CHAPTER XXI
SUNSHINE AGAIN
A sense of suppressed excitement greeted Dorothy as she entered theclassroom. Edna and Molly managed to greet her personally with apleasant little nod, and even Miss Higley raised her eyes to say goodmorning.
Certainly Dorothy felt heroic--and she had good reason. Havingsuffered so long from a mysterious insult, she now had fortifiedherself against its stigma.
At the same time she was conscious of an awful weight hanging over herhead--like the gloom of those who suffer without hope.
"She just looks like a sweet nun," whispered Ned to Amy.
"Doesn't she," agreed Amy. "I wish we could make her smile."
But Dorothy buried herself in her studies, with a determination born ofperfect self-control.
The morning wore into mid-day, then the recreation hour broughtrelaxation from all mental effort. A number of the girls who had beenat first conspicuous figures in the Rebs made a particular effort tospeak to Dorothy. She met their advances pleasantly, but with somehesitancy--they might only mean to make an opportunity for furthertrouble, Dorothy thought.
"See here!" called Edna, running along the walk after Dorothy. "Haveyou taken the black veil? Not that such a vocation is to be made lightof," seeing a frown come over Dorothy's face, "but you know we cannotspare you just yet. You may be the dear little nun of Glenwood, butyou will have to keep up with the Glens and the Nicks. We are planninga reunion, you know."
"Yes, and we are going to give a play on our own account," said Molly,coming up at that moment. "Mrs. Pangborn has granted permission and weare about to select the operetta--it will be a musical affair thistime."
"That ought to be lovely," responded Dorothy. "There are so many fineplayers among the girls."
"Yes, and you can sing," declared Molly. "We are counting on you forour prima donna."
"Oh, and we might have Viola accompany her on the violin! Wouldn'tthat be divine!" enthused a girl from Portland.
A hush followed this suggestion. It was the awkward kind that actuallysounds louder than a yell of surprise.
"What is it?" asked Rose-Mary, joining the group and giving Dorothy ahug "on the half shell," which in the parlance of schoolgirls means aspontaneous fling of the arms around the one on the defensive.
"Cologne will be sure to suggest something from English Lit." predictedMolly. "She being a star in that line herself thinks the stuff equallypie for all of us. We might try French--I said 'try,' Ned Ebony; youneed not strangle yourself with that gasp!"
"Came near it," admitted the one with her mouth open. "Fancy us doingFrench!"
"Then suppose we go back to the woods--try Red Riding Hood?"
"Fine and dandy!" exclaimed Nita Brant. "I'll be the wolf."
"Because he was the only party who got in on the eating," remarkedEdna. "Let me be the squire--and don't all speak at once for thegrandmother's fate."
"Think it over girls; think it over!" advised Nita. "Back to the woodsmight not suit some of our rural friends. For my part I prefer--ahem!Something tragic!"
"Beat Red Riding Hood for tragedy then," challenged one of the group."Of all the atrocities--"
"And desperate deals--"
"To say nothing of the grandmother's night cap going in the mix up--"
And so they laughed it all off, and marveled that the mere mention ofthe old story should awaken such comment.
Dorothy seemed to enjoy the innocent sallies. It was pleasant to bewith the jolly crowd again, and to feel something akin to the oldhappiness.
"What happened to Fiddle?" asked Amy Brook. "I thought she would comeback to class when her pout wore off."
"Pout?" repeated Dorothy. "I met her in the hall and she seemed to bein great distress."
"Shouldn't wonder," remarked Nita. "Any one who crosses swords withMiss Higley is bound to come to grief sooner or later. If I had beenFiddle I should have apologized at once--easiest way out of it withHigley."
Dorothy was confused. She had no idea of the scene that had takenplace in the schoolroom that morning between Miss Higley and Viola.But as it was impossible for her to keep up with the run of schoolevents lately, she ventured no more questions.
"When's Chrissy coming back?" asked Edna. "I'm almost dead withouther. Haven't had a single scrap since she went. And I've got thegreatest lot corked up ready to explode from spontaneous combustion."
"I hope she'll be back before the end of this term," answered Dorothy."I heard to-day her mother is entirely recovered."
"Good for the mother! Also more power to her. I think I'll crawl upthe skylight and do perfectly reckless stunts on the roof when Chrissyreturns just to celebrate," and suiting her words with the jubilantmood the girl waltzed away down the path, making queer "jabs" at theinoffensive air that was doing its best to make life bright andpleasant for the girls at Glenwood.