"Why, I hardly think so." Dr. Prescott smiled. "People are coming and going all the time, you see."
"Bess will get here. Never fear." Nan spoke up confidently. "Let's eat. She told us not to wait." As the lunch progressed, however, from soup through a dainty salad and slices of cold chicken to dessert, Nan grew uneasy.
"It is strange that she doesn't appear," she finally admitted, and was about to leave the dining room and go in search of her when Bess was ushered to the table.
"I'm sorry to be so late," Bess murmured as she sat down and unfolded her napkin, "but I couldn't help it." Her face was flushed. She looked confused and angry.
"Please don't say anything now," she begged as Nan was about to speak. "I'm afraid I'll make a scene, if you do, but if ever I see that girl again--"
She stopped short as the steward presented her with a menu.
"Now tell us what happened!" The Lakeview girls were reclining in deck chairs on the sun deck in the late afternoon. Dr. Prescott was in her stateroom, making it more presentable, she said, so it was the first opportunity to talk over Bess' experience.
Bess raised herself up and tucked the steamer rug more securely around her legs. The April breezes were fresh, and rather chilly.
"It still makes me mad," she fumed as she yanked the rug around further. "You can't go anyplace, not even across the ocean, but what that girl turns up."
"Linda Riggs, of course." Bess was utterly disgusted. "When I left you down in the corridor, I went straight up to the steward's window. I took my place in line with others, paying no attention to anyone. All I cared about was getting my ticket and getting down to the dining room. I moved along in line like the others and was just about ready to show the steward my passport, when someone gave me a shove.
"Well, I wasn't going to stand for that, so I stood my ground."
"You mean," Nan interpreted, "that you shoved right back."
"Well, if you want to call a little push that, yes," Bess admitted. "But if I'd known who it was, I would have knocked her down."
"Why, Bess!" Nan was horrified and amused. "You little beast! I'm surprised at you."
"She's always getting us into trouble." Bess was indignant all over again. "There I was, minding my own business, thinking nice thoughts, and having quite a perfect time. No one was farther from my concern than she. And what happens? She walks right into me, pushes me aside, never begs my pardon, and presents her passport first."