," they said, "was only an excuse."

And there were other taxpayers in the district who thought Mr. Somers
ought to have boarded with _them_, if he had to leave Sam Larribee's!

And of course, the way that oldest Bray girl had taken the school teacher
right away from Sairy Pritchett----

'Phemie thought all this was funny. Yet she was glad Lyddy had not heard
much of it, for Lyddy's idea of fun did not coincide with such gossip and
ill-natured criticisms.

'Phemie was not, however, surprised by the cold looks and lack of friendly
greeting that met them when they came to the schoolhouse this evening.
Mr. Somers had got there ahead of them. There was much whispering when the
Bray girls came in with Harris Colesworth, and 'Phemie overheard one
girl whisper:

"Guess Mr. Somers got throwed down, too. I see she's got a new string to
her bow!"

"Now, if Lyddy hears such talk as that she'll be really hurt," thought
'Phemie. "I really wish we hadn't come."

But they were in their seats then, with Harris beside Lyddy and Lucas
beside herself. There didn't seem to be any easy way of getting out of the
place.

CHAPTER XXI

CAUGHT

Nettie Meyers was there--Joe Badger's buxom friend. She stared hard at
'Phemie and her sister, and then tossed her head. But Mr. Badger came over
particularly to speak to the girls.

Sairy Pritchett was very much in evidence. She sat with half a dozen
other young women and by their looks and laughter they were evidently
commenting unfavorably upon the Bray girls' appearance and character.

Lyddy bowed pleasantly to Mr. Badger and the other young men who spoke
to her; but she gave her main attention to Harris. But 'Phemie noted all
the sidelong glances, the secret whispering, the bold and harsh words.
She was very sorry they had come.

Alone, 'Phemie could have given these girls "as good as they sent." Young
as she was, her experience among common-minded girls like these had
prepared her to hold her own with them. There had been many unpleasant
happenings in the millinery shop where she had worked, of which she
had told Lyddy nothing.

Mr. Somers came down from the desk to speak to the party from Hillcrest
before the meeting opened. But everybody turned around to stare when he
did so, and the teacher grew red to his very ears and remained but a
moment under fire.

"Hul-_lo_!" exclaimed Harris Colesworth, under his breath, and 'Phemie
knew that he immediately realized the situati