Mr. Somers, the school teacher, was possibly somewhat offended because Lyddy had refused to accompany _him_ to the club meeting; but for once Lyddy took her own way without so much regard for the possible "feelings" of other people. The teacher could not comfortably take both her and 'Phemie in his buggy; and why offend Lucas Pritchett, who was certainly their loyal friend and helper? So when the ponies and buckboard appeared after supper the two girls were in some little flutter of preparation. Old Mr. Colesworth and Grandma Castle (as she loved to have the girls call her) were on the porch to see the party off. The girls had worked so very hard these past few weeks that they were both eager for a little fun. Even Lyddy admitted that desire now. Since their first venture to the schoolhouse and to the chapel, Lyddy had met very few of the young people. And 'Phemie had not been about much. Since Sairy Pritchett and her mother had put their social veto on the Bray girls the young people of the community--the girls, at least--acted very coldly toward Lyddy and 'Phemie. The latter saw this more clearly than her sister, for she had occasion to meet some of them both at chapel and in Bridleburg, where she had gone with Lucas several times for provisions. Indeed she had heard from Lucas that quite a number of the neighbors considered 'Phemie and her sister "rather odd," to put it mildly. The Larribees were angry because Mr. Somers, the school teacher, had left them to board at Hillcrest. "Measles," 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.