What happened that night seemed like a dream to Dorothy. Accustomed to think of others and to forget herself, she pondered long and earnestly over the grief that Viola had shown. Surely there was some strange influence between mother and daughter. Dorothy remembered the looks akin1 to adoration2 that Mrs. Green continually gave her daughter that day in the train. Viola had certainly done an imprudent thing in telling the story, Dorothy had no idea it was more than imprudent; neither did she know how seriously that act had affected3 herself. Even now, as she tried to grasp the entire situation, it never occurred to her that this was the story that stood between her and the friendship of the Glenwood girls. For the time that unpleasant affair was almost forgotten—this new problem was enough to wrestle4 with.
Early the next morning Mrs. Pangborn sent for Dorothy. The president's appearance immediately struck the girl as different; she was in mourning.
"I hope you have not lost a dear friend," said Dorothy, impulsively5, before Mrs. Pangborn had addressed her.
"Yes, Dorothy," she replied, "I have—lost my father."
There was no show of emotion, but the girl saw that no grief could be keener.
"I am so sorry," said Dorothy.
"Yes, my dear, I am sure you are. And your father knew him well. They were very old friends."
"I have heard him speak of Mr. Stevens."
"Yes, I suppose you have. Well, his troubles are over, I hope. But, Dorothy, I sent to ask you about that story some of the young ladies have been circulating about you. Of course it is all nonsense—"
"What story have you reference to, Mrs. Pangborn?"
"You must have heard it. That you and Octavia were seen getting out of a police patrol wagon6 in Dalton. It is absurd, of course."
"But we did ride in a patrol wagon, Mrs. Pangborn," answered Dorothy, trying hard to keep Viola's tearful face before her mind, to guide her in her statements.
"How foolish, child. It might have been a joke—Tell me about it!"
"If you would excuse me, Mrs. Pangborn, and not think me rude, I would rather not," said Dorothy, her cheeks aflame.
"Not tell me!" and the lady ra............