Читать книгу Betty Wales, Junior. A Story for Girls онлайн

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“Roberta,” said Madeline with mock solemnity, “aren’t you forgetting what Georgia owes to me?”

Roberta’s sense of justice was very strong. She hesitated an instant, then submitted to the propriety of Madeline’s claim. “Yes, Madeline,” she said, “I forgot. I know—that is, it’s all right for Madeline to see it, Mary. I shouldn’t say so if I weren’t sure.”

Madeline retired triumphantly to a corner with the manuscript, of which she meant to read just enough to tease Roberta about later; and Betty, who felt that the presidential spread was being too much engrossed with the affairs of an obscure freshman, turned the thoughts of “The Merry Hearts” into safer channels.

But Mary’s pensive melancholy persisted, in spite of Katherine’s raillery and Roberta’s kindly attentions. Mary took much satisfaction in being what she called “a scholar and a gentleman.” She was very proud of her place on the “Argus” board, and even prouder of the consideration paid her by her “little friends,” as she dubbed the rest of “The Merry Hearts.” Now she felt that she had forfeited their respect, and at the same time played false to the trust which an “Argus” editorship involved. She did no justice to the creamy marsh-mallow fudge, took no part in the gay banter that gives the Harding spread its peculiar charm. And Roberta watched her with growing compunction. Mary was her idol. She had meant to win her point, but she had never contemplated hurting Mary’s feelings. She stood it as long as she could, then strolled casually over to Madeline’s corner, and the two held a whispered conference.