Marjorie, however, was not too deeply engrossed in her own affairs to notice that Queenie was unusually happy, and she longed to be able to share her joy with her. Once or twice she ventured to ask her about it, but Queenie had only laughed, and replied that it was only because Marjorie was getting better that she felt like dancing with every step.
On the very morning that Marjorie was to celebrate her recovery by a little dinner party down stairs, she made one more attempt to fathom the younger girl’s secret.
“Queenie,” she began, as she folded John’s letter and replaced it in the envelope, “You’re keeping something from me. Please tell me! You’re not engaged, or anything, are you?”
“Miss Wilkinson! Of course I’m not! Why, who would I be engaged to? You know I haven’t seen any of my old fellows—or heard from them, either——”
“Well, you might be engaged to Jack, or Mr. Richards. You’ve certainly seen a good deal of both of them.”
“You can put your mind at rest on that point, Cap! Neither one has asked me—and I wouldn’t have them if they did. I’m not ready to get married yet—I’m mighty thankful to be single. Besides—don’t forget I’m only seventeen!”
“Yes, I know—and I’m glad you feel that way about it. You’re much too young.”
“I know it,” answered Queenie decisively. “Besides—I’ve got other plans.”
“What, Queenie?” demanded Marjorie eagerly, believing that she was getting at the reason at last. “Did you go and get a job?”
“I’m not tellin’ yet. My job is right here—till you’re well enough to go back to college.”
“Yes, but what then?” asked Marjorie anxiously. “I meant to help you to find something during spring vacation, and here I went and got sick.”
“Don’t you bother your head about that, Miss Wilkinson. I’ll be all right.”
“Will you go back home? Have you heard from your mother?”
“Yes, I’ve heard from her and she’s still pretty mad, but she says I can come back whenever I want and she won’t send me off to Aunt Tillie. But I’m not goin’ to stay—maybe once in a while to visit.”
“Where are you going to live, then?” persisted Marjorie. “Not at some cheap room——”
“Oh, no! But really you needn’t worry, Cap. Your mother has invited me to stay here till I get settled, and I promise you I will if you don’t approve of where I will be living. Now, your mother wants you please to tell me what you’d most rather have for dinner tonight. It’s your party, you know.”