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 ship 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."

"Will there be a large party? I might meet some of the girls somewhere, wherever you have to change cars."

"Yes, probably you could. Why, I think that there will be all our crowd and some others we don't see so much of, real nice girls, you know."

Betty was glad to be included in "our crowd," but there was no further opportunity for conversation. Boys and girls were pouring into the different entrances of the auditorium, seeking their regular seats, which had been a.s.signed.

"Oh, look!" exclaimed Peggy. "We're going to have the band! Say, don't they look fine in their uniforms? Well, 'byesorry I can't sit by you."

The high school band did look resplendent. As Betty took her seat they struck up a lively popular air and played it through while the school was a.s.sembling. They were on the platform, where the princ.i.p.al stood beside a chair, probably thinking that his presence would have more effect if he stood. And the presence of the dignified princ.i.p.al always did have a calming effect. No nonsense or disrespect was ever shown to him, for the very good reason that he would not tolerate it. A school of this size, and a city school, with its variety of composition, called for no weakness in the men and women who had charge of its discipline, though in this school all due consideration was given to the rights and needs of its pupils.

It was a pretty scene. Betty was glad that she sat on the end of one row of seats, for she could see so much better. Eagerly she leaned forward, not to miss any part of scene or action. But before they were seated, they all turned as usual, at the signal from the princ.i.p.al, to salute the flag, whose bright stripes and stars showed at the princ.i.p.al's right. Already the pupils were trained to say in excellent unison the phrases which pledged them to the flag of their country and that "for which it stands." Together they made the right gestures at the right time and Betty had not gotten over feeling thrilled to be a part of so great a company, or over the patriotic tie that made them one.

Carolyn sat not far away, in front of Betty, and as soon as they were seated she leaned back to nod at Betty and form with her lips the words, "I want to see you after this."

Betty nodded her understanding. She _was_ going to be invited to the garden party, she thought. But what was the princ.i.p.al saying? He sat down, after making a few announcements and handing the conduct of the meeting over to some boy, whom Betty supposed the president of the Boys'

Athletic a.s.sociation, though she had not caught the last words of the princ.i.p.al. The program was not so different from that of the meetings which Betty had attended in the little school at home, when there was a general gathering in honor of athletics, but oh, how much bigger everything was.

The band was several times as large, and how well they played! It must be something to learn to play in a city where there is a symphony orchestra, Betty thought. Ambition stirred. She just _must_ belong to one of the musical organizations of the school, some time if not now!

Now the yell leader performed, leading the school in different yells for the team and school. Betty's face was one wide smile. These were new and funny yells. The team had to come forward and some speeches where made.

Some of the boys were shy and awkward; others, used to it, said their say with greater freedom. Some funny expressions were used. Betty thought of how they must grate on the ears of her strict English teacher who had been particularly severe in regard to slang at their last recitation. What would she say if she heard some of the things that Betty had been surprised to hear girls say, girls that seemed to be nice and were undoubtedly attractive? Such girls in the village at home were not welcomed to intimate friendship and as a rule belonged to a cla.s.s careless and unrefined at home.

Little thoughts like these ran through Betty's young head as she applauded with the rest and tried the yells, such fun to say; though she did not know some of them. But they were easy to get, "crazy" as they were. But the wilder the better, when it comes to athletics, or so the modern rooters seem to think. The band indulged in funny little crashes at quick signals from the yell leader. Betty, with one eye on the princ.i.p.al, saw him smile occasionally. All this was allowed; but, after all, it was an orderly performance, if wildly enthusiastic. "My, they all know how to do it, don't they?" she said to Carolyn, who joined her on their way from the auditorium.

"Yes, but they wouldn't I guess if they didn't have people in charge that won't stand for any nonsense. Got your Latin all out?"

"Yes, though I'm shaky on some of it. It's terribly hard for me to memorize. If she didn't have us go over it so much I'd never get it."

"That's what teachers are for, I suppose," laughed Carolyn. "But what I wanted to see you about was this: I want to have a garden party while the weather's nice, so I'm asking everybody for Sat.u.r.dayjust informal invitations, you know, not the way my big sister does when _she_ gives a party! Can you come? We'll have a picnic dinner outdoors, unless the weather does something awful. But it's pretty dry and I don't believe it will rain. We had such a lot of rain last week and our flowers are so pretty now. Please come."

"Why, I'd just love to, Carolyn, and I think it's nice of you to ask me.

I don't know of any reason why I can't come. I'll ask Mother tonight and let you know _sure_ tomorrow. It's practically sure, though, because I can do what I like Sat.u.r.day afternoon."

"All right, Betty. I'll expect you. I'll give you the address and tell you how to get there when I have time."

The girls hurried along with the rest of the crowds going to recitation rooms. It must be said that Betty's mind wandered a little occasionally, whenever it was safe to let it wander, from the subjects of the lessons to the delightful prospect of next Sat.u.r.day. This was the first of the week. What should she wear? She did not like to ask Carolyn, but perhaps she could manage to bring up the subject with Peggy, or some of the other girls, when she knew who were invited. Suppose there should be some freshman boys. Peggy hadn't said and neither had Carolyn.

That afternoon, after school, Betty rushed into the house with her books for night study and deposited them on the table with a slight thud. Her eyes were alight and the "one dimple" was much in evidence. "Mother, I'm invited to a garden party! It's at Carolyn's on Sat.u.r.day afternoon and they're going to have a picnic dinner outdoors. Can I go? _May_ I go, I mean?"

"I shall certainly want to say yes, if you want to go, as I judge you do." Mrs. Lee was smiling, too, as she looked at her glowing young daughter. She folded a garment she had been mending and laid it aside.

"Tell me about it."

"Well, you know who Carolyn is, don't you?"

"I ought to by this time," and Mrs. Lee's eyes twinkled. "It occurs to me that I have heard you mention her before."

Betty laughed. "I suppose I _have_ raved about Carolyn. But she is the dearest thing."