“All right,” agreed the other, and she with her two protégées went in.
The entrance hall of Rivercliff School was a revelation to Beth. She had been in two or three of the better houses of Hudsonvale besides that of Mrs. Euphemia Haven; but none of them had been on a scale with this, nor of such style.
The ceiling was very lofty. There were several very good paintings on the walls, and they were properly hung. The furniture was heavy and of substantial appearance, rather than ornate. The upholstery and hangings were in soft tones and of rich fabrics which gave an air of splendor to the place that almost awed the newcomer. She felt very much like the country mouse visiting his city relative.
“Isn’t it scrumptious?” whispered Molly, who appreciated just how the new girl felt. “I tell you, this and the two drawing-rooms are the show places of Rivercliff.”
“And this beautiful staircase,” murmured Beth, gazing up the polished spiral that ascended in the middle of the great room.
“Do you know,” giggled Molly, “this reception hall and that staircase were what brought me here to school?”
“No!”
“Yes,” exclaimed the jolly girl, but with more seriousness. “Aunt Celia came here first and saw it. Then Aunt Catherine journeyed up the river to behold its wonders. Next, Auntie Cora and Aunt Carrie thought they must see it—and they did so.
“I came to school for the first term, and Aunt Charlotte got so lonesome for a sight of me, so she said, that she came up to visit. But I found her here, every chance she got, just soaking her mind in the artistic atmosphere of this reception hall,” giggled Molly.
“After that Aunt Cassie and Aunt Cyril simply had to see it——”