Betty Vivian Part 27

Just then Sylvia and Hetty Vivian walked through the great recreation-hall arm in arm.

f.a.n.n.y called them to her. "Where's Betty?" she asked.

"She told us she'd be very busy for half an hour in our room, and that then she was going downstairs to have a sort of conference--with you, I suppose, f.a.n.n.y, and the rest of the Specialities."

Sylvia gave a very impatient shrug of her shoulders.

"Why do you look like that, Sylvia?" asked f.a.n.n.y.

"Well, the fact is, Hetty and I do hate our own Betty belonging to your club. Whenever we want her now she is engaged; and she has such funny talk all about committee meetings and private conferences in your odious sitting-room. We don't like it a bit. We much, much preferred our Betty before she joined the Specialities."

"All the same," said f.a.n.n.y, "you must have felt very proud of your Betty last night."

Hester laughed. "She wasn't half her true self," said the girl. "Oh, of course she was wonderful, and much greater than others; but I wish you could have heard her tell stories in Scotland. We used to have just one blink of light from the fire, and we sat and held each other's hands, and I tell you Betty made us thrill."

"Well, now that you have reminded me," said f.a.n.n.y, rising as she spoke, "I must go and attend that committee meeting. I really forgot it, so I am greatly obliged to you girls for reminding me. And you mustn't be jealous of your sister; that is a very wrong feeling."

The girls laughed and ran off, while f.a.n.n.y slowly walked down the recreation-hall and then ascended some stairs, until she found herself in that particularly cosy and bright sitting-room which was set apart for the Specialities.

Martha West was there, also Susie Rushworth, the two Bertrams, and Olive Repton. But Margaret Grant had not yet appeared, nor had Betty Vivian. f.a.n.n.y took her seat near Olive. The girls began to chat, and the subject of last night's entertainment was discussed pretty fully. Most of the girls present agreed that it was remarkably silly of Sibyl Ray to wear marguerites in her hair, that they were very sorry for her, and hoped she would not be so childish again. It was just at that moment that Margaret Grant appeared, and immediately afterwards Betty Vivian.

The minutes of the last committee meeting were read aloud, and then Margaret turned and asked the girls if they were thoroughly satisfied with the entertainment of the previous night. They all answered in the affirmative except f.a.n.n.y, who was silent. Neither did Betty speak, for she had been the chief contributor to the entertainment.

"Well," continued Margaret, "I may as well say at once that I was delighted. Betty, I didn't know that you possessed so great a gift. I wish you would improvise as you did last night one evening for Mrs.

Haddo."

Betty turned a little whiter than usual. Then she said slowly, "Alone with her--and with you--I could."

"I think she would love it," said Margaret. "It would surprise her just to picture the scene as you threw yourself into it last night."

"I could do it," said Betty, "alone with her and with you."

There was not a sc.r.a.p of vanity in Betty's manner. She spoke seriously, just as one who, knowing she possesses a gift, accepts it and is thankful.

"I couldn't get it out of my head all night," continued Margaret, "more particularly that part where the angels came. It was a very beautiful idea, Betty dear, and I congratulate you on being able to conjure up such fine images in your mind."

It was with great difficulty that f.a.n.n.y could suppress her feelings, but the next instant an opportunity occurred for her to give vent to them.

"Now," said Margaret, "as the great object of our society is in all things to be in harmony, I want to put it to the vote: How did the entertainment go off last night?"

"I liked every single thing about it," said Susie Rushworth; "the supper, the games, and, above all things, the story-telling."

The same feeling was expressed in more or less different words by each girl in succession, until f.a.n.n.y's turn came.

"And you, f.a.n.n.y--what did you think?"

"I liked the supper and the games, of course," said f.a.n.n.y.

"And the story-telling, f.a.n.n.y? You ought to be proud of having such a gifted cousin."

"I didn't like the story-telling, and Betty knows why I didn't like it."

The unmistakable look of hatred on f.a.n.n.y's face, the queer flash in her eyes as she glanced at Betty, and Betty's momentary quiver as she looked back at her, could not fail to be observed by each girl present.

"f.a.n.n.y, I am astonished at you!" said Margaret Grant in a voice of marked displeasure.

"You asked a plain question, Margaret. I should have said nothing if nothing had been asked; but you surely don't wish me to commit myself to a lie?"

"Oh no, no!" said Margaret. "But sisterly love, and--and your own cousin too!"

"I want to say something in private to Betty Vivian; and I would earnestly beg of you, Margaret, not to propose to Mrs. Haddo that Betty should tell her any story until after I have spoken. I have my reasons for doing this; and I do not think, all things considered, that I am really breaking Rule No. I. in adopting this course of action."

"This is most strange!" said Margaret.

Betty rose and came straight up to f.a.n.n.y. "Where and when do you want to speak to me, f.a.n.n.y?" she asked.

"I will go with you now," said f.a.n.n.y.

"Then I think," said Margaret, "our meeting has broken up. The next meeting of the Specialities will be held in Olive Repton's room on Thursday next. There are several days between now and then; but to-morrow at four o'clock I mean to give a tea to all the club here. I invite you, one and all, to be present; and afterwards we can talk folly to our hearts' content. Listen, please, girls: the next item on my programme is that we invite dear Mr. Fairfax to tea with us, and ask him a few questions with regard to the difficulties we find in the reading of Jeremy Taylor's 'Holy Living.'"

"I don't suppose, Margaret, it is absolutely necessary for me to attend that meeting?" said Betty.

"Certainly not, Betty. No one is expected to attend who does not wish to."

"You see, I have no difficulties to speak about," said Betty with a light laugh.

Margaret glanced at her with surprise.

"Come, Betty," said f.a.n.n.y; and the two left the room.

"Where am I to go to?" asked Betty when they found themselves outside.

"Out, if you like," said f.a.n.n.y.

"No, thank you. The day is very cold."

"Then come to my room with me, will you, Betty?"

"No," said Betty, "I don't want to go to your room."

"I must see you somewhere by yourself," said f.a.n.n.y. "I have something important to say to you."

"Oh, all right then," said Betty, shrugging her shoulders. "Your room will do as well as any other place. Let's get it over."

The girls ran upstairs. They presently entered f.a.n.n.y's bedroom, which was a small apartment, but very neat and cheerful. It was next door to the Vivians' own s.p.a.cious one.

The moment they were inside Betty turned and faced f.a.n.n.y. "Do you always intend to remain my enemy, f.a.n.n.y?" she asked.

"Far from that, Betty; I want to be your truest friend."