you, Doro, you never know how
popular you are until you take a ride in the 'hurry up' wagon. I would
have given my new dog (and I love him dearly) to have been in that
tally-ho with you," and Alice threw her arms about Dorothy, whose face,
she could not help observing, was white and strained.

"It certainly was an experience," admitted Dorothy, joining the group
again.

"But what in the world makes you act like such a funeral?" Alice
blurted out.

"I have just heard something that makes me serious," answered Dorothy.
"I may as well tell you now. I am going away to boarding school!"

"This term?" exclaimed Viola, before either Alice or Tavia had time to
speak.

"Certainly," replied Dorothy coolly. "Why not?"

"Oh, nothing, of course," returned Viola, "Only after yesterday folks
might think--oh, you know country folks can never understand the trick
of deciding things quickly. You had not thought of it--of going away
before, had you?"

Dorothy was too indignant to speak. What ever could the girl mean by
such insinuations? Even Alice seemed dumbfounded, and Tavia positively
dangerous. She walked straight up to the chair Viola occupied.

"Miss Green," she called. "'After yesterday,' as you express it, is
precisely the same as before yesterday, to all concerned. The
experiences were unusual--"

"I should think so--" the stranger had the temerity to remark, but
Alice had risen to go, while Viola stepped down from the porch, without
offering a word of apology or explanation. "And where are you going,
Dorothy dear?" asked Alice tenderly, trying to undo the harm that her
visitor had been so successful in creating.

"To the Glenwood School, in the mountains of New England, I believe,"
answered Dorothy.

"Indeed?" spoke up Miss Green again. "That is where I attend. How
strange we should meet just before the term opens," and she smiled that
same unpleasant smile that had chilled Dorothy when Alice introduced
them.

"You do!" exclaimed Tavia rather rudely. Then she added: "Dorothy
Dale, who told you you could go away to school? You have not asked my
permission yet. To the mountains of New England! I would like to see
you run away and leave me!"

"It would be unpleasant indeed!" called back Viola. "You had better
come to Glenwood too!"

"Maybe I will," snapped Tavia. "One thing is certain. Dorothy Dale
will have friends whereever she goes and if I could go, I would be most
happy to look on while