Elizabeth tried on the next selection, a pretty little organdy with tiny bunches of flowers over it. She liked this frock very much and hoped it would do. But, alas, it was as bad as the other, and Elizabeth’s face fell. “I can never wear them, can I, mother? What shall I do? I have nothing but winter frocks and they will look so funny. I’d almost rather not go than wear a woollen frock when all the other girls will have on light ones.”
Kathie had taken up the white frock and was examining it. “It would be very little trouble to change these into elbow sleeves if there were any way of lengthening the skirt. It has already been faced, I see. I suppose you haven’t a piece of embroidery or insertion that could be put on.”
Elizabeth’s face brightened as she listened to the suggestions. It seemed a very easy matter to make the alterations, she thought.
But Mrs. Hollins shook her head. “I am afraid I have not a scrap of anything that would do and it is too late to send to town for anything. I use up materials very closely, and what Elizabeth outgrows we make over for Babs, you know. Let us see what can be done with the organdy.”
Kathie began overlooking the frock. “It hasn’t been faced,” she said, “but I am afraid it has faded and would show where it was let down. I will measure the other skirts and see if there are any longer than these or that have not been faced.”
However, it appeared that there was nothing any more promising. Elizabeth’s wardrobe had not been added to very liberally the summer past as she was housed the greater part of it. Seeing the state of things, the tears gathered in the child’s eyes. “I can’t go, I can’t go,” she wailed. “Oh, fate is cruel, cruel! To hold this beautiful prospect before me and then to snatch it away. I was resigned to staying at home till I got the invitation, but now it is much more bitter.”
“My dear child,” begged her mother, “don’t take it so tragically. We will try to contrive something. If we only had a little more time we could make over something, I am sure, but with only one day, I am afraid we couldn’t. I wish I had more of that white material, Kathie; it might do to piece on a hem; it could be done neatly, or could be joined with lace or something of that kind. I am sure I have no more of the stuff, for I remember I used the last scrap for the sleeves. Suppose you look through your things and see what there is; you might find something that could be ripped from one of your frocks and could be used.”
Elizabeth lifted her head from the pillow where she had buried it, and felt somewhat heartened. “Would you have time to alter it, mother, if Kathie does find anything?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, I think so,” said her mother cheerfully. “We will make time. There is the rest of this afternoon and evening, and all day tomorrow.”
“But tomorrow is New Year’s; I’d hate to have you sew all day on New Year’s Day,” said Elizabeth.