Part 24 (1/2)
”Oh, yes, Judy. I do not mean on the matter of her health. I refer to the way she is always-sort of hiding, and so afraid of strangers. Why does she do that?” the deep frown of vexation clouded Jane's pretty face.
”Of course, Jane, that is queer. But we have her as our special-friend,” Judith did not say ”charge,” ”and we are going to see her through. I don't claim to have more brains than you have, but I just want to support yours. I believe we should agree with the freshmen, a.s.sist them with their play, by notifying all the cla.s.ses that Helen the virtuoso, will play original music. This should put the quietus on the gossip, and incidentally const.i.tute a big ad for the show.”
Jane rested her pretty head in her hands. Even for one schooled in school troubles, the settling of this perplexity a.s.sumed baffling proportions.
Finally she looked up with an expression of decision. Judith smiled expectantly.
”All right, Judy. We will call the meeting and make the announcement.
Helen has agreed to take part in the play, and we have no reason-apparently-to think she would object to having her part in the program announced. Of course, I shall be careful to announce the entire program.”
”Oh, you angel child! Woe is me that my ankle prohibits a jig!” and Judith flung her arms around Jane-Jane regained in apparent happiness and good nature.
CHAPTER XXII-JANE ALLEN: CENTER
The day of the final practice game-that which was to decide which team would have the honor to play the Breslins, found every member of all teams fairly quivering with antic.i.p.ation.
Jane, Judith, Dozia and Drusilla held a little preliminary meeting at which the team's respective places were arranged. Judith, still incapacitated, was to serve as a scorer, and Norma Travers to take her place as forward.
”I am not afraid of any one but Dolorez Vincez,” remarked the ever-wise Drusilla. ”She has a form all her own.”
”Yes, Dol is a wonderful player,” agreed Jane. ”I wonder where she got such fine training.”
”She never speaks of her former school,” Dozia commented with a meaning not specified in her actual words.
”What do you mean, Dozia? Have you an idea there is a dark mystery, in the former school days, of the das.h.i.+ng Dol?” asked Jane.
”I would not be surprised if that just about described it, Janey,” said Dozia with a wag of her ”roped” head. Dozia's braids were the pride of her cla.s.smates, and the despair of Dozia. They were wonderful braids, like the milkmaids of old, and in color a challenging brown. Judith gave them that shade.
”Mercy me!” exclaimed Judith. ”Pray, we do not stumble on any more mysteries or our athletics may as well be shelved. It seems to me this year is mostly squabbles and mysteries.”
”Well, I did not intend to say anything about it,” confided Dozia. ”But I am sure, there is something more than queer about Dolorez. Naturally, one hates so to take exception to the girls who are foreigners. It always looks like prejudice.”
”Yes, that is the way I feel,” said Jane. ”But I have noticed Dolorez runs out a lot after dark, and just when the rest of us are busy at books. I heard her remark a couple of times she was hurrying to catch the mailman, but it seems strange she should so often be late with her letters.”
”Yes, and did you notice she does not come back quickly?” Dozia asked significantly.
”Oh, well, let us leave Dol to her own troubles. We have enough of our own for this afternoon,” suggested Jane. ”I guess we have everything arranged. Judith, your limp is perfectly fetching, just needs a stick and an eyegla.s.s.”
”Mean thing! When you sprain your throat I shall offer gum drops,”
flashed back Judith.
As a basketball team the girls were first-cla.s.s noise makers, and if there were any other ways of racketing than those operated, Bedlam itself must have held the copyright.
For this, the final tryout, the great gym was crowded with spectators, as well as with the units of the various teams. Teams One and Two were to play for place, and that place was to take up the big game with the Breslins-the event of greatest importance in the whole basketball season.
The players of most interest were the centers: Jane and Drusilla played center for Team One, and Marian and Dolores occupied the ring for Team Two. Jane was jumping center and Marian her opponent.