Elizabeth was not long in understanding the contents of the note. “Joy! Joy!” she cried. “Mother, Kath, it’s come! It was a mistake after all. I can go! I can go!”
“What in the world is this all about?” asked Kathie, coming in from the next room, followed by her mother.
“The party,” answered Elizabeth. “I can go, for they did send me an invitation and I never got it at all. Oh, I am so glad. Shall I wear my white dress or my organdy?”
“We will look them over and see,” promised her mother.
“We’d better be quick about it then; there is only one more day in case there is anything to be done to make a dress ready,” said Kathie. And Elizabeth flew to the attic to bring down her summer store of frocks.
CHAPTER IX
In Despair
AS Elizabeth tossed the pile of summer frocks on the lounge her mother took them up one by one and examined them. Finally she selected two and said: “These seem to be in the best condition, but it has been several months since you wore them and you have grown, Elizabeth. You’d better try them on and if they are all right I will get Electra to press out one of them.”
Off went Elizabeth’s frock, Betsy’s nimble fingers helping her to unfasten it. “Try the white one first,” suggested Betsy.
Elizabeth slipped it on, then looked down at her arms and legs which seemed to have shot out suddenly like a telescope. “Oh dear, it is much too short in the sleeves and skirt,” she exclaimed. “I didn’t know I had grown so much.”
“You remember that you did not wear this many times last summer, for you were laid up with those eyes of yours,” said her mother. “One can grow a good deal in six months. Try the other one, daughter. Perhaps it will be better.”