“Oh, he is an old bachelor and has a Japanese servant to look after him. He has a most beautiful studio apartment, but of course I couldn’t go there.”
“Of course not, but you could go somewhere, couldn’t you?”
“It seems to me you are very anxious to get rid of me,” said Ellen laughing. “Do you want to get me out of the way so as to do some weird stunt which would make me lose my respect for you?”
“No, but I can tell you the real reason, now that the way has cleared for you to go in proper raiment. I had a letter the other day from my friend, Bertha Martin. We were buddies over there in France, and there is no one I like better. Well, she married before we left, and I was her bridesmaid, the first and only time I ever served in that capacity. She has been begging me to come to see her. Now she is in her own home, and is bent and determined that I should spend Christmas with her, and I confess, Ellen, that I am crazy to go. It wouldn’t cost any more than our keep here, you see.”
“And you were going to stay at home because of me. Oh, Cousin Rindy! I could go to Caro or somebody.”
“I hadn’t thought of that, and besides I’m not going to have you make a convenience of any one. You’d rather go to the city, wouldn’t you?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Then we’ll try to fix it up. I’ll write to Bertha to-day, and you can write to your friend, Mrs. Austin.”
But Ellen decided that it would be better to consult Mr. Barstow, who, as an intimate friend of the Austins, could tell her if a visit would be acceptable to the latter. An answer came by return mail; Ellen was to come right along. Mrs. Austin was writing to urge her not to fail them. They would have a jolly time. Mr. Barstow himself was planning all sorts of things. She wasn’t to fuss over a holiday outfit; they could dress her up in studio properties and call her a lay figure or a model or something like that.
The cheery, cordial letter was very heartening. Once more would Ellen have a share in those things which she loved, in the unconventional way of living, the informal parties, the free-and-easy companionship. The letter from Mrs. Austin gave assurance that she was very much wanted, and she began her preparations with a light heart.