CHAPTER XII
THE SUMMONS
The prospective dinner at Vinton's at which Ruth Denton and ArlineThayer were to be guests of honor drove the unpleasant incident of themorning from Grace's mind for the time being. She had determined to keepher interview with Miss Duncan a secret from her friends. If it hadinvolved only herself, she might possibly have told Anne of it, butsince it concerned some one else, Grace's fine sense of honor forbadeher making even Anne her confidant in the matter. She could not helpspeculating a little concerning the identity of the other girl. She hadnot the remotest idea as to who she might be. Whoever she was, she couldnot have realized what a dishonorable thing she had done, was Grace'scharitable reflection. She wondered what Mabel would think when MissDuncan asked her to identify the theme as the one Grace had writtenduring that evening in Holland House.
"I'm going to stop thinking of it for the rest of the day," declaredGrace half aloud, as she dressed for dinner late that afternoon. Shestarted guiltily, glancing quickly to where Anne sat mending a tiny tearin her white silk blouse. Anne, who was fully occupied with her mending,made no comment. She was so used to Grace's habit of thinking aloud thatshe had no idle curiosity regarding her friend's thoughts. WhateverGrace wished her to know she would hear in due season.
"Miriam and Elfreda are not going with us, you know," said Grace as theywere about to leave their room.
"I didn't know it," commented Anne. "Why did they change their minds?"
"Miriam thinks you and I can do more toward restoring peace without herand Elfreda. She suspects that Ruth will satisfy Arline's curiosity andat the same time appease her wrath by telling what she refused to tellthat other night, provided there are not too many listeners."
"What a wise girl Miriam is!" exclaimed Anne admiringly. "I neverthought of that."
"Nor I," admitted Grace, "until she mentioned it. Then I saw the wisdomof it."
"Where are we to meet Ruth and Arline?" asked Anne. "Suppose both ofthem arrive at Vinton's before we do?"
"I thought of that, too," chuckled Grace, "so Arline is to come here,and Ruth is to wait for us at Vinton's. They can't possibly meet untilwe are there to manage matters. Arline ought to be here by this time.Shall we go downstairs and wait for her?"
"There's the door bell now," said Anne. "That must be Arline."
Her supposition proved correct. Just as they reached the foot of thestairs the maid admitted the fluffy-haired little girl.
"Hello!" she called merrily. "I'm strictly on time, you see."
"So are we," smiled Anne. "Shall we start at once?"
"Yes, indeed," emphasized Arline. "I'm starved. I wasn't prepared inGreek to-day, and rushed through my luncheon in order to snatch a fewminutes' study before class. I had my trouble for my pains, too. Thebell rang before it was my turn to recite. Wasn't that fortunate?"
"I should say so," agreed Grace. "If it had been I, Professor Martinwould have called on me first. You were born lucky, Daffydowndilly."
"I don't think so," replied Arline gloomily. "I have all kinds ofmiserable, unpleasant things to bother me."
Anne and Grace exchanged significant glances behind the little girl'sback. There was a chance for the success of their scheme. Arline wasevidently unhappy over her cavalier treatment of Ruth.
During the short walk to Vinton's all mention of Ruth's name was tacitlyavoided. Arline chattered volubly about the reception. She had notenjoyed herself particularly. She had taken a freshman by the name ofViolet Darby, who lived on the top floor of Morton House. She wasconsidered the freshman beauty.
"Oh, I remember her!" exclaimed Grace. "Gertrude Wells introduced me toher. I asked for a dance, but her card was full to overflowing. She isbeautiful. She has such wonderful golden hair, and her brown eyes are insuch striking contrast to her hair and fair complexion. She is awfullypopular, I suppose."
"Yes, the Morton House girls are all rushing her. I was surprised tothink she accepted my invitation," returned Arline.
"I don't think that was so very surprising," declared Grace bluntly."Arline Thayer is also a Morton House favorite."
"Violet is the reigning favorite just at present," rejoined Arline."It's her fatal beauty. She is a very nice girl, though. Not a bitsnobbish or conceited. Everyone in the house likes her. You must becomebetter acquainted with her."
"Here we are at Vinton's," announced Grace. "I ordered one of the alcovetables reserved for us."
As they made their way to the alcove a girl rose from her seat in theshadow to greet them. It was Ruth, and as Arline caught sight of her herbaby face grew dark. "How dared you?" she asked accusingly, turningtoward Grace. "You know we are not friends. I don't wish to see her. I'mgoing straight home. I suppose she planned all this. She has tried tomake up with me, but I shall never again be friends with her."
"Please listen to me, Arline," began Grace, taking the angry little girlby the arm and pulling her gently toward the alcove. Ruth had risen fromthe table, a look of mingled pain and bewilderment on her face.
"I didn't know Arline was to be here," she said tremulously. "Pleasetell her I didn't know it." She turned appealing eyes toward Grace.
"Suppose we sit down at our table and talk over this matter," suggestedGrace, in her most casual manner. Her calm gray eyes rested first onRuth, then traveled to Arline, who hesitated briefly, then with an angryshrug of her shoulders seated herself in the nearest chair. Gracemotioned Anne and Ruth to their chairs, then seating herself she saidgently: "Now, children, suppose we clear up some of these doubts andmisunderstanding by holding court? I am going to be the prosecutingattorney. Anne can be the counsel for the defense. Arline can borrow herfirst, then Ruth can have her. When all the evidence is in I shallappoint myself as judge and jury. It means a great deal of work for me,but the law must take its course. I, therefore, summon you both intocourt."
Grace Harlowe's Second Year at Overton College Page 12