The favors were insignifacant, as usual. It is not considered good taste
to have elaberate things for the school crowd. But when I think of the
silver things Sis always brought home, and remember that I took away
about six Christmas Stockings, a toy Baloon, four Whistles, a wooden
Canary in a cage and a box of Talcum Powder, I feel that things are not
fair in this World.
Hannah went with me, and in the motor she said: "Oh, Miss Barbara, do be careful. The Familey is that upset."
"Don't be a silly," I said. "And if the Familey is half as upset as I
am, it is throwing a fit at this minute."
We were early, of course. My mother beleives in being on time, and
besides, she and Sis wanted the motor later. And while Hannah was on her
knees taking off my carriage boots, I suddenly decided that I could not
go down. Hannah turned quite pale when I told her.
"What'll your mother say?" she said. "And you with your new dress and
all! It's as much as my life is worth to take you back home now, Miss
Barbara."
Well, that was true enough. There would be a Riot if I went home, and I
knew it.
"I'll see the Stuard and get you a cup of tea," Hannah said. "Tea sets
me up like anything when I'm nervous. Now please be a good girl, Miss
Barbara, and don't run off, or do anything foolish."
She wanted me to promise, but I would not, although I could not have run
anywhere. My legs were entirely numb.
In a half hour at the utmost I knew all would be known, and very likely
I would be a homless wanderer on the earth. For I felt that never, never
could I return to my Dear Ones, when my terrable actions became known.
Jane came in while I was sipping the tea and she stood off and eyed me
with sympathy.
"I don't wonder, Bab!" she said. "The idea of your Familey acting so
outragously! And look here" She bent over me and whispered it. "Don't
trust Carter too much. He is perfectly in fatuated with Leila, and he
will play into the hands of the enemy. BE CAREFUL."
"Loathesome creature!" was my response. "As for trusting him, I trust no
one, these days."
"I don't wonder your Faith is gone," she observed. But she was talking
with one eye on a mirror.