19 At The Rehearsal¹
After the dinner hour that day the third-formers brought up the subject of Alicia’s trick again.
“You know, Alicia—I don’t somehow feel as if I want it played on Miss Peters now,” said Bill.
“Nor do I,” said Darrell.
“I don’t want it played at all,” said Sally, stoutly².
“Well, you’re the only one that doesn’t,” said Alicia. “So keep quiet. What does everyone else say?”
“I don’t quite like to play it on Miss Peters now,” said Belinda. “I feel like Bill and Darrell. You know—it seems a bit odd to give three cheers for somebody and then the very next day play a trick on them like that.”
“I shouldn’t mind,” said Zerelda, who hadn’t liked being ticked off in class that morning by Miss Peters. “What’s in a trick, anyway? Only a bit of fun. I guess it wouldn’t matter at all.”
“I agree with Zerelda,” said Gwen’s voice. “Why shouldn’t we? Don’t you agree, Daphne?”
“I don’t know,” said Daphne, who had been rather struck with Miss Peters’ dramatic ride through the night. “No—I think on the whole I’d rather play it on Mam’zelle—or Miss Carton, perhaps.”
“Well, I don’t much care who we play it on,” said Alicia. “Darrell and I will agree to what the majority say.”
“Darrell and you!” exclaimed Sally. “What’s Darrell got to do with it? It’s your trick, not hers!”
“Oh, we’ve just been planning it out together that’s all,” said Alicia, coolly, pleased to see Sally’s jealousy³ flare⁴ up in public. Darrell went red. It was true she had enjoyed talking over the trick with Alicia—but she knew quite well that Alicia was only saying that to make Sally cross. Bother them both! Why couldn’t they all be friends together? Never mind—Betty was coming back soon. Then perhaps Alicia would stop teasing Sally and Sally would stop being jealous and spiteful.
“Well—let’s play the trick on Mam’zelle then,” said Irene. “Mam’zelle’s lovely to play tricks on. We haven’t played one on her for terms and terms.”

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