{{betlep186.png}} "Father said he thought it might be all right for once, Mother; and as Jack had just asked me to his birthday party, I wanted to do what he wanted me to do. And oh, the suggestion of a sundae made my mouth water! But we had much more than that." After dinner Doris came into the bedroom where Betty was laying off her school dress. "I wouldn't say a word before the family, Betty," said she, "but I've heard about Jack and of course I've seen you with him. Some of the girls think he's wonderful even if he doesn't pay any attention to anybody but you. And then I heard one of the boys say that he runs with a _wild_set_ of the _society_bunch!_ What do you think about it, Betty?" "I don't know a thing against him, Doris, and I don't think a person ought to believe anything bad without giving a friend a chance, do you?" "You could see that Father liked him," re- turned Doris. "I should imagine you could be friends with Jack Huxley and not hurt any- thing at all. He has such nice manners; and when he is with you he is as polite as can be." "Yes, always, Doris." "There's something about you, Betty, that makes the boys do that. They never get fresh or act silly as they do with some of the girls." [[186]]