When Marjorie called John Hadley on the telephone to cancel her engagement for Wednesday night, and to invite him to the class dance, she was surprised to find him appear indifferent.  
“I had expected to be out of town this week-end,” he told her. “On business.”
 
“Oh, very well,” replied Marjorie, coolly. “It doesn’t matter—you might be bored anyhow.”
 
“Hardly that. But—the fact is, the firm wanted me to go on Wednesday, and I begged off. I myself suggested Saturday. But if it means that you will have to stay home——”
 
“Certainly not!” flashed Marjorie, resentfully. “It happens that I do have two or three other friends——”
 
“Marjorie, you know I didn’t imply that,” he apologized.
 
“Well, I’ll find somebody else!” she retorted, cutting him off.
 
“No—please——”
 
But the connection was broken.
 
Marjorie walked away, with a strange sensation at her heart. It was really the first time that she and John had actually quarreled, and she suddenly felt ashamed of herself. How childish it was to be angry because he had a business engagement! If anyone should have been resentful, it was his right, not hers.
 
The more that she thought about the conversation, the more reluctant she was to tell Lily. Yet sooner or later her room-mate would know that John was not to be her escort at the dance.
 
She the news until after Mr. Richards’ visit, and her program was settled to her satisfaction. Then, on Thursday evening, when the girls were for dinner, she informed her.
 
“I haven’t any partner for Saturday night, Lil,” she mentioned, .
 
“What!” exclaimed the other, turning about from the mirror, and facing her in .
 
“John can’t go—he’ll be out of town over the week-end on business.”
 
Lily crossed the room, and, Marjorie’s chin with her hand, looked her straight in the eyes.
 
“You never asked him!” was the she .
 
“I did—on my scout word of honor!”
 
Lily shook her head, incredulously.
 
“If I know John Hadley, he’d manipulate his engagements, even if they were important, so that he could go with you. What’s wrong?”
 
“Nothing. Only of course I didn’t get down on my knees to beg him to.”
 
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” murmured Lily, regretfully. “I thought that it was going to be such a wonderful party—with John and Dick both there.”
 
“It can still be wonderful without John,” returned Marjorie, lightly. “But tell me, Lil, whom shall I invite?”
 
On Friday morning she told Lily that she was not going at all.
 
“I think that I’ll drop in on my scout troop, instead,” she remarked.
 
Lily knitted her brows.
 
“I don’t believe I would, Marj,” she advised.
 
“Why not?” demanded the other.
 
“Because—it might look funny. I forgot to tell you last night because I was asleep when you came home, that Queenie Brazier called up and asked for one of us. Naturally I answered, since you were at the association. She wanted to know Mr. Richards’ address, and whether she might invite him to the scout meeting on Saturday night.”
 
“Well, of all things!” cried Marjorie, bursting out laughing.
 
“So you see it would look rather queer if you went after all,” Lily concluded.
 
“Yes, it would——. Well, there’s only one thing left............