Two Little Women on a Holiday, Carolyn Wells [ink ebook reader .txt] 📗

That evening, in the drawing-room, Mr. Forbes questioned the girls rather closely as to their enjoyment of the party at the Browns’.

“I liked it,” said Dolly, “but it was queer,—that’s what it was,— queer. The idea of just seeing a performance on the stage, and then rushing through a very fancy supper, and then scooting for home as if the house was on fire!—that’s not my idea of a party!”

Uncle Jeff laughed. “And you, Dotty,” he said, “how did it strike you?”

“I adored it! Everybody was so gay and smartly dressed and quick-spoken,—I do like to hear people say things fast.”

“How queer you are!” exclaimed Bernice; “why do you like to hear people talk fast?”

“Not talk fast exactly, but say things suddenly, funny things, I mean.”

“I understand,” said Mr. Forbes; “you mean bright at repartee and quick-witted.”

“Yes, sir, that’s just what I do mean. And everything was so well planned and well arranged,—oh, I enjoyed every minute of it.”

“Well, I didn’t,” said Bernice. “I’d rather go to a regular party, where they play games and dance and act sociable.”

“Why, the people were sociable enough,” put in Alicia. “I’m like Dot, I thought it was lovely! Muriel is as pretty as a picture—”

“She scarcely said three words to us!” complained Bernice.

“She couldn’t help that. There were so many guests, that she hadn’t time to more than speak a minute or two with each one of them.”

“I like Berwick parties better,” persisted Bernice. “There we all know each other—”

“But, Bernie,” said Dolly, laughing, “all the people at this party knew each other,—nearly. We were strangers, of course, but the rest seemed to be well acquainted with Muriel.”

“And I thought the party was to be for us,” went on Bernice, “and I thought we’d be introduced to everybody, and be—well, be SOMEBODY, you know.”

“Oho! you wanted to be honoured and lionised!” and Uncle Jeff’s eyes twinkled.

“Not exactly. But I understood from Mr. Brown that the whole affair was gotten up for us, and so I think we ought to have been noticed more. Why, the boys just scraped acquaintance with us, and even had to ask our names!”

“That’s the way they do at large parties, Bernie,” said her uncle. “You are supposed to talk to any of the other guests without introduction.”

“Well, it’s no sort of a way! They were awfully nice boys, but I don’t suppose we’ll ever see them again.”

“Oh, yes, we will,” said Dolly. “They asked to call on us, and I said I’d ask you, Uncle Forbes. Would it be all right?”

“Bless my soul, Dolly! I don’t know. I’ve so little knowledge of etiquette for young people. Ask Mrs. Berry, whatever she says, you may do. Who are the boys? Hosmer? Knapp? Oh, they’re all right. I know the families. But as to their calling, put it up to Mrs. Berry. And, by the way, how’d you girls like to have a party, a real one?”

“Like the one we went to to-day?” asked Bernice, doubtfully. “I don’t care much about it.”

“Well, have some other kind. There must be other ways of entertaining. What would you like, Bernice?”

“I’d like a little party,—but I suppose that would have to be formal, too.”

“Oh, gracious, you old hayseed!” exclaimed Alicia. “You go back to the country! I’d love to have a party, Uncle, the biggest and grandest there is! Muriel Brown would invite the people for us, I’m sure. Oh, it would be just heavenly! We’d have an orchestra, and a midnight supper, and—oh, and everything!”

“Hold on, my child, don’t go too fast! We’ll only have what you all agree on. Come, two D’s, what do you say?”

“We oughtn’t to say,” laughed Dolly. “It’s for your nieces to choose. And anyway, Dot and I like everything, and we’d enjoy any kind of a party—or no party at all.”

“You’ve a nice disposition,” said Mr. Forbes, looking at her. “Don’t you ever lose your temper?”

“She hasn’t any to lose!” Dotty answered for her. “In fact, she’s too awfully good-natured for any use! But she has other faults. She’s as stubborn as a perfectly good mule! Aren’t you, Dollums?”

“I s’pect I am,” and the golden head nodded. “But only when I care enough to be stubborn. As to this party, I don’t care what sort it is, ‘cause I know it will be lovely, anyway. That is, if we have it. But seems to me invitations for a big affair ought to be sent out several days in advance, and we’ll be going home the middle of next week.”

“Why, you’ve only just got here!” said Mr. Forbes.

“Well, it’s Friday night now, and we came last Wednesday for a week. So, if we go home next Wednesday, that party would have to be in three or four days, and that’s a short time.”

“Of course,” agreed Alicia. “We couldn’t give a big party on such short notice.”

“That’s easily arranged,” and Mr. Forbes laughed; “stay another week.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” cried Dolly. “My mother wouldn’t hear of such a thing. The other girls can, though.”

“I wouldn’t if Doll didn’t,” declared Dotty. “But Bernie and Alicia could stay.”

“So we could,” said Bernice. “My father will let me stay as long as Uncle Jeff wants me.”

“I can stay, too,” said Alicia, “But it’s lots more fun to have you other girls with us.”

“We’ll see about all that,” and Mr. Forbes dismissed the subject.

A footman came in to say that Miss Fayre was wanted on the telephone.

“Oh!” cried Dolly, her face turning white, “do you suppose any thing’s wrong at home? Mother had a cold; maybe it’s developed into pneumonia!”

“Nonsense, child; don’t borrow trouble. Probably it’s nothing of the sort,”

“Isn’t that Dolly all over?” said Alicia, after Dolly had left the room. “She always thinks the worst there is to think!”

“Maybe she’s right,” said Dotty. “Mrs. Fayre does have awful colds,— hark, I hear Dolly laughing! It’s all right!”

They all listened, and they heard Dolly say, “Oh, perfectly splendid! I’d just love it!—Thank you!—Yes, indeed!—I’m ‘most sure—oh, delightful!—Well, I’ll ask her—Fine!—Yes, yes,—just wait a minute,—I’ll ask her now—hold the wire.”

Followed a whispered conversation, and the girls caught the sound of Mrs. Berry’s voice.

Unable to restrain their curiosity longer, the three rushed out to the hall and saw Dolly, her hand over the transmitter, talking to Mrs. Berry.

“What is it? Tell us all!” cried Bernice, and Alicia crowded close to listen.

“Oh, girls,” and Dolly beamed at them, “it’s the loveliest invitation! Marly Turner wants us to go, to a skating party tomorrow afternoon at St. Valentine’s rink! And Mrs. Berry says it will be all right for us to go. Yes,” she continued, speaking into the telephone. “Yes, we can go. And we’re all most happy to accept. What time?”

“Four o’clock,” came the answer. “Meet our crowd at the rink. So glad you can come.”

“So are we,” returned Dolly, “and thank you, ever so much. Good-bye.”

“Good-bye,” said Turner, and Dolly hung up the receiver.

“Tell us more,” cried Alicia. “What did you hang up so soon for? Why didn’t you let US talk to him? What an old selfish you are!”

“I couldn’t, Alicia,” and Dolly looked hurt. “I knew from his manner and speech that he only; wanted a reply to his invitation, and I wasn’t expected to say more.”

“But why did he ask for you?” grumbled Alicia; “why not for me?”

“I don’t know, I’m sure,” and Dolly laughed; “he did, that’s all. Let’s go and tell Uncle Forbes about it.”

“All right, girls; all right. Glad you’re going. Have a good time. Marly Turner? Yes, yes, son of the Bayard Turners. Nice boy. His crowd will be all right. Can you all skate? Did you bring your skates? If not, get some. Get whatever you want. Look as good as the rest. Goodnight now. Goodnight, all.”

Abruptly, as usual, Mr. Forbes left the room, and as the girls were getting accustomed to his eccentricities they nodded their goodnights, and then began to plan for the skating party.

Mrs. Berry appeared and helped them decide on certain details of costume and accessories.

The two D’s had brought the pretty skating costumes they had worn at the Berwick carnival, but as Bernice had been the queen that night, her white velvet gown was out of the question. Alicia, too, had no appropriate garb, so these two bought new dresses.

The final result was four very becomingly attired girls who started merrily off on Saturday afternoon for the party at the rink.

Four bunches of violets, with Marly Turner’s card, had come to the house, and each fair damsel wore one at her corsage.

Dolly’s suit was