“Why, but surely you are going. Is there any reason why you should not?” asked Miss Jewett. She did not know what cause might keep Elizabeth at home, although she knew Mrs. Hollins was not liable to deprive her little daughter of this pleasure without good reason.
“There is a very good reason,” Elizabeth told her: “I am not invited.”
“Oh, but Elizabeth, there must be some mistake. I saw the list myself, and I can vouch for your name being on it. I am sure I saw it. Neither Mrs. Lynde nor Mrs. Ferguson would be so unkind as to leave you out. There must be some mistake.”
“I don’t believe there is,” said Elizabeth, “for Bess and Corinne took around the invitations themselves, and Bess would know. She couldn’t forget me even if she isn’t friends any more.”
“Aren’t you friends? I didn’t know it was as bad as that.”
“I’m friends, but Bess isn’t,” said Elizabeth. “She hasn’t been since she became such chums with Corinne.”
Miss Jewett was thoughtful for a moment, then she repeated: “There must be some mistake. I still think so. I wouldn’t feel badly, Elizabeth, until we really discover what is the matter.”
It was not till two days before the date of the party that Miss Jewett had an opportunity of asking any questions. She spent part of her holidays with her own family and did not return until the morning of the thirtieth. On the train she met Mrs. Ferguson who had been to the city to make some necessary purchases for the entertainment, and the two chatted together until they reached Brookdale.
In discussing the different girls Mrs. Ferguson spoke of Elizabeth in such a manner as to lead Miss Jewett to believe that she was expected to be one of the guests.
“Bess is very particular that we should consider this a most formal affair,” said Mrs. Ferguson, “and is quite put out when any of those invited fail to write a note of acceptance; but I tell her it is too much to expect all that from the little girls who do not know grown-up ways, and she must take it for granted that all will come whether they say so or not.”