Part 21 (1/2)
”Who was with the would-be-murderess of innocent pedestrians?” Jerry questioned sarcastically.
”A freshman from Alston Terrace,” Marjorie answered. ”I never saw her with Miss Walbert before. I have seen her once or twice with Miss Forbes.”
”She must be fond of extremes,” commented Jerry. ”Miss Run-'em-down Walbert has a horrible reputation on the campus as a driver. I wish Doctor Matthews would rise up in his might and ban her as a no-good motorist and nuisance. The Hamiltonites would tender him a laurel wreath, or a diamond medal, or something quite nice,” finished Jerry with a chuckle.
”If it were she alone who would be punished, I shouldn't care. I told Miss Susanna she deserved to be reported. It was the innocent I was thinking of; not the guilty. Cars are a convenience as well as a pleasure when they are in the hands of girls like Leila, Vera, Helen and some others. I shall write a note to Miss Susanna and try to explain myself. I can't bear to be misjudged by her. Oh, dear! It is just one more hard thing to do that I don't like to do.”
”Don't write it tonight then,” advised Jerry. ”You are still too close to your trouble. Wait a day or two before you write.”
”I suppose I'd better,” Marjorie listlessly agreed.
”Yes; you had.” Jerry adopted a purposely lugubrious tone.
”Stop making fun of my sorrow.” Marjorie could not resist a faint giggle at Jerry's ridiculous imitation of herself.
”Aha! That's more like it. Now I propose we shut up shop and go to Baretti's for dinner. I've been hungrily thinking of fried chicken and hot waffles with maple syrup this P. M. They aren't going to have 'em here for dinner, either. There's to be beefsteak _en ca.s.serole_, which is all very nice, but my mind is on chicken and waffles.”
”I guess I'd rather have chicken, too. I'm beginning to be hungry in spite of my troubles.” Marjorie rose from her seat near the window.
”You're a true comforter, Jeremiah. Wait until I bathe my face and smooth my hair and I'll go anywhere you say.”
”Fine!” returned Jerry cheerily. ”It will be the first time you and I ever went out alone to dine. The girls have always been with us.
Nowadays Ronny is so popular I hardly catch a glimpse of her on the campus. But the five little old Lookouts always congregate at ten-fifteen every night. That helps.”
Jerry referred to a custom begun only that year. The great popularity of the five girls, which had been steadily increasing since their freshman year, served to separate them during their leisure hours from each and one another. Muriel had proposed they gather every night at ten-fifteen for a brief chat before retiring.
Arrived at Baretti's, Marjorie's pensive mood still clung to her. Jerry made no direct effort to dispel it. She knew it would have to wear away of its own accord. Baretti's delicious fried chicken and extra crisp waffles was a favorite order with the Hamilton students. Engaged presently in eating this palatable fare, Marjorie started in sudden surprise at an unfamiliar voice at her elbow. She glanced up from her plate to meet the eyes of the freshman she had seen that afternoon in Elizabeth Walbert's car.
”Please don't think me intrusive, Miss Dean,” the freshman was saying.
”I noticed you when you came in and I was so anxious to learn whether the woman with you today on the pike was injured by Miss Walbert's car.
I begged her to turn around and go back, but she wouldn't. She said she was sure that she hadn't come within several feet of the woman. It looked to me as though she were almost under the wheels. Of course, I only caught a glimpse of both of you, so I couldn't really judge exactly what happened.”
The girl paused, looking signally embarra.s.sed as she met the clear steady gaze of Marjorie's eyes.
”The woman was not run over. In trying to get out of the car's way she fell. As she is an old lady, she was considerably jarred by the fall.
Her coat was badly splashed with mud.” Marjorie delivered the information with impersonal courtesy.
”I'm glad to hear she wasn't run over,” sighed the other girl, looking genuine relief. ”Was-was she a relative of yours?”
”No; a friend.”
”I hope you don't hold me to blame in any way, Miss Dean. It is the first time I ever rode in Miss Walbert's car, and it will be the last. I was waiting for a taxicab in town and she came along and offered to ride me back to the campus. I am Miss Everest, a fres.h.i.+e. I don't know what you think of me. I am awfully concerned about your elderly friend.
Anyway, I feel better for having seen you and cleared myself as best I can.”
Marjorie could not overlook the evident honesty of the apology. The half appealing expression in the freshman's eyes did not escape her notice.
”I do not blame you, in the least, Miss Everest,” she said quickly. ”You were not driving the car. I blame Miss Walbert severely. Since coming to Hamilton she has had a great deal of trouble over her driving, for which she is entirely to blame. I do not know what the outcome of this affair will be for her. My friend is very angry and may take it up with Doctor Matthews. I speak frankly. If Miss Walbert receives a summons she may name you as having been in her car when she so nearly ran down my friend.”
”Oh-h-h!” The e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.i.o.n breathed consternation. ”I shouldn't like that. Still, I am not afraid. I can only tell the truth.”