Page:Emily Climbs.pdf/276

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
264
EMILY CLIMBS

that old house up at Derry Pond,” said Evelyn smoothly.

Emily suddenly flushed. There was something in Evelyn’s tone—the innocent fact seemed all at once to take on shades of a sinister significance. Was Evelyn being deliberately insolent?

“I don’t know why she shouldn’t tell the story,” said Emily, coldly. “It was a good joke on her.”

“But you know how people will talk,” said Evelyn, gently. “It’s all rather—unfortunate. Of course, you couldn’t help being caught in the storm—I suppose—but Ilse will only make matters worse. She is so indiscreet—haven’t you any influence over her, Emily?”

“I didn’t come here to discuss that,” said Emily, bluntly. “I came to show you something I found in the old John house.”

She held out the leaf of the scrapbook. Evelyn looked at it blankly for a moment. Then her face turned a curious mottled purple. She made an involuntary movement as if to snatch the paper, but Emily quickly drew it back. Their eyes met. In that moment Emily felt that the score between them was at last even.

She waited for Evelyn to speak. After a moment Evelyn did speak—sullenly:

“Well, what are you going to do about it?”

“I haven’t decided yet,” said Emily.

Evelyn’s long, brown, treacherous eyes swept up to Emily’s face with a crafty, seeking expression.

“I suppose you mean to take it to Dr. Hardy and disgrace me before the school?”

“Well, you deserve it, don’t you?” said Emily, judicially.

“I—I wanted to win that prize because Father promised me a trip to Vancouver next summer if I won it,” muttered Evelyn, suddenly crumpling. “I—I was crazy to go. Oh, don’t betray me, Emily—Father will be furious. I—I’ll give you the Parkman set—I’ll do anything-only don’t———”

Evelyn began to cry. Emily didn’t like the sight.