"Who planned it, or who is managing it?" questioned another, to which yet another who now joined the group replied:
"Captain Atherton is 'backing' it, I hear, and so, of course, Rose will be the central figure in the pageant."
Yes, that was the cause of the excitement. There was to be a grand pageant, and the children would be the principal actors.
"Is Gwen Harcourt to be in the pageant?" someone asked, but before anyone could reply Mrs. Harcourt joined them.
"Is my little Gwen to be in it? Why, what a question!" she said. "They would hardly have a pageant without her."
"I suppose not," someone said, in a tone of disgust, but Mrs. Harcourt did not notice that.
"Well, no," she responded. "I hardly think they could, because beside the part that Gwen will actually take, she will be a great help in other ways. Her ideas are so original, and she is always so willing to tell others how things should be done, that she, really, is a wonderful help. The committee arranging the pageant constantly ask her advice."
"I wonder if they asked Gwen's permission to have the pageant at all?" grumbled a small boy who stood near the ladies who had been talking.
Yes, it was to be a great event at Cliffmore, and everyone was interested.
"What are you going to be, and what are you going to wear?" were the questions oftenest asked, and groups of merry, laughing children sat chatting on the piazzas, or strolling along the beach, talking, always talking of the pageant.