“I once read, somewhere,” said Jessica sentimentally, “that ’’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’”

“Humph!” said Nora.  “If I am ever foolish enough to fall in love, I certainly don’t want to lose the object of my devotion.”

“You can’t very well,” said Grace slyly, “for from all present indications I should say that he is too fat to get lost.”

And Nora was obliged to explain elaborately to the laughing girls, all the way home, that the object of her future devotion would not be a fat man.

CHAPTER VII

The claim of the “Artistic temperament”

When Eleanor returned to school the following morning, she found that what Miss Thompson “disliked” was, after all, of considerable importance.  Directly after opening exercises the principal sent for her and asked the reason for her absence of the day before.  On finding that Eleanor had no plausible excuse, but had absented herself merely because she felt like it, Miss Thompson thereupon delivered a sharp little lecture on unnecessary absence, informing Eleanor that it was the rule of the school to present a written excuse for absence, and that a verbal excuse would not be accepted.

“I will overlook it this time, Miss Savell,” Miss Thompson said, “because you are not as yet thoroughly acquainted with the rules of this school, but do not let it occur again.  And I must also insist upon punctuality in future.  You have been late a number of times.”

With these words the principal turned to her desk and resumed the writing she had been engaged in when Eleanor entered.

For a second, Eleanor stood regarding Miss Thompson with angry eyes.  No one had ever before dared to speak sharply to her.  She was about to tell the principal that she was not used to being addressed in that tone, but the words would not come.  Something in the elder woman’s quiet, resolute face as she sat writing checked the wilful girl, and though she felt deeply incensed at the reprimand, she managed to control herself and walked out of the office with her head held high, vowing to herself that Miss Thompson should pay for what Eleanor termed “her insolence.”

All morning she sulked through her classes, and before closing time had managed to incur the displeasure of every teacher to whom she recited.

“What ails her to-day?” whispered Nora to Jessica.

It was geometry hour, and Miss Ames, the geometry teacher, had just reproved Eleanor for inattention.

Nora shook her head.  She dared not answer, as Miss Ames was very strict, and she knew that to be caught whispering meant two originals to work out, and Nora hated originals.