"I am trying to induce Miss Birdie to go to the carnival ball with me to-morrow night," said Monte. "It's going to be no end of a lark."
"Take me, too, Birdie, please!" burst out Nance with such childish vehemence that they all laughed.
"What's the matter with us all going?" cried Mac, instantly on fire at the suggestion. "Mother's having a dinner to-morrow night, but I can join you after the show. What do you say, Bird?"
But Birdie was still in the sulks, and it was not until Mac had changed places with Monte and brought the full battery of his persuasions to bear upon her that she agreed to the plan.
That night when the girls were tucked comfortably in bed and the lights were out, they discussed ways and means.
"I'm going to see if I can't borrow a couple of red-bird costumes off
Mrs. Ryan," said Birdie, whose good humor seemed completely restored.
"We'll buy a couple of masks. I don't know what Monte's letting us in
for, but I'll try anything once."
"Will there be dancing, Birdie?" asked Nance, her eyes shining in the dark.
"Of course, Silly! Nothing but. Say, what was the matter with you and Mac to-night? You didn't seem to hit it off."
"Oh! we got along pretty good."
"I never heard you talking much. By the way, he's going to take me to-morrow night, and you are going with Monte."