Part 34 (1/2)
Miss Sterling wiped her eyes.
”You know we're to go on a hike to-morrow,” said Polly tentatively.
”Ye-s,” feebly. Then, ”I'm not going.”
”Oh! why?”
”Don't want to! Should if it wasn't for that!”
”Good reason,” commented Polly, and she waited for a retort, but none came. ”I'm afraid David will fuss,” she said finally.
”I don't blame him one mite!” Miss Sterling broke out.
”Wh-why, you said--I hadn't done a thing!” Polly was plainly astonished.
”You haven't! But I don't blame David all the same.” Miss Sterling smiled a queer little equivocal smile.
”Well, you two are the hardest mortals to understand!” sighed Polly. ”I give it up!” She skipped toward the door. ”Be ready at two, to-morrow. Miss Nita!” she called back. ”If you're good, I'll let you walk with David.”
CHAPTER XXII
DANCING HIKERS
Juanita Sterling was in the little procession that started from the June Holiday Home at two o'clock. So was David Collins. They were nearly the whole line apart, and Polly skipped up and down between them.
”I'm so glad you were able to come!” she told Miss Sterling, squeezing her arm. ”I haven't had a chance to speak to David yet; but I must.” She sighed. ”Oh, dear, I hate fusses! He's with Leonora. Say, did you see Doodles? He had to go to the music store and have something done to his violin--he said it wouldn't take more than three minutes. He's going to catch up with us farther along; he can take a short cut across from Columbia Street.
Think of him and Blue coming clear down from Foxford just to go to walk with us!”
”It looks as if they wanted to come.”
Polly laughed.
”I suppose I mustn't speak to either of them, or David will be furious! I guess I'll go on and do as I like! There's Miss Crilly beckoning--I promised her I'd walk a little way with her. Good-bye for now!”
Miss Sterling saw Doodles come up a cross street, violin in hand, and run ahead to join Polly. She chuckled softly.
”Where are we bound for to-day?” queried Miss Mullaly in her ear.
”I don't know. Polly hasn't told me the route.”
A motor-car whizzed by.
”Wasn't that Mr. Randolph?”
”I think so,” answered Miss Sterling. Her tone was indifferent.
”I've seen that lady with him two or three times. Do you know who it is?”
”Miss Puddicombe, I believe, daughter of one of the Board.”