CHAPTER SEVEN
"Hello, Joan." Amanda Westmore stood in the compartment doorway as the girl rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
"Is it that late already?" yawned Joan. She felt as though she had only slept a moment before Amanda's knock awakened her.
"It's nearly noon," said Amanda, "but I can well see how you might be tired. Look, dear! I've brought Eric with me."
"Oh, Eric!" Joan's sleepy mood changed instantly and she was wide awake. "Let me have him," she said anxiously, reaching down toward the box on the floor beside Amanda.
"Not yet, my dear. First, you and I have got to talk."
"There's nothing to be said." Joan was sullen. "What's done is done and there's no way to undo it. Believe me, I've tried to think of ways ever since it happened."
"Never mind feeling sorry for yourself, Joa
