"If I do, I suppose you'll give me part of it, anyhow," she said, and her eyes glittered.
"Not so, damsel," said Carol ominously. "The Ancient and Honorable takes,--it never gives."
For a moment Constance wavered. Then she flamed into sudden anger. "I won't do it, so there!" she cried. "I think you're mean selfish pigs, that's what I think! Taking my very own pear, and--but you won't get it! I don't care if I never get into your silly old society,--you don't get a bite of this pear, I can tell you that!" And Constance rushed up-stairs and slammed a door. A few seconds later the door opened again, and her cherished badge was flung down upon Skull and Crossbones.
"There's your old black string smeared up with red ink!" she yelled at them wildly. And again the door slammed.
Carol picked up the insulted badge, and studied it thoughtfully. Lark spoke first.
"It occurs to me, Fair Gwendolyn, that we would do well to keep this little scene from the ears of the just and righteous Prudence."
"Right, as always, Brave Knight," was the womanly retort. And the twins betook themselves to the haymow in thoughtful mood.
A little later, when Prudence and Fairy came laughing into the down-stairs hall, a white-faced Constance met them. "Look," she said, holding out a pear, divided into three parts, just like Gaul. "Mr. Arnold gave me this pear, and here's a piece for each of you."
The girls thanked her warmly, but Prudence paused with her third almost touching her lips. "How about the twins?" she inquired. "Aren't they at home? Won't they break your pledge if you leave them out?"
Constance looked up sternly. "I offered them some half an hour ago, and they refused it," she said. "And they have already put me out of the society!" There was tragedy in the childish face, and Prudence put her arms around this baby-sister.
"Tell Prue all about it, Connie," she said. But Constance shook her head.
"It can't be talked about. Go on and eat your pear. It is good."
"Was it all right?" questioned Prudence. "Did the twins play fair, Connie?"
"Yes," said Constance. "It was all right. Don't talk about it."
But in two days Constance repented of her rashness. In three days she was pleading for forgiveness. And in four days she was starting in on another two weeks of pledgedom, and the desecrated ribbon with its drop of blood reposed once more on her ambitious breast.