“I didn’t,” muttered Ada, but she refused to meet her teacher’s eyes.

“I don’t want a race on a foul,” argued Betty pluckily, for her skinned elbow was smarting madly.  “Let’s begin over.”

She had her way, too, and this time won without interference, though Ada was so furious that Bobby was seriously concerned.

“She looks mad enough to put something in your soup,” she told Betty, as they went in to dress and have Betty’s elbow attended to.  “What is it, Caroline?”

“Two young gentlemen to see you, Miss Bobby and Miss Betty,” announced the maid importantly.  “They is waiting in the parlor.  Mrs. Eustice says you all should go right up.”

In the parlor the girls found two slim, uniformed young figures who rose like well-set-up ramrods at their entrance.

“Bob!” ejaculated Betty, her voice betraying her pleasure.  “Bob, you look splendid!”

Tommy Tucker glanced hopefully at Bobby.

“Don’t I look splendid, too?” he asked.

“You’re overshadowed by Bob,” said Bobby mischievously.  “However, when not compared with him, I dare say you look rather well.”

CHAPTER XV

NORMA MAKES REPAIRS

This had to content the Tucker twin who took Bobby’s chaffing good-humoredly.

Bob Henderson did indeed look very well.  The uniform was most becoming, and though he was studying hard to make up for lack of preparation, his clear eyes and skin and firm muscles told of a wise schedule that included plenty of outdoor exercise.

“We want you girls to come over to a practice game,” announced Tommy Tucker presently.  “We’ve got rather jolly rooms, and we thought if you brought Miss Thingumbob along we could have you in for tea and show you the sights.  Do you think the powers that be will say yes?”

“Well, I don’t know,” answered Betty thoughtfully.  “I didn’t know you Salsette boys had much to do with girls.  Of course the whole school goes to the big football games, but asking us to see a practice game is something new.  Of course it will be difficult to get an afternoon when every one is free—­”

“Every one!” exploded Bob.  “Who said anything about every one?  We don’t want the whole school—­just you and Bobby and Louise and Frances and Libbie and the Guerin girls.”

“Sure, the same bunch that came up on the train,” said Tommy Tucker.  “Lead me to Mrs. Eustice and I’ll ask her.”

“Mrs. Eustice is not in this afternoon,” announced an extremely cold and disapproving voice.  “Have you permission, young ladies, to see these er—­callers?”

It was the elderly teacher whom Tommy had tormented on the train!

For once in his life that young man was thoroughly abashed.  He threw Betty an appealing look that asked her to save him.

“Miss Prettyman, may I present my friends?” said the girl with the formality that is subtly flattering to an older woman.  “This is Bob Henderson, who came from the West with me and who is really like my brother, since my uncle is his guardian.  And this is Tommy Tucker, who lives in Washington.”