This was such a sensible and just arrangement that the little girls readily agreed and started off in high spirits to leave an order here, take a note there, and finally to wind up with a call upon Miss Eloise, who, they knew, would be interested to know about their trip to the city.
"I was just thinking about you children," said Miss Eloise from the little porch of the bungalow, where she was sitting when they drove up. "I am going to have a sewing-bee to make things for the bazar, you know, and I want you all to come."
"Oh, lovely," cried they. "Tell us about it, Miss Eloise."
[139] "Day after to-morrow, it is to be, and those that have dolls to dress can bring them, or you can bring anything else, fancy work or anything. I can't sew very long at a time, but I can try to entertain you and can come in strong with advice." She laughed, and the girls crowded around her.
"Tell me about the trip to Boston," she went on. "How many dolls did you buy, and what else did you get? Sister and I have thought of several nice things to do for the bazar, and ever so many of the young people are going to help. Rudolph is going to donate some photographs and will take orders for others; then some of the boys are going into the woods for tiny little cedar and pine trees which we are going to plant in pots. Mrs. Morrison's sister has promised to make some paper dolls—I remember the beautiful one she made for Louis to send to you last year, Edna,—and, oh my, we are going to have a big time."
She stopped to take breath and the children began to tell of their trip to the city, of their purchases, and all the rest of it.
"If Ben were only here," said Miss Eloise when they had finished their account, "we might give the little play that the G. R. club gave at the close of the year, but we couldn't do it without him."
"Besides," said Jennie, "we are the only ones of the club who are here, and there wouldn't be enough time to get it up."
[140] "Why couldn't we do it when we go back?" suggested Edna. "We might sell tickets, you see, and get ever so many to come, for there were quantities of people who wanted to come last time, but we could invite only so many."
"Why, Edna, that is a great scheme," cried Miss Eloise. "It would be very little trouble, for those who took part before, as they all have their costumes and would only have to look over their parts. Let's tell sister." She called Miss Newman from the house and it was agreed that such a plan might easily be carried out. "And," said Miss Eloise, "it will be a true Golden Rule performance. Dear me, what wonderful things are happening all the time, now that I have come out of my shell."