When the three young folk started off, it was Agnes who ran back after the bundle of dancing slippers. Neale carried it under his arm, and they walked briskly out through the suburbs of Milton and on along the Buckshot road.
Are you really going to Pleasant Cove this summer, Neale? demanded Agnes, as they went on together.
If I can. Joe has asked me. And you girls?
Trix says we must come to her fathers hotel for two weeks at least, Agnes declared.
Humph! said Neale, doubtfully. Are you going, Ruth?
I dont know, admitted the older Corner House girl.
Now, isnt that just too mean? complained Agnes. You just say that because you dont like Trix.
I dont know whether Trix will be of the same mind when the time comes, said Ruth, firmly.
I believe you, grunted Neale.
Agnes pouted. Its just mean of you, she said. Of course she will want us to go. While Agnes was spoons with a girl, she was always strictly loyal to her. She could not possibly see Trix Severns faults just now.
They arrived at the farmhouse and found a crowd already assembled. There was a great deal of talking and laughter, and while Neale stood chatting with some of the boys in the hall, Ruth and Agnes came to him for their slippers.
Sure! said the boy, producing the newspaper-wrapped bundle he carried. Guess Ill put on my own pumps, too.
He unrolled the parcel. Then a yell of derision and laughter arose from the onlookers; instead of three pairs of dancing slippers, Neale produced two pairs of half-worn and lime-bespattered shoes belonging to the masons who had repaired the old Corner House chimney!
Now we cant dance! wailed Agnes.
Oh, Neale! gasped Ruth, while the young folk about them went off into another gale of laughter.
Well, it wasnt my fault, grumbled Neale. Aggie went after the bundle.
Shouldnt have left them right there with the masons bundle so now! snapped Agnes.
CHAPTER IV THE MYSTERY OF JUNE WILDWOOD
Time had been when Trix sneered at that circus boy, but that was before he and the two older Corner House girls had saved Trix from a collapsing snow palace back in mid-winter.
Since that time she had taken up with Agnes Kenway as her very closest chum, and she had visited the old Corner House a good deal. When Agnes and her sister arrived at the party on this evening, with Neale as escort, Trix determined to have at least one dance with the popular boy.
Oh, Neale! she whispered, fluttering up to him in her very nicest way, Ruth and Agnes will be half an hour primping, upstairs. The music is going to strike up. Do let us have the first dance.
All right, said Neale, good-naturedly.
It was the moment later that the discovery was made of the masons shoes in the bundle he carried under his arm.
Now we cant dance, repeated Agnes, when the laughter had somewhat subsided.
Oh, Neale can dance just as well, Trix said, carelessly. Come on, Neale! You know this is our dance.
Of course Neale could dance in his walking shoes. But he saw Agnes woebegone face and he hesitated.
Its too bad, Aggie, he said. If it wasnt so far
Why, Neale ONeill snapped Trix, unwisely. You dont mean to say youd be foolish enough to go clear back to the Corner House for those girls slippers?
Perhaps it was just this opposition that was needed to start Neale off. He pulled his
cap from his pocket and turned toward the door, with a shrug. I guess I can get back in an hour, Ag. Dont you and Ruth dance much in your heavy shoes until then. Youll tire yourselves all out.
Why, Neale ONeill cried Trix. You wont do it?
Even Ruth murmured against the boys making the trip for the slippers. We can get along, Neale, she said, in her quiet way.
And you promised to dance with me this first dance, declared Trix, angrily, as the music began.
Neale did not pay much attention to her at the moment. Its my fault, I guess, he said, laughing. Ill go back for them, Ag.
But Trix got right between him and the door. Now! you shant go off and leave me in the lurch that way, Neale ONeill she cried, shrilly.
Aw There are other dances. Wait till I come back, he said.
You can dance in the shoes you have on, Trix said, sharply.
What if?
But we cant, Trix, interposed Agnes, much distressed. Ruth and I, you know
I dont care! interrupted Trix, boiling over at last. You Corner House girls are the most selfish things! Youd spoil his fun for half the party
Aw, dont bother! growled Neale, in much disgust.
I will bother! You
Guess she thinks she owns you, Neale, chuckled one of the boys, adding fuel to the flames. Neale did not feel any too pleasant after that. He flung away from Trix Severns detaining grasp.
Im going it isnt any of your concern, he muttered, to the angry girl.
Ruth bore Agnes away. She was half crying. The rift in the intimacy between her soulmate and herself was apparent to all.
To make the matter worse according to Trixs version when Neale finally returned, almost breathless, with the mislaid slippers, he insisted, first of all, upon dancing with Ruth and Agnes. Then he would have favored Trix (Ruth had advised it), but the angry girl would not speak to him.