Part 6 (1/2)

CHAPTER VI: FRIENDS AND FUN

Had Betty Lee imagined any faintly romantic attraction to her dainty self on the part of Ted Dorrance, she would have been disappointed during these first weeks in the new school. He always spoke when they met in the halls provided he saw her; but he was usually with other boys and very much engrossed in whatever he was discussing with them.

Hurrying crowds on the way to cla.s.ses had little interest for Betty as well. She, too, was absorbed by the busy and interesting life, and soon had friends among the girls in her cla.s.ses.

Betty, though friendly, was by nature not inclined to make close friends immediately. But girls that recite together and have the same lessons will find much in common. Betty's good recitations and her hand that went up often to answer the questions of different teachers were sufficient introduction to her cla.s.smates, who heard her name, as she heard theirs, when she was called upon to recite. She cheerfully lent a pencil or pen for a moment, or answered some question before cla.s.s about the lesson, or sat upon her desk, opposite some similarly perched girl, to chat about coming events. There were ”hundreds of freshmen” and that literally; but they resolved themselves into the comparative few with whom she recited in her different cla.s.ses.

Long before the Thanksgiving visit, which she antic.i.p.ated from her old home chum, she was accustomed to school and work and thoroughly liked many of the girls, especially a few who were ”very chummy” with her, she told her mother, and sat with her at lunch, or waited for her after cla.s.s, or planned their work or recreation together.

Louise Madison, she found to be a senior, president of the Girls'

Athletic Club, a large a.s.sociation, indeed, consisting of all the girls who ”went in” for athletics. A certain amount of gym work was required, but one could take more, to be sure. Yet Betty's parents were a little hesitant just yet; and not knowing the wisdom of the teachers in charge, preferred that Betty wait a little, except in swimming, which her father said she ought to know as well as possible, so that she could ”swim to Europe” in case something happened to the s.h.i.+p before it reached port.

At that remark, soberly delivered, the family had laughed, but Doris asked in good earnest, ”When are we going, Papa?”

”Aw, Dodie,” said d.i.c.k, ”can't you tell a joke when you hear one?”

”Well, we probably _shall_ go some day,” airily said Doris, provoked at herself for having spoken too soon, and none too well pleased with her twin. ”You think you're very smart!”

”Doris,” quietly said her mother with a reproving shake of her head, and trouble was avoided.

The freshman to whom Betty was most attracted, and that very soon, was Carolyn Gwynne, a bright, warm-hearted, generous girl, alive to everything and enthusiastic about many things, yet with a certain poise that Betty decided was due to the fact that she had always lived in the city. Her pretty brown head often bobbed along by Betty's fair one and her face was alight with various expressions as she told Betty ”all she knew and more,” as she herself said.

”Everybody likes Carolyn,” said Peggy Pollard, who had seen the grades through with Carolyn. ”It's because Carolyn goes out of her way to do things for people. She has a lovely family, too, and that makes a difference, don't you think, Betty?”

”Oh, yes. Wouldn't it be terrible not to be happy at home?”

”It certainly would.”

Peggy herself was a ”darling girl,” Betty thought, prettily plump, like Carolyn, though shorter than either Carolyn or Betty. Her locks that fell around her shoulders just now, being allowed to grow and variously trained on different days, were of that dark brown red that belongs with what seems to be the same color of eyes and a pinky complexion. But Peggy did not go without a hat as much as the other girls, since freckles ”were one thing she wasn't going to have!” If she could only _tan_ decently now! ”You have a dimple on one cheek, Betty Lee,” said Peggy, ”and Carolyn has one on the other. Those cheeks ought to be on one person!”

”Oh, aren't you funny, Peggy Pollard!” exclaimed Betty. ”Carolyn's cheek added to my cheek,”then they both laughed, thinking of another meaning for ”cheek.” They were in a mood for silliness anyhow, Peggy said, for they were on their way to the auditorium for a ”pep” meeting. The occasion, of course, was fall foot, ball. Enthusiasm must be aroused for the ”Lions,” soon to fight their first battles on the gridirons of various schools in the city and suburbs. But Betty did have two dimples.

In common with the rest of the scholars of Lyon High, Betty and her friends were delighted to have an auditorium session, not only for what usually went on, but for the cutting of recitation hours!

”Carolyn's going to have a garden party, Betty,” Peggy continued. ”Has she told you about it?”

”NoI hope I'll be invited, though,” laughed Betty, climbing the stairs now for the recitation room and her freshman locker, just secured in the last few days. ”My, isn't it nice not to have to carry your books around any more!”

”Yes,” and Peggy slid her hand up along the bra.s.s railing of the stairs.

”But I imagine Carolyn just decided about it last night. All their fall flowers are so beautiful now. They have a wonderful big place, you know.

Have you anything else to do Sat.u.r.day?”

”No, only some shopping down town with Mother. I could put that off. She has a lot of things to do for d.i.c.k and Doris.”

”You might get your shopping done in the morning, perhaps. I'll tell you what cars to take, though it might be that Carolyn could come for you, or somebody call for you in their car.”

”Oh, I could get there, I think, if it is not too far from the car line.

I'm getting used to going around now.”

”It isn't so easy sometimes, even for those of us that have always lived here, and our fathers and mothers like to be careful of us, of course.”