"We met little Nora Gordon on the street to-day, and she asked if you went nutting, and who went along, and I said Mabel and Frances and Gloria and Annabelle and Sara and the college boys. And she said, 'Then it was their Sunday-school class, and they didn't invite my sister and she feels awful.'"
"Oh, mercy," said Rosalie, "we tried to keep it from her--that is, we didn't suppose she would find out--anyhow, it was a college crowd, and Alicia Gordon does not go to college."
"Did all the rest of the class go except Alicia?" asked Doris.
"Well, yes, it isn't a very big class, you know, and we all go to college, except Alicia. She works. But is was a regular college crowd--and the boys don't like Alicia, she never has a date with anybody. She is kind of poky."
"You knew it would hurt her feelings if she found it out, didn't you?"
"Well, perhaps, but we didn't intend she should find it out. I wonder who told her? It was a nasty little trick, and if you did it, Miss Zee--"
"I didn't. What did I know about your old picnic? And when I saw how Nora felt, I told her over and over it was a college affair, didn't I, Treasure?"
"Yes, but their feelings are hurt, anyhow."
"Now, of course, you are blaming me, Doris, but we couldn't take her along. The boys don't care for her, and she can't expect us to make dates for her."
"Nothing, but she sits around like a stick and never says boo. Boys make her nervous. I like her well enough myself, though she never says much and clams up completely when a man heaves in sight. A pretty enough girl, and dresses well--but what could we do with her on a nutting party?"
"I think it was a very un-manse-like thing to do, and I am sorry."
"I am sorry she found it out myself. But I hardly know her."
"Why don't you know her, if she is in your class?"
"She never goes where we go, and--you just can't get acquainted with her."
"Um, not very hard, I suppose. She ought to meet one half-way."
"Some people can't, and you know it. That is why they have us preachers, to go the whole way to meet those who can't, or won't, come a step toward us. I'm afraid--you ought to be disciplined, Rosalie."
Zee leaped up, clapping her hands. "Good. Whip her, Doris. Go on, give her a good one, for once, the bad thing."