Part 23 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXI-THE TWO JAYS
Alone, Jane pondered seriously over the new aspect her problem had a.s.sumed. Never had so absurd a story gained more prompt impetus-the result, presumably, of well-laid plans, the work of Marian Seaton. In her own generosity Jane would have made allowance even for her proclaimed enemy, but the width and breadth, to say nothing of the depths of this propaganda, were beyond her ken.
”Strange,” she reflected, ”Marian always makes a confidant of someone who, herself, is unlike our other girls.”
This ”someone” was just now Dolorez Vincez, the South American girl, obviously much older than her companions at Wellington, and certainly of an entirely different social cast. Dolorez had made things unpleasant for Helen on more than one occasion, although she seemed to avoid openly meeting her. An unseen power operating against her had been most effective.
”I must talk to Judy,” Jane decided. ”No use my going woozy all alone.
Better have company,” she wisely decided.
”That's the worse of an ankle,” Judith greeted her chum. ”One can't take it along and leave it at home at the same time. There is mine now, perfectly good for limping to the hard-working cla.s.srooms, and utterly useless for hiking, dancing and sprinting. How's the big game coming on? Sit down, dear. I don't need every cus.h.i.+on, and all the chairs.”
Jane dropped into the chair indicated by Judith, who still hugged her ankle and ”enjoyed” the ill health of its injured condition. As her friends had predicted Judith was the recipient of much fudge, all sorts of books, and even hot-house flowers, purloined from chapel. She had been nursing the foot for some days, and took to it so naturally, Jane feared for a reasonably prompt convalescence.
”Big game is coming along finely, but how is the foot, Judy? Won't be able to play, will you?”
”No, worse luck. But I can Ump or Referee or Coach-anything to be in.
Think of losing that straw ride out to Breslin! And I'll bet a big spread after it! Janey, put me down-quick for a couple of non-combative jobs.”
”Of course, Judy, you will be along. And I must report progress on the practice work, but I want to speak of something really serious.”
”Spare me!” Judith mocked her words with the usual funny grab at her head. ”I am not in a serious mood.”
”I don't blame you, if you have emptied all those fudge boxes lately. I should think you would be in a ruminative mood. But Judy, listen. It's about dear little Helen. Something must be done.”
”I know what must be done,” and Judith was instantly all serious and attentive. ”We should have hateful Marian Seaton expelled from this college, as a trouble maker. Did you ever hear of one girl carrying that sort of thing on through three mortal years, without paying for it? I thought last year I sensed reform, but it was only a case of latent or dormant activity. It has broken out now in so many places we can't keep track of them.”
”But Judy, we have no grounds to ask for her expulsion. She has not done anything in absolute violation of the rules.”
”Exactly it. She always manages to cover her tracks. Well, what is the particular new trouble?”
Jane reviewed Helen's visit, and then told of the appeal made by Clarisse. She included the fact that Helen had promised not to try to leave Wellington, which was one point gained, and one of particular importance.
”The poor little child,” sympathized Judith. ”To think they have gone after her like that! Would you think girls, claiming to be Americans, could be so cold hearted?”
”I am not sure it is a purely American work, that is, North American,”
said Jane. ”I rather suspect Dolorez Vincez is at the bottom of it.”
”Oh, that reminds me, Red Head dear. Look out for that Dolorez. She is not what she pretends to be, and she is determined to steal our game from us to-morrow, so that her side will have the big battle with Breslin. I heard her say she would do it. Something about a little trick up her sleeve. And even Marian warned her. It was the other afternoon after practice-just as the girls carried me out. They-Marian and Dolorez-spoke a trifle louder than they thought, where they hid in the corner, sneering as I pa.s.sed.”
”I don't see what trick she could play.”
”Oh, no, that's just it. We could not see. But watch her every minute, and then the trick may pop out. She's a wonderful player, by the way.”
”Marvellous. I never saw a girl with such strength. She is foreign of course. That may account for it.”
”Also she is older. That, too, may account for it. It looks to me as if friend Dolorez has had a lot of experience in basketball as well as in-gossip.”