said. “It doesn't seem quite so tragic this
morning, that is, for me. I've been thinking.
Wouldn't it be better for me not to tell about
this and just to say what a good dinner it was
and how much trouble they went to to give Jack
a big party, if the girls ask about it?”

“Decidedly so, Betty, for the sake of every-
body concerned. You were caught in a group
about whose doings we've heard. We'll find out
more again before you accept an invitation. But
there was no intention on the part of any one
to annoy or injure you, though there was not
the proper chaperonage; and of course the
whole setting was as different as possible from
what we approve. But you don't mean that you
would continue a special friendship with Jack,
do you?”

“Oh, no!” Betty looked rather distressed at
the thought of Jack. “If I hadn't been so stub-
born, I might have known. There were little
things -- and then his ideas -- and a few things
said. But Jack is really a dear boy, Mother.”

“Yes. So your father said. We talked a good
part of the night.”

“I suppose so. I'm sorry, Mother. Well, I'll
handle it the best I can, and I decided that I'd
not act offended about it to Jack, but just tell
him frankly all about how I felt. I wish I could

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