"If they expect coffee I tell them beforehand they just won't get it." "She says her name's Irene Beverley," volunteered Elsie Craig, in a perfunctory voice, as if she were performing an obvious duty and getting it over.
"Oh, indeed!" "Well, now we know, so there's an end of it." It could hardly be called a flattering reception.

The general attitude of the girls was the reverse of friendly.

The kettle was suddenly boiling, and they were concentrating their attention upon the making of the coffee, and rather ostentatiously leaving the stranger outside the charmed circle.

Irene, used to school life, knew, however, that she was on trial, and that on her present behavior would probably depend the whole of her future career.

She did not attempt to force her unwelcome presence upon her companions, but, withdrawing to the window, pretended to be utterly absorbed in contemplation of the scenery.