McGraw©Hill/Focus/Beauty Is Truth p.17////R7N3 ***** At 125th Street, they all got off, Jeanie and her friend,

Barbara, and a crowd of other boys and girls who went to the same

downtown high school. Through the train window, Jeanie thought

she saw the remaining passengers look at them with relief and

disdain. Around her the boys and girls pressed forward with

noisy gaiety. They were all friends now. They were home again

in Harlem. A tall boy detached himself from a group, bowed low and

swept his cap before him in a courtly salute. "Greetings Lady Jeanie. Greetings, Barbara." Jeanie bit her lip. Frowning, she pulled her coat closer

and shrugged. Barbara smiled and dimpled, pleased for her

friend. "I told you he likes you," she whispered. "Look, he's

waiting. Want me to go on ahead?" Jeanie really was wasting an opportunity. Norman was keen.

She saw Jeanie's head, slightly bowed and thrust forward. It was

no use. She was an odd girl, but Barbara liked her anyway. The

boy swung gracefully back to his group. "Coming to the show tonight?" Barbara asked. "No, I can't. I'm so far behind in my homework, I'd better

try to do some before they decide to throw me out." Jeanie still

frowned. "Want a Coke or something?" asked Barbara as they passed

the big ice©cream parlor window, cluttered with candy boxes and

ornate with curly lettering. They could see the juke box near

the door and some boys and girls sitting down at a table. It

looked warm and friendly.