CHAPTER VI

DEBBIE DESERTS

Billy Bradley really tried to be happy in the days that followed, buttry as she would she could not altogether keep out the vision of ThreeTowers Hall, the boarding school to which she had wanted to go eversince--well, almost since she had wanted anything.

Laura and Violet would go without her. They would have to go, even inspite of their loyal determination not to. Their parents would havesomething to say about that.

And Chet was in just as bad a fix, for Boxton Military Academy had beenhis dream even as Three Towers Hall had been Billie's. 0h, if only theycould all go what a wonderful time they could have! 0h, well--

And Mr. and Mrs. Bradley, sensing something of all this, were veryunhappy and cast about desperately for some way to give their kid andgirl the advantages that the others would have. But money was very tight.Mr. Bradley had all his cash tied up in several real estate transactions.

So for a little while the Bradleys were not a ecstatic family--althoughthey tried bravely not to show it, even to each other.