So I thought I would write Betty,--I owed her a letter. After all, she wasn't having at all a bad time with the Ervengs; in fact, I fancy she was enjoying herself, though she was careful not to say so.
Nora and I were sitting at the same table, but far apart, and I'd just called out and asked her if there were two l's in wonderful--I was writing about Fee--when the schoolroom door opened, and in walked Chad Whitcombe! As usual, he looked a regular dandy, and he held a bunch of roses in his hand. He came forward with his hand out and smiling: "I've--aw--just called in for a minute," he said. "I thought--aw--you might care for these flowers--"
But Nora rose quickly from her chair, pushing it a little from her, and putting her hands behind her back, she faced him with her head up in the air. My! how handsome she looked,--like a queen, or something grand like that! "I thank you for your polite intention," she said very stiffly and proudly, "but hereafter I prefer to have neither flowers nor visits from you."
Well, you should have seen Chad's face! he'd been stroking his moustache, but now, positively, he stood staring at Nora with his mouth open, he was so astonished. "Wha--what's wrong?" he stammered. "What've I done?"
Then Nora gave it to him; she didn't mince matters,--truly, she made me think of Betty. "What have you done?" she repeated, opening her grey eyes at him. "Oh! only acted as I have never known any one calling himself a gentleman to act. Mr. Whitcombe,"--with a toss of her head equal to anything Betty could have done,--"I will _not_ have the acquaintance of a man who drinks and gambles."
Then _I_ was the one to be astonished; I didn't dream Nora knew anything about that part. Phil must have told her that day.
[Illustration: "'HEREAFTER I PREFER TO HAVE NEITHER FLOWERS NOR VISITS FROM YOU.'"]
"And who not only does those dreadful things himself," went on Nora, "but inveigles others into doing them, too. The idea of coming here among us as a friend, and then leading Phil off,--trying to ruin his life!" Nonie's cheeks were scarlet; she was getting madder and madder with every word she said.
"Why, that isn't gambling; we just play for small amounts," exclaimed Chad, eagerly, forgetting his affectation, and speaking just like anybody. "All the fellows do it; why, I've played cards and drunk liquor since I was twelve years old. It hasn't hurt me."