But Elsie was unusually silent.
"She can't get Mrs. Moran out of her mind," Frank thought.
He left them at the door, for the hour had grown so late that he felt he
could not just then spare the time to go into the house, much as he
wanted to do so. Inza and Elsie went up-stairs together. Winnie was out
or in another part of the house.
Inza shrugged her shapely shoulders.
"What is the matter, Elsie, dear?"
Elsie's lips were quivering as she faced round and confronted her
friend.
"You ought to know what is the matter, Inza Burrage!" she declared.
"I'm not the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter," said Inza, a bit
defiantly. "How should I know?"
"You do know!"
"I should say that you are showing a bit of jealousy, if pressed for an
answer."
"And haven't I a right to be jealous, Inza?" Elsie demanded.
"Haven't I a right to talk to Frank Merriwell and be nice to him, if I
want to?"
"Of course, Inza, but--well--you know----"
"It seems to me, Elsie, that you came between Frank and me once! Isn't
it so? Frank cared for me before he ever did for you. You came between
us. I haven't come between you and Frank yet, but if I should do so
would it be any worse than what you did?"
"Oh, I thought that was past!" cried Elsie, flushing and trembling.
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