Part 22 (2/2)
”I like dolls,” said Nan, placidly.
”Huh! I believe you do,” cried Bess. ”I wonder you don't litter up our room with 'em--and doll clothes and baby carriages and cradles,” and Bess laughed gaily, with no idea of how close she had come to touching upon Nan's secret.
Dr. Prescott did not make the chums pay for the lost canoe, so Nan, relieved of the necessity for doing so, decided not to tell her father and mother about the canoe accident, as she knew they would worry needlessly. Nor did careless Bess tell her parents. Bess had a strong personal reason for keeping the adventure a secret. She did not want to put any obstacle in the way of the purchase of the boat she was teasing for.
Nan was writing long and enthusiastic letters to Scotland. In return she received from both ”Momsey” and ”Papa Sherwood” most encouraging reports of the progress of the court proceedings over Mr. Hughie Blake's will, under the terms of which Mrs. Sherwood was to receive considerable wealth. It seemed that the controversy was practically finished, and Nan's parents would soon be coming home. In one of these letters, received early in the school year, Nan found a five pound note ”to do just what she pleased with.”
”Oh! what'll you do with so much money?” gasped Bess. ”And all in a bunch. Twenty-five dollars! Why, Nan, your father must be richer than mine!”
”They know I haven't had much heretofore to spend extravagantly,”
responded Nan, her eyes twinkling, ”while you have been extravagant all your life.”
”Well! My father never gives me such a sum all at once for spending money. But you're so cautious, Nan. Ugh! 'sensible!' I hate that word!”
”So do I dislike it,” said Nan, briskly. ”I don't think I am any more sensible than other girls--unless I'm more so than you, Bess,” and she laughed at her chum.
”Well! what will you do with your money?” asked Bess. ”That will tell the story.”
”I--don't know.”
”Have a regular big junket.”
”What? Treat the whole school to ice-cream?” laughed Nan.
”Ho! ice-cream melts too fast. It's all over too soon,” returned Bess, with a frown.
”Buy lollypops, then--or jaw-breakers? They last longer.”
”Say! this is no time to joke. It's serious,” declared Bess, putting her mind to the matter of the disburs.e.m.e.nt of her chum's windfall.
”All right,” agreed Nan. ”The Committee on Entertainment will now go into executive session. What's your idea, Elizabeth, about buying every one of the two hundred girls at Lakeview Hall a twelve-and-a-half cent rubber doll?”
”Doll? Pah! your mind runs on dolls, Nan Sherwood. You are certainly getting into your second childhood,” said Bess, with disgust.
”Perhaps,” admitted Nan.
”Do let's be serious,” Bess begged again. ”What is the most popular thing among the girls?”
”Those new side-combs!” exclaimed Nan.
”Yes--and I'm going to have a pair just as soon as mother sends me my next spending money.”
”I'll buy you a pair,” said generous Nan, quickly.
”No, you won't, silly! I'll not let you fritter away any of that perfectly splendid five pound note in foolishness.”
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