Mrs. Hollins was highly pleased at the secret, and the two friends began at once upon the task. Elizabeth and Betsy were denied admittance and the next morning Kathie started off early to Miss Dunbar’s, carrying materials in a suit-case and providing herself with all necessary measurements as well as with one of Elizabeth’s frocks for a guide. She remained away all day, calling up her mother on the telephone once in awhile to report progress, in order that Mrs. Hollins might know whether her help would be needed.
About dark Elizabeth heard her sister’s and Miss Jewett’s voices in the hall below. “It’s all ready, Elizabeth,” called Kathie cheerily. “Go into my room and we’ll help you dress. Bring your things in there. We are going right up.”
“I can’t find my shoes and stockings,” came word over the balusters presently.
“Oh, can’t you?” Kathie made answer. “Never mind. I took the shoes, you know. I’ll get them when I come. I do want you to see what a darling little frock we have made,” she said in a subdued voice to her mother, as she hastily opened the suit-case and brought forth the yellow silk muslin. “I suppose she will have to know at once because she will have to see the shoes and stockings. Look at these dear velvet bows, mother. Won’t they look fine on the child’s auburn head. Mattie Paine is going to send over a yellow fan she has, and I am going to lend my beads, the gold ones. Coming, Elizabeth!”
Cutting short her mother’s exclamations of admiration and pleasure, Kathie hastily put the frock back and ran upstairs, Miss Jewett and Mrs. Hollins following, all three being eager to see how Elizabeth would take her surprise.
“We shall want more light than this,” decided Kathie, as she entered the room lighted by only a small lamp. “I’ll go get the big lamp from mother’s room, Elizabeth.” She hurried out, leaving Elizabeth standing in the middle of the floor, dressed up to the point of petticoats but wearing her bedroom slippers. “You can take off that extra petticoat; you won’t need it,” remarked Kathie, setting down the lamp and lifting the suit-case to a chair.
“Why won’t I need it?” inquired Elizabeth. “I always wear two with thin frocks in winter.”
“Never mind, do as I tell you,” commanded Kathie, fumbling at the fastening of the suit-case. “Here are your shoes and stockings,” she continued with a little laugh, handing them to her sister.
“Why, why,—” began Elizabeth.
Mrs. Hollins and Miss Jewett stood by smiling at her. Kathie shook out the yellow frock. “Here is your costume, Miss Elizabeth,” said Kathie. “It has changed color since last night, hasn’t it?”