Part 14 (1/2)

”I don't feel that I'd _like_ to do any such thing.” Marjorie's answer conveyed strong disinclination. ”It's this way, though. You and Connie and I know more about Mignon than the others know. That's why it would be best for one of us to have a talk with her. If all three of us went to her together, it would be more humiliating for her than if only one of us went. I'd rather it wouldn't be Connie. Mignon would gossip about her afterward.” Marjorie paused. She disliked to remind Jerry of her short temper.

”I'll tell you what we'll do.” Jerry rose gallantly to the distasteful interview in prospect. ”You and I will form a committee of two and face Mignon together. You can do the talking and I'll simply go along to see that she doesn't gobble you up. I promise faithfully to be as dumb as a clam. But only for this one time. Just to please you, Marjorie, I'll agree to let her escape what she deserves with a warning. But never again. If, after you've laid down the law to her, she starts any more gossip, then there will be one face missing among the Lookouts. If it isn't hers, it will certainly be mine.”

CHAPTER XIV-AN UNREPENTANT SINNER

Having committed themselves to the unenviable duty of censors.h.i.+p, neither Marjorie nor Jerry had any intention of wavering in the performance of it. The following Monday they met and agreed to pay Mignon a call that evening. They also agreed not to announce to her beforehand their purposed visit to her. It would be wisest to hazard the chance of finding her at home.

Their hearts beat a trifle faster, however, when at eight o'clock that evening they proceeded up the wide stone walk leading to the La Salles'

veranda. In just what fas.h.i.+on Mignon, were she at home, would receive the counsel they had decided must be imparted to her, was something which they could not foretell.

”Br-rr!” s.h.i.+vered Jerry as Marjorie pressed the electric bell. ”I hope she isn't at home.”

”I don't.” Marjorie spoke firmly. ”I'd rather see her to-night and have it over with.”

The opening of the door by a maid cut short further conversation between them. She ushered them into the drawing room with the information that ”Miss Mignon” was at home. Inviting them to be seated, she disappeared to acquaint the French girl with their arrival.

Hardly had they seated themselves when the sound of Mignon's voice raised in sharp question floated down to them from the head of the wide hall staircase. Followed the patter of light descending feet, announcing to them that the dread moment was approaching.

”Good evening.” Mignon's black brows lifted themselves ironically as she beheld her unexpected callers. ”This is really a surprise!” Her elfish eyes roved challengingly from one girl to the other.

”Good evening, Mignon.” Marjorie's calm salutation betrayed nothing of her inner trepidation.

”How are you, Mignon?” was all Jerry said. She, too, had sensed hostility in her hostess' satirical exclamation.

”I was taking a look at my French lesson for to-morrow when I heard the door-bell. French, of course, is very easy for me. I need hardly to glance at a lesson before I know it.” Mignon's sharp chin raised itself a trifle as she made this boast.

”Yes; you have the advantage of the rest of us,” conceded Marjorie honestly. ”French is quite hard for me. The poetry is so difficult to translate.”

”Were you girls at the nursery this afternoon?” inquired Mignon suavely.

She was wondering mightily what had occasioned their call.

”No. It was Muriel's and Irma's turn to go this afternoon. Jerry and I are to take ours on Friday. What afternoon are you to have, and which one of the girls is to go with you? Irma has the list of names. I haven't seen it,” Marjorie added.

Mignon shrugged her shoulders. ”Oh, I was asked to be on duty Thursday afternoon. I didn't inquire who was to help me amuse those tiresome slum youngsters.” She tossed her head with elaborate unconcern. A scornful smile played about her lips. ”It really doesn't matter, though. I shall not be there. I am going out of town on Wednesday evening and shall not return until late Thursday night. I must tell Irma not to count on me this week.”

An awkward silence followed this announcement. Jerry frowned but held her peace. Marjorie's brown eyes showed a faint sparkle of indignation.

Mignon's slighting reference to the nursery children angered her. No trace of her displeasure lurked in her voice, however, as she said evenly: ”I am willing to take your place on Thursday, Mignon.”

”Suit yourself.” Mignon's shoulders again went into ready play. ”I imagine you girls will find that day nursery a white elephant. It will cost the club more time and money than it is worth. It will keep the Lookouts hustling to supply funds for it. The sum of money we now have in the treasury won't last long at the rate it is being spent.”

”We have thought of a way to put more money in our treasury,” was Marjorie's quiet a.s.surance.

Jerry's round blue eyes focussed themselves upon her friend, amazement in their depths. Surely Marjorie did not intend to put Mignon in possession of the Campfire project before the rest of the Lookouts knew it? Marjorie, however, had been visited by a swift flash of inspiration.

In view of the prospective Campfire, Mignon might receive the rebuke about to be delivered in a more chastened spirit than she would otherwise exhibit. She was not likely to cut off her nose to spite her face.

”What do you mean?” Alert interest leaped into Mignon's face. ”What is your new plan?”

Marjorie outlined briefly the money-making scheme which Hal Macy had conceived.