CHAPTER XVII: "JUST LIKE A FISH"
"Look at Betty!" cried Kathryn, who was not taking part in the swimmingmeet, but was a part of the audience. "Isn't she graceful? What a dive!Betty's a regular fish for the water!"
"She went into the water like a bird _catching_ a fish," repliedCarolyn, who had memories of a northern lake in summer.
"Yes; but she says she likes the water and feels at home in it. She is anatural swimmer, I suppose, if there is such a thing."
The seats around the pool were full of spectators, some mothers as wellas girls from the different high schools concerned in the meet. Othersleaned forward, all interest, from the balcony above, among them Mrs.Lee and Amy Lou. Betty had located her mother before the meet properbegan and welcomed her with a smiling salute from a distance. To AmyLou, who waved wildly at her older sister, she gave a separate salute,and blew her a kiss. Betty looked happy and unworried, a trim littlefigure in her tight, dark blue bathing suit.
A group of sophomore girls were equipped with Lyon High banners and sattogether on one side of the pool, ready to root for their own school andtheir own class swimmers as well. When Betty came out for the divingevents, they cheered for her. Amy Lou was frightened and squealed out alittle when Betty made a "back" dive that was greeted with generalapplause. Mrs. Lee held her breath for a minute, afraid that Betty wouldhit the diving board and gave a sigh of relief when that did not happen.
Carolyn, who sat beside Mrs. Lee, turned to her enthusiastically to say,"Wasn't that _splendid_? Betty is getting better and better!"
"I hope she won't do that again, though," said Betty's mother.
"Oh, that's perfectly safe for Betty, Mrs. Lee. They wouldn't let hertry it if she weren't used to it and Betty can just do almost anything.Besides, it isn't as close to the board when she does it as it looks. Ifyou were right up at that end you'd see."
"I see. I have heard Betty talk about all this so much, but I must saythat all the remarks about this and that sort of a stroke and thedifferent kinds of diving have rather gone over my head. I've not beenable to get to the little meets the girls have had. This is delightful,the big pool and all the excitement. No wonder the girls like it, butBetty did not seem to be excited over it or care about taking firstplace. I wonder why?"
"Betty's pretty level-headed," laughed Carolyn. "She's getting ready todo big things in her next two years, you see, big things for the G. A.A. So she isn't going to get all worked up now. I shouldn't wonder ifshe did get the best record for the diving, though. Those other girlsweren't half so good on that event, though that senior girl from NorthHigh is a wonder in swimming. Wait till those speed tests--orevents--come off and watch her. Without her cap Betty'd be a goldfish,Kathryn!"
Mrs. Lee consulted her program. It was a help to see everything down, inblack and white. Here was a certain sort of a stroke, and she could seeit being done. "Amy Lou," said she, "watch how they do it. Some day youwill be doing that perhaps."
"Oh, yes," soberly said Amy Lou, watching the next group of contestantscome in from out behind the curtains and stand in readiness. "I'm goingto be a G. A. A."
"The whole association, Amy Lou?" asked Kathryn, who liked to tease alittle.
Amy Lou smiled a little. She didn't mind Kathryn, who was alwaysremembering her in some little way. "Yes," said she. "I can swim now alittle, up at Grandma's, can't I Mamma?"
"Yes, dear--but watch and keep still. The girls are going to start."
Amy Lou had stopped jumping at the pistol shot and now leaned over withthe rest, though she had to stand up to do it, to see the slim youngbodies cleave the clear water of the pool, swim the length of it, turn,pushing their toes against the concrete wall of the pool and start forthe other end.
The diving included "front, back and running," the program said. Thenthere were a "twenty-yard back stroke for speed, a twenty-yard sidestroke for speed and a twenty-yard free style for speed," and Carolynexplained that "free style" meant "do it any way you want to--just getthere!"
"Will Betty try to win on speed?" asked Mrs. Lee.
"I doubt it. Betty's working on trying to do everything just right, andgrace and ease in the water, and keeping your head, I guess, from what Ihear her say. You see, you have to do your breathing a certain way,though that doesn't seem to be any trouble to Betty."
"It looks painful to me," said Mrs. Lee.
"Watch Betty and you won't think so."
"They turn sideways and swallow the air, don't they?" said Amy Lou.
"Just about," laughed Carolyn. "Here comes Betty again, Amy Lou."
Amy Lou joined in the Lyon High yell this time, to the great amusementof Carolyn and Betty, but they did not let the child see their smilesand Mrs. Lee did not make any objection. What was Amy Lou's small voicein the general uproar?
No one girl was permitted to take part in any large number of events,thought there had not been this time too great a number of contestantswho wanted to enter for the meet.
Betty was not tired and after the first diving event did not feelexcited. There were only a few more people looking on, and the cheerswere a part of it all. This was noted as "Push off and coast across poolfor speed" and to Betty's surprise she was first across the pool. Laterthere was a "relay" event, in which Betty did well, her best, but wasnot first. That ended her part in the meet and she was satisfied. Shetook her shower and dressed without watching the rest, though Carolynexclaimed afterward when she found that Betty had "missed the rest," andat an inter-school contest.
"Well," said Betty, "why sit around in a wet bathing suit? I knew Icould get dressed in time to hear the final results announced. Ofcourse, I was crazy for Lyon High to win the meet, but even with myblanket around me I was a little chilly and I'd promised Mother that I'dnot take an unnecessary risks of cold. I did hate to miss one event, butI'd seen such a lot of swimming."
Yet Betty had won some points for her school and she was, indeed, backwhere she could hear the announcement after the final event and to joinin the wild cheering of feminine voices which marked the announcementthat Lyon High had won the meet by a narrow margin. It was well that itwas so, for there had been some good swimming done by all the schools.
"Going to take the life-saving tests, Betty?" asked Lucia Coletti, whochanced to be by Betty as the crowd left the pool and the building.
"No, not now, Lucia. Next year is time enough. I _might_ get ready forit, but I'm just learning a lot of things and trying the endurancestunts a little. Perhaps I'll swim across to Italy one of these days."
Lucia laughed. "That's what I'd like to do right now, though I prefergoing on a steamer. I'm homesick to see my father," she added.
"Will you be going over this summer?" queried Betty, though casually,for Betty was not one to be curious.
"No. Mother says not," replied Lucia, and Betty did not ask whether ornot the count would come to America. There was some trouble there, Bettysupposed. It did not always work when an American girl married aforeigner. But how dreadful for Lucia who loved both parents, of course,if you were separated! Why didn't people think about their children alittle instead of themselves?
"Betty," said Lucia, "Mother is going to entertain for me this springand you are the first one I want to invite. I haven't had you over atall."
"But I haven't had you either," said Betty. "We just couldn't manageparties some way this year with all that has been going on at school andMother so busy and Father working so hard, too. You were the stranger tobe invited."
Lucia slipped her hand inside of Betty's bent arm and patted it. "But Iknow perfectly well that it was Mother's place to show some attention toyour father and mother. But Mother has been considerably upset--aboutsome of our affairs. She's been in the social columns of the papers allright, but she's not done any of the entertaining herself."
It was rather an odd place for any confidences, Betty thought, but Luciawas likely to say things when she wanted to do it. No one could hear,however, as they went out of the open doors and ran down t
he stepstogether. Lucia nodded good night and then went to where the Murchisoncar waited for her.
Betty waited a few moments for her mother and Amy Lou to join her, butthey took the street car home, sleepy as Amy Lou was by this time. ForDick and Doris, to their great disappointment, were showing signs ofsore throat and measles was making a few absences at the junior highschool. Mrs. Lee was hopeful that the sore throats were only the resultsof an early hike that the twins had taken together; and she had beensent off to the meet by her husband with the announcement that he wasquite able to act as nurse and see that they took their medicine.
Fortunately the measles did not materialize, but Doris had missed seeingthe meet and Dick had missed something else. Both missed school for afew days, which loss had its compensations.
It was true that neither Betty nor her mother had known just what to doabout paying any attention to the countess. The countess had not met hermother and had not said anything to her father about liking to have hiswife call. The Countess Coletti had, of course, many friends of formerdays among the wealthy members of what was called society in the city.For this group Mrs. Lee had neither means, time nor any real interest,though no one was more likely to have friends. It was easy to make them,in the church, or in the other relations which living naturally broughtabout.
"We belong to a different 'aristocracy,' Betty," said Mrs. Lee. "We,too, can have a certain influence in the community, a good one, I hope,and a little circle of pleasant friends. One is always running acrosskindred spirits."
"Carolyn and Kathryn are my chief ones," laughed Betty.
These remarks were made on the way home from the meet, when in a seattogether, Amy Lou half asleep on their laps, they discussed what Luciahad said.
"Of course you will not repeat to any of the girls Lucia's reference tothe countess and her being 'upset' about some of her affairs. It isimportant to your father that nothing we do is a mistake in reference tothat family. We have made no mistake in waiting for them to take theinitiative. It was a little odd for Lucia to be so frank, but she hasher worries, too, no doubt, and felt that she could trust you as aconfidante."
"She can," replied Betty. "I wonder what sort of a party it will be? Allthe sorority will be there, of course, and probably ever so many girlsthat I do not know. Lucia has some friends in the private schools, butshe likes Lyon High now and wouldn't leave it for any other school. Youshould have heard her tell me about how some of the girls tried to gether away. 'No, no, no,' she said, in that rapid Italian way she has, 'Ilike this big school and everything they do. I've been in a privateschool. I shall have my high school diploma to show my father!' Iimagine the count, then, doesn't object so much to Lucia's going toschool over here."
"His troubles are in another line, I presume."
"Well, whatever their troubles are, I'm glad Lucia came. She's _very_interesting." So declared Betty.
CHAPTER XVIII: THE COUNTESS ENTERTAINS
Spring affairs came on with their hikes, their different activities,their work and their fun, till Betty almost forgot what Lucia had saidto her, in the interest of other things. She saw very little of Lucianow, for the sorority seemed to take up Lucia's time, so far as herassociations were concerned.
Betty was working hard on her studies. She had passed her mid-years withcredit and now she was keeping up the standard for the second semester.It was not so hard as the freshman year's work, yet there were moredistractions as she increasingly took part in the school's activities.
However, there was no basketball. She made progress in swimming, took alittle part in other athletic affairs, earned points and hoped that shewould win "something or other" on honor night, that last function andclimax of the G. A. A. The girls had wanted her to play baseball, butshe "said them nay" as she stated at home. And in her free time she tookup serious practice upon her violin, as well as regular lessons again.Saturdays she saved for picnics and hikes, except a few hours devoted tostudy. Mrs. Lee had a little maid come in now to help at home, thoughDoris and Betty still had very light tasks, chiefly in looking aftertheir own room and keeping things in order. School was exacting and thegirls needed their time if they stood well in their studies, Mrs. Leesaid.
There was some discussion between the parents as to whether it was notoutside affairs that took the girls' time and strength, but inasmuch asmore of it was in the line of healthful activity than of late parties,the decision was to let the girls, particularly Betty, just now, "havetheir chance" and their good times. The little maid needed the work,moreover, and it gave Mrs. Lee the freedom she needed to leave Amy Louand get away from cares.
Betty was "crazy" to get into the junior orchestra another year. Ted,who had been somewhat of an attraction, to be sure, would not be in thesenior orchestra, but Betty liked the idea, with or without anyinteresting boy. He had not invited Betty to accompany him again to anyschool or city entertainment, but he had asked her to a picnic with afew chosen friends and she had had a wonderful time, she reported to thegirls. However, Ted said that Chet and some of the other boys had said"Hands off" about Betty Lee. So Ted put it, and while he reported itjokingly, Betty had an idea that it would make a difference. Well, itwas better than being invited and dropped without a reason, and no boyshould think that she wanted his attentions! And of course Ted was verymuch interested in this other girl. They both would be in the Universitynext year.
Betty felt more grown up when she was with an older boy like Ted andenjoyed the feeling. The junior girls and some of the senior girls knewBetty and were quite inclined to be chummy, at least when thrown withBetty at any gathering.
The sophomores had a picnic, to which Chet invited Betty and one of thegirls whom Betty did not know so well, remarked: "Well, the Dorranceboys keep you in the family, don't they?"
"Oh, no," lightly answered Betty, who did not like the remark, but didnot know how to answer it. Betty did not like to resent what wasprobably not meant to be annoying. From certain indications she waspretty sure that Chet _had_ resented Ted's taking her out and that Tedhad promised Chet not to interfere.
So the time flew, till in the lovely Maytime Mrs. Lee was invited by theCountess Coletti to an afternoon tea at the Murchison home, and Bettywas reminded of Lucia's remarks. The countess was "being nice to Mother"now, and Mrs. Lee reported a large gathering of charming ladies, some ofthem not so attractive or cultured, but many of them simple andinteresting with the results of many opportunities for travel andreading, study and pleasure. "The countess herself is very delightful asa hostess, Betty," said Mrs. Lee. "I feel sure that if she entertainsfor Lucia it will be a gathering planned in every detail."
The series of teas and other entertainment at the Murchison home wasfollowed "at last" by the arrival of invitations for Lucia's friends,invitations with a "crest!" For the _Countess Coletti_ was entertainingfor her daughter.
"Oh, dear, why aren't I Lucia's friend and a little older?" sighedDoris, whimsically, examining the pretty invitation. "I'd always keepthis, Betty, but if you don't care for it, let me have it."
"You can borrow it any time you want it, but it has to go among thearchives, Dorry. I'm sorry you can't go; but it's very likely, if westay here and Father is in the same business, that you can go there sometime."
"But that isn't now," said Doris, strictly adhering to fact.
Betty wondered whether it was a girls' party or whether the boys wouldbe invited, but as she saw several invitations displayed among the boysat school, her unuttered question was answered. It seemed to be takenfor granted that the countess did not expect the young gentlemen tobring the young ladies, though Chet said, "see you at the party, Betty.I hope I'm your partner at supper." Budd Leroy, also, who had shownrecent signs of being interested in Betty Lee, made a similar remarkabout meeting her at Lucia's, though he did not suggest himself as herpartner. "Do you suppose the countess will wear her 'tie-airy?'" Buddadded.
"Do countesses have tiaras?" asked Betty. "I hope whatever she has shewill wear it. What is the use of
being a countess if you can't have somesign of it?"
"Sure Mike," said slangy Budd, who was to be very correct in his speechin the high society atmosphere at the Murchison home a few nights later.
Betty felt very fine indeed, when the Murchison car came for her. Luciahad told her that day at school that it would. "We're taking care of mysorority and your little crowd, Betty, which is my crowd, too, thoughthey don't seem to know it since I joined the sorority. I didn't thinkit would make that difference."
"Do you really care about the girls, Lucia?"
"Of course I do."
"Then I'll tell them, if you don't mind."
"Tell away," said this Italian-American girl with a laugh.
So here were both Carolyn and Kathryn in the car with Peggy and anotherof the sorority girls. There was plenty of room for them to keep theirfluffy dresses from being mussed and with great anticipations theyarrived at the large place which Lucia now called home.
Mr. Murchison was a widower of some two years' standing. This accountedfor the fact that the recent visit had been the first that Mrs. Lee hadmade there. There was no entertaining done until his sister, thecountess, came home. Mr. Murchison had explained the situation to Mr.Lee early in their acquaintance and entertained Mr. Lee and other menfriends at his club down town. There was an old, old grandmother, Bettyhad heard, but Lucia never talked about the household and Betty, ofcourse, never inquired.
There were no class or sorority decorations here. The great rooms, of anold-fashioned type with their high ceilings, heavy woodwork, dark andcarved, were fragrant with the odor of roses, which were Lucia'sfavorite flowers. The walls bore some fine originals from the brush offamous artists and Betty felt that she would like to wander through therooms just to look at them.
But human relations were more interesting yet. The countess did wear hertiara. Perhaps Lucia had suggested that the girls would like it. At anyrate here was near-royalty with its jewels. Lucia was in pink, verybecoming to her style, and wore pink corals, necklace and bracelets. ButLucia, in the language of society, was a sub-deb and must not be toogorgeous yet.
Handsome books were in the library. Vases, tapestry, and rugs, exquisiteornaments, not in too great a profusion, indicated the wealth and tastethat had collected them. Poor Mr. Murchison, thought Betty, to think hehad to lose the wife that helped him make this home. But there again,Betty was mistaken, for it was the Murchison wealth and taste, includingthat of the Countess Coletti, that had made the old home what it was.Mr. Murchison received with the Countess and Lucia. Betty had thoughtthat possibly the sorority president would be asked to receive withLucia. But no, it was merely the family, distinguished enough to besure. Mr. Murchison had not forgotten Betty and met her with a kindlygrace. "You are particularly welcome, Miss Lee," said he. "I have notforgotten how you and your father looked after Lucia and my sister forme."
The first comers were a bit overwhelmed with the elegance of everything,but the countess was cordial and easy and as the rooms filled up withfamiliar faces, the general stiffness disappeared. Ted Dorrance wasthere and a number of juniors, Marcella, of course, and her friends ofboth junior and senior classes. Some older boys Betty did not know atall, as well as girls, airy and assured, that Betty thought must be fromthe private schools of which Lucia had spoken. But they were pretty andclever and with charming manners. Betty was glad to meet some of them.Mathilde was in her element, so far as her feelings was concerned, Bettysaw; but she felt sorry for her, for she was so evidently not of theelect, so far as those other girls were concerned.
Chet and the boys that she knew came around, with Carolyn, Kathryn andthe other girls. Lucia mingled with them all and the countess did notretire, as mothers have some times been known to do. Even Mr. Murchisonstayed until games and some dancing were started. Then he disappeared.And Lucia, too, had an orchestra to discourse sweet music, either fordancing or games or, later, for supper. But who should be her partnerfor a funny game of which Betty had never heard before, but Marcella'sbrother, the Pirate of Penzance!
"I believe, I'm quite sure, indeed, that this is the fair Titania," saidhe, as Marcella introduced him to Betty and told him that he wassupposed to be Betty's partner "for these games," said Marcella.
"Do you know how to play this?" asked Lawrence Waite.
"No, I don't," replied Betty, as Marcella left them.
"Then come on," said Lawrence. "I know a secluded and not too secludedspot. Let's talk. They'll let me do it because I'm not in school withthe rest of you, and already I know Lucia very well."
Lawrence Waite, known as Larry, explained to Betty, as he escorted herto just such a spot as she had read about in the grown-up books. Well,what of it? Wasn't she past sixteen? Why should she not have a handsomeyoung man seating her in the conservatory by a fountain? It turned outto be some sort of a treasure hunt; but when Ted rushed by and called,"Come on, Larry, get into the game after treasure," Larry waved acareless hand and said, "I've found her."
Ted laughed, appreciating the point and Betty naturally dimpled withamusement, but Larry turned to her again, smiling, but not altogether infun. "Really, Miss Lee, I have wanted to meet you since that Hallowe'enat our house."
"It has been sometime, Mr. Waite," suggested Betty demurely.
"Yes, but I've been away at college except at the Christmas vacation.I'm home on a rush trip now. Father wanted me to come, a business matterin which I could help him. I wanted to ask you if you minded that littleaffair. I was around looking for things for Marcella, and I took achance of frightening you, I know, when I lit that candle; but I hadrecognized you, that is, as Titania, and I had to make a train andwanted to see what you really looked like. You were very good to takeoff your mask."
"It was just great fun, Mr. Waite. I should think I didn't mind! Itwould have been very stupid just to have your candle go out and not tohave a single thing happen, not even to look into the mirror."
Larry had half a mind to mention one more thing that he had been temptedto have happen when he saw Betty's face under that shining hair, but hedecided that it was not best. She might think it just his line, and shewas too sweet anyhow and too young for any suggestion of a stolen kiss.Pray heaven she went through high school and college as above anythingdoubtful as she was now! Larry had asked his sister what sort of a girlBetty Lee was, for Larry Waite was really interested.
"It was fun for both of us, then. I told at college that I had lookedover a girl's shoulder in a mirror at Hallowe'en and the fellows said,'Beware, Larry.'"
"I'm not a bit dangerous," laughed Betty, though pleased. Betty wasmodern enough not to be entirely unsophisticated and she did think thatthis was what the girls called his "line." But it was a jolly one,anyhow. She could safely have a good time with Marcella's brother. Hereminded her how as Titania and the Pirate of Penzance they had tripped"the light fantastic" together and now, as her especial cavalier throughthe games and at supper, he really took her some distance on the path ofpleasant acquaintance.
There was no more on the personal line but they were as one on athleticsand many other features of school life. Betty was fascinated at histales of college life and thought it must be great fun to be away atschool. Larry was quite popular with all the girls, Betty saw, and shewondered how Marcella had happened to assign him to her for the supper,for Betty was too modest still to guess that he had made the arrangementwith Marcella, who was planning the arrangements with Lucia and thecountess.
If any one had expected any Italian dishes at supper she was doomed todisappointment. Perhaps the countess was as glad to return to Americanfood and cooking as are many travelers. At any rate it was the customarylate evening supper, dainty and appetizing. Lights, conversation, gaydresses, young faces, much laughter--Betty never _would_ forget it shedeclared to Doris the next morning as she described it in detail to hersister.
"Everybody and everything were lovely, Dorry. I wish you could have beenwith me. And the Countess Coletti is a peach!" with which conclusionBetty hopped out
of bed and began to dress.
"Isn't it a pity," sighed Doris, "that life can't be parties all thetime? And think of it, Betty; school is almost out and next year you'llbe a junior!"
"That is so," thoughtfully replied Betty, but she was thinking just thenof the "Pirate of Penzance."
Betty Lee, Sophomore Page 17
