Brooks, Amy / 2008-11-16 00:00:00
"And, Patricia, you _ought_ to come here and see Betty Chase. She has a
long straw, and she's tickling Valerie's neck with it. Valerie doesn't
dream what it is, and while she's talking, keeps trying to brush off the
tickly thing. Come and see her!"
Patricia did not stir. She longed to see the fun, but she felt rather
abashed to come out from her corner.
The sound of a violin being tuned proved too tempting, however, and she
joined Arabella in the doorway.
One of the youngest pupils stood, violin in hand, while, at the piano,
Betty Chase was playing the prelude. Lina Danford handled the bow
cleverly, and played her little solo with evident ease.
Her audience was delighted, and gayly their hands clapped their
approval. The two in the doorway stood quite still, and gave no evidence
of pleasure. Arabella was too spunkless to applaud; Patricia was too
jealous.
Arabella, after her own dull fashion, had enjoyed the music.
Patricia surely had not.
Patricia never could bear to see or hear _any one_ do _anything_!
"Let's go up to our room," she whispered.
"P'rhaps some of the others will play or sing," ventured Arabella, who
wished to remain.
"_Let_ 'em!" Patricia said, even her whisper showing that she was vexed.
"'_Let_ 'em?'" Arabella drawled. "Why I'll have to let 'em. I couldn't
stop them, and I don't want to. I'd like to hear them."
"Then stay and hear them!" snapped Patricia, and she rushed out into the
midst of the groups of listeners, and dashed up the stairway before Miss
Fenler could stop her.
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