Dorothy Daintys Gay Times | Page 7

you don't," agreed Dorothy, "but you know Aunt Charlotte
says that we are to be independent, and Arabella's anything but
independent when she doesn't do her examples herself. It's puzzling,
though; mamma says we mustn't notice her queer ways, and that we
must be kind to her, and it doesn't seem kind to refuse to help her with
her lessons."
"Wait for us!" called a merry voice, and turning, they saw Nina and
Jeanette running toward them. A third girl clasped their hands, and
Dorothy knew that she must be their cousin, Lola Blessington.
She was very pretty, and she seemed so friendly that Dorothy was
really glad that she was to join the class, and Nancy was quite as
pleased. It was early for school, and Nina proposed that they sit on the
wall, and wait for Katie and Reginald.
They seated themselves upon the stone wall, and like a row of sparrows,
they chattered gaily.
Lola seemed full of fun, and she told of some fine games which she had
played at the school where she had been a pupil, and they were all very
glad that she was to be a member of the private class.
And now a thin little figure made its way across the street, just a little
way from where they were sitting.

Nina reached behind Lola, and touched her sister's sleeve; Jeanette
nodded, and looked toward the girl who walked along, looking down
upon the ground.
Dorothy saw her, and called to her kindly:
"Arabella! Arabella! Won't you come and meet our new playmate?"
Arabella turned, paused just a second to stare at the new pupil. Then
turning toward the stone cottage, she said:
"I can't stop to talk; I've got to go to school."
"Why, how--" Nancy would not finish the sentence.
She was grieved that Arabella should be so rude to Dorothy, and vexed
that their new friend should be unkindly treated.
"Who is she?" Lola asked.
"She's Arabella Corryville," said Nina, "and she's in our class, and I
wish--" she stopped as short as Nancy had a few moments before.
Lola turned to look at Nina.
"What were you going to say?" she whispered.
"I was going to say that I wished she wasn't."
CHAPTER III
THE DIALOGUE
Lola received a cordial greeting from Aunt Charlotte, and at recess time
she declared that she was now in the nicest school that she had ever
attended.
"Why, how many have you been in?" asked Mollie; "this is the only
one I've ever been to, and you aren't any older than I am."

Lola laughed.
"I've been in three schools," she said. "Last year I commenced in one
school, but we moved, and I had to go to another one. This makes the
third, and I know I shall like it best of all."
Every one liked Lola. She seemed to be tireless. She knew many games,
and as soon as they wearied of one, she chose another.
"She's as much fun to play with as a boy," said Reginald, at which
Arabella laughed.
"You like any girls better'n boys; you said so the other day," she said.
"I like some girls," said the small boy, and he might have said more, but
his cousin Katie stood behind Arabella, shaking her head, and frowning
at him. Reginald looked at Katie, and decided to be silent.
There were ever so many things which he would have liked to say, but
Katie might tell at home if he were too naughty.
When Arabella found that Lola was liked by all the other pupils, she
decided to be just a bit friendly toward her, and Lola seemed pleased
that Arabella was no longer odd and silent.
And so it happened that Arabella now seemed really to be a member of
the class. She no longer refused to join in their games at recess, and
took more interest in her lessons than she had before.
Aunt Charlotte was delighted, and hoped that Arabella's pleasant mood
would last.
There was great excitement one morning when the little class was told
that plans had been made for the first entertainment, and that rehearsals
would commence that afternoon. A little murmur of delight passed over
the class, and Aunt Charlotte smiled at their pleasure.
"I shall ask Dorothy to sing two songs for us; Nancy, I know, will be
willing to do a fancy dance; Nina and Jeanette are learning a new duet

for the piano, and I should be pleased to have that for another number
on our programme. I have chosen a fine dialogue which will give a part
to every girl, and also a boy's rôle for Reginald."
When Aunt Charlotte had finished speaking, there was another little
murmur of delight, and then the lessons for the day