He was off like a flash, and the girls returned to their game.
"It's your turn, Dorothy," Nancy said, and Dorothy entered the ring.
"From this ring that has no end You may choose a little friend,"
sang the merry voices, and Dorothy looked from one to another. She would have liked to choose Nancy, but she thought how few of the girls _ever_ chose Arabella, and she held out her hand to the playmate who seldom was favored.
If Arabella was pleased she did not show it. She took her place in the ring, however, and looked at the merry faces that circled around her.
"You are next the favored guest, Choose the friend you love the best."
"Choose?" How _could_ she choose? She never liked to do a pleasant thing for any one, and whomever she called into the ring would feel favored.
"Hurry, and choose some one, Arabella," called Mollie Merton, but still Arabella stood sullenly staring at her shoes.
Mollie was ready again to urge Arabella to choose, when the gate flew open, and Reginald, breathless and excited, rushed in. Aunt Charlotte was standing in the walk, watching the pretty game. Reginald ran to her, holding out something very wet and dripping.
"I didn't find my ball, but I guess this is the di'logue book you couldn't find," he said.
The red and gold cover was blistered, and its fine color had almost disappeared.
"Down behind the wall, where I saw somebody drop it," he said, looking sharply at Arabella.
Of course they all looked at Arabella, who hesitated for a moment, then pushing past the girls, she ran down the walk to the gate, looking over her shoulder to call to Aunt Charlotte:
"I've got to go home, 'cause my head aches."
"I wonder what Aunt Charlotte will do about the book?" whispered Mollie.
"Why, what _could_ she do?" Flossie asked in surprise.
"Why, Flossie Barnet! You saw the cover all spoiled. Don't you s'pose she'll--"
But Mollie's question was hushed by the silvery tinkle of the bell which told that recess was over.
Arabella did not return for the afternoon rehearsal, but she entered the class-room on the next morning as calmly as if nothing had happened, and she seemed very eager to show her interest in the dialogue by appearing at all the other rehearsals.
Exhibition day had arrived, and parents and friends were seated before the tiny stage, waiting for the curtain to rise.