Jack as he helped Betty into the car. "It's a new one.I'm not supposed to take it to school much, but I was going to getyou into it if I could!"
"Are you a safe driver?" laughed Betty, settling back. She was gladthat she did not have her books along this time.
"I'm a wonder," said Jack, in the same light tone. "I'm alsoold enough to drive. What would you do, Betty? I'd like to getinto business pretty soon, as my education has been more orless--um--interrupted. Yet college would be fun. I didn't like thatpreparatory school and the old fellow at the head of it didn't likeme much, either. I'll put in another year in high school, thendecide."
"If you can go to the university or to some college, Jack, I thinkyou'd be almost foolish not to do it. It isn't as if you were a poorstudent. You've brains."
"Thanks, Betty." Jack went a little faster than Betty reallyenjoyed, but he seemed to have perfect control of his machine andwas skilful in traffic. "Are you going to the university?"
"I don't know. Mother talks about sending me away for a year or two,to give me the experience, but that is only talk so far. Perhapsthey can't do it."
"Go to the university and then I will. I'll show you some goodtimes." Then Jack gave an impatient exclamation and shot around acar that was impeding progress. "See me get through that, Betty?"
"I think you took a chance, Jack."
"A good driver can afford to take chances, and what's life without afew chances?"
Betty felt exhilarated in the present but she knew that Jack'sphilosophy was not a good one, and none of the boys she knew wouldhave used in her presence the exclamation which Jack had employed.He did not apologize for it, either.
But Betty and Jack had much in common after all, for both weregifted mentally and there was much in school life to discuss. Jacktook her to one of the most attractive tea rooms in the city andthere Betty met another boy and girl whom Jack knew. They sat at thesame table and had all sorts of delectable things of a variety thatonly school boys and girls, hungry from their last mental efforts,would choose. There was no good opportunity to telephone. Bettydecided to let it go. Probably her mother would not worry, since sheknew of the orchestra practice and other things that sometimesdetained Betty.
She felt hesitant about ordering at Jack's expense, but Jackinsisted on a certain choice of the different possibilities. Animmense club sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate "went to the spot,"the other girl said and Betty agreed with her, though she was morereserved in her speech. Only with Carolyn and her girl friends didBetty speak impulsively. But this girl was as free with both theboys and kept them all laughing with bright if not altogetherrefined speeches. Yet she was quite evidently from a home of wealthand intelligence, from the correct language she used, as well asfrom her gay dress.
"No, I'm out of school right now," said Mabel Randall in answer to apolite question from Betty. "Yes, Tommy, angel that you are, I couldeat another sandwich with you, very small, you know. I'll have aSwiss chocolate sundae for dessert. That is pos-i-tive-ly all!"
Both boys bought a box of candy each as they escorted the girls totheir respective machines. Tommy gave his immediately to Mabel, whocarelessly murmured thanks, but Jack kept his under his arm tillBetty was in the roadster, when he tossed it into her lap with a"There now, how's that for a nibble or two? I'm going to give you awhirl through the parks before I take you home."
"Oh, that would be lovely, Jack," said Betty. "Everything is sopretty now; but really I can't this time. Look at your watch and seehow near dinner time it is, and Mother _will_ be worried if I amlate for that. I tell you what you do, Jack. I think Father will beready to start home about now. Suppose you take me around to hisoffice and drop me there." Betty was thinking that she reallypreferred not to go through the late afternoon traffic with Jack, atthe rate he drove. This was a great idea.
Jack demurred, but said that if she really wanted to go to theoffice he would take her there. "But I'll not leave you unless yourdad is actually there."
That was a nice bit of thoughtfulness, Betty told him; and when theyreached the office building after finding a convenient place topark, Jack took the elevator with her and in a few minutes wasintroduced to Betty's father. That Jack made a good impression uponhim was quite evident, though it was Mr. Lee's custom to be cordialto Betty's friends.
"If it isn't according to rules for Betty not to report at homeright after school, Mr. Lee, blame me. I persuaded her that she wastired enough of school and practice to take a ride down town in mynew roadster. She couldn't resist it when she saw it--could you,Betty?"
"It is certainly a little beauty, and I did want to get away frombooks and everything. I left my violin at school, Father. We haveanother practice, right in the middle of schooltime!"
"I am glad to meet you," said Mr. Lee to Jack, "and I thank you fortaking care of my girl and delivering her safely. I hope to see youagain."
Jack, who was standing with his cap in his hand, gave Mr. Lee acomical smile. "I suspect you'll be seeing a good deal of me sooneror later, sir."
Then the lad left the office after shaking hands agai
n with theolder man who had offered his hand. "Now what, I wonder, did yourfriend mean by that!" queried Mr. Lee of Betty in a teasing pretenseof not understanding.