Betty Lee, Junior

Betty
Lee, junior, was now almost sixteen and attractive. There would be problems of
love affairs some time, but not yet, it was to be hoped, though Betty was
mature for her age and had considered herself as “going on sixteen” ever since
her last birthday. Betty’s dreams of a Prince Charming were natural enough but
not serious and never connected with anyone in the flesh, unless a thrilling
memory of one Hallowe’en and of attention from a college youth on a later
occasion could be considered as coming in the category of dreams. 

Chet
Dorrance had recovered from his first attack of being impressed with a girl and
was less “obvious” in his attentions to Betty. But he still preferred her
society when he could get it, for picnics, class parties and the like, seeing
her home or arranging for her company. Betty in her turn, had confidence in
Chet, who was always the gentleman, and felt safely escorted when she was with
him. There was nothing “thrilling” about the friendship and the girls rarely
teased Betty about Chet. Very little of what could properly be termed social
life was permitted by any of the parents who were the safe background of Betty
and her friends. Contacts were chiefly at school and in school activities, all
very natural and pleasant. Another boy for whom Betty felt a real friendliness
was Chauncey Allen, Kathryn’s brother. Chauncey had taken a sudden upward
growth till Kathryn looked like a little girl beside him and her vivacious ways
were in contrast with his quiet though often droll speech and action. He was
active enough, to be sure, and was to play with the basketball team after
Christmas. From him, since she and Kathryn were together so much, Betty heard
all the boy news of the school, but Chauncey rarely engaged her society for any
event. Indeed, Chauncey rarely bothered about girls, though he liked Betty,
Kathryn said that since Chet fancied Betty, Chauncey would “let it go at that.”