Bab - A Sub Deb - Page 18/77

The favors were insignifacant, as usual. It is not considered good taste

to have elaberate things for the school crowd. But when I think of the

silver things Sis always brought home, and remember that I took away

about six Christmas Stockings, a toy Baloon, four Whistles, a wooden

Canary in a cage and a box of Talcum Powder, I feel that things are not

fair in this World.

Hannah went with me, and in the motor she said: "Oh, Miss Barbara, do be careful. The Familey is that upset."

"Don't be a silly," I said. "And if the Familey is half as upset as I

am, it is throwing a fit at this minute."

We were early, of course. My mother beleives in being on time, and

besides, she and Sis wanted the motor later. And while Hannah was on her

knees taking off my carriage boots, I suddenly decided that I could not

go down. Hannah turned quite pale when I told her.

"What'll your mother say?" she said. "And you with your new dress and

all! It's as much as my life is worth to take you back home now, Miss

Barbara."

Well, that was true enough. There would be a Riot if I went home, and I

knew it.

"I'll see the Stuard and get you a cup of tea," Hannah said. "Tea sets

me up like anything when I'm nervous. Now please be a good girl, Miss

Barbara, and don't run off, or do anything foolish."

She wanted me to promise, but I would not, although I could not have run

anywhere. My legs were entirely numb.

In a half hour at the utmost I knew all would be known, and very likely

I would be a homless wanderer on the earth. For I felt that never, never

could I return to my Dear Ones, when my terrable actions became known.

Jane came in while I was sipping the tea and she stood off and eyed me

with sympathy.

"I don't wonder, Bab!" she said. "The idea of your Familey acting so

outragously! And look here" She bent over me and whispered it. "Don't

trust Carter too much. He is perfectly in fatuated with Leila, and he

will play into the hands of the enemy. BE CAREFUL."

"Loathesome creature!" was my response. "As for trusting him, I trust no

one, these days."

"I don't wonder your Faith is gone," she observed. But she was talking

with one eye on a mirror.