Why, its a real scarab. Isnt it a beauty, said Eleanor, then suddenly wishing Jim had thought of giving her a keep-sake.
Thats why I wanted you to come out with me. I told Ken you girlsd forget about us the minute we were out of sight, unless you had something to remind you of us, explained Jim.
Come on, then, and let Nolla pick out what she wants, added Ken, laughingly.
Ill take the queens pearl necklace! and young hearts made merry of the pearls that had cost so many lives and so much misery.
Eleanor selected a peculiar seal set in a strange stone. There, I will use it on the first letter I write you, she said.
Now that you are here, you may as well jump on the car and take us to the train, begged Jim.
And this time he had his way. But they did not catch the four oclock express to New Haven, as it was four-ten when they reached the gates and found them closed.
Now well have to sit and talk until five, laughed Jim, exultantly.
Well do nothing of the sort! I told you we had no time to waste on you boys, and we only came thus far to be polite in exchange for the keep-sakes. But you can have them back if you think it gives you the right to order me around.
Eleanor held out the seal, but Jim looked forlorn. Then she laughed because he felt bad at her teasing.
Come now, Jimmy, say good-by like an old dear, and tell Polly and me to run home.
I wish you were my sister! sighed Jim.
Your sister? What good would that do you? asked Eleanor.
Because
youd let me kiss you good-by! retorted he.
They all laughed merrily, and Polly said: Youd never want to kiss her if she was a sister. You wouldnt even have asked her to come to the station with you.
Youre right, Poll! Now Im going good-by, boys! and Eleanor held forth both hands one to each boy.
After many repeated good-bys, the girls left and slowly walked down the avenue. When they had reached the parkway that runs over the car-tunnel, and is known by the name of Madison avenue, Polly said: Why wouldnt you wait for the train, Nolla?
Because, Polly, I like both those boys and I dont want to lose them so soon. If a male thinks we females will run at beck and call for them, they quickly weary of such a game. It is the one who refuses to be wound about a finger, that always keeps the beaux on a string.
Polly laughed. You are too worldly-wise for me. Now I never should have dreamed of such a thing.
Well, Im right! One reason Bob never has a beau is just because she shows how anxious she is for one.
Oh, no, Nolla! The reason Bob hasnt any beaux is on account of her disposition you know that!
That, too, Polly. But mostly, because she throws herself at the head of any eligible man. I tell you, a man wont have it so!
Never mind, Nolla. You and I are never going to have beaux, so we should worry! We will marry our profession! said Polly.
The following Monday, Anne escorted her two charges to the school on West End avenue. It was a wonderful Autumn day and the girls pictured how beautiful the mountains about Pebbly Pit must look on such a clear day.
As the Fifth avenue bus was most convenient for Polly and her companions, boarding it at Thirtieth street and leaving it at the corner of Seventy-second street where West End avenue started northward, they had but a short walk to reach the school.
Eleanor had been most particular with Pollys, and her own appearance, that morning. For, said she, first impressions are lasting. We must be sure and make a favorable dent in these girls.
But we dont know one of them, Nolla, argued Polly.
All the more reason why we should take the head of the line! retorted Eleanor, tossing her head.
Anne laughed, and thought to herself, They will surely take the head in everything, for I never saw two such live girls.
But to Eleanors chagrin the examinations classed Polly with girls of fifteen to sixteen, while she was placed with girls of fourteen years. This caused the temperamental girl to feel discouraged and she began to blame her ill-health for her backwardness.
In every other way, Polly and she ranked equal; and not a girl in the whole exclusive school could boast of better or more fashionable dresses than these two western scholars. Eleanor was most talkative, describing her home in Chicago and the people the Maynards knew. Then she whispered, covertly, how rich Polly Brewster was she owned a great gold mine all in her own rights. She spoke thrillingly of Rainbow Cliffs and the tons upon tons of rare stones to be found there, until every girl sighed in envy. But Eleanor failed to mention that the stones would have to be cut and polished before they would be of any use to anyone.
A few stray sentences of these conversations reached Annes ears, and she felt puzzled to know what was best to do. Eleanor was not bragging because she needed place or power in the group, but the teacher understood that she was exaggerating for Pollys sake. She wanted all the girls to look up to Polly as a subject would to a queen. She knew how Barbara had felt toward the simple ranch people, and these girls were of the same ilk societys pets. And they could make life unhappy for Polly, or a dream of joy.