Elizabeth looked with astonishment growing into delight as Kathie held up the frock. Then she gave one squeal of excitement and threw herself prone on the bed, from which she immediately raised herself to say: “Oh, what a delirious dream of delight! I have a fairy godmother after all.”
“You seem to have had several of them,” returned her mother, “and they have been working like Trojans for you all day. They gave your own mother no chance to lend a hand.”
The yellow frock went on over a soft silk slip of the same color, made from Kathie’s; the shoes and stockings were pronounced “Too fine for anything!” the bows were adjusted upon the curling auburn locks, the gold beads were fastened around the slim little neck and Elizabeth stood arrayed. It was a simple little costume, with elbow sleeves and round neck, very slightly cut out, but Elizabeth envied no one. Let who would wear blue chiffon and lace over pink—she did not care; and she went off with such a radiant face as repaid those who had spent New Year’s Day working for her.
With her brother Dick as escort and well wrapped up for the cold walk, Elizabeth fared forth gayly. At the gate of the Lynde house they met Betsy and Hal. The house looked very festive, brightly illuminated as it was. The door was flung open with a flourish by an obsequious individual, a nephew of aunt Darkey’s who had come up from the city to serve upon this occasion. “Ladies’ room to de right; gemmans’ to de lef,” he announced, much as if he were calling off the figures in a dance; and the two little girls excitedly went up, turning their heads to notice the decorations, the odor of flowers and the subdued strains of music. It was all their fancy painted it. “If only Corinne were different,” was Elizabeth’s only regret.
Betsy had been let into the secret of Elizabeth’s dress, but clung to her white mull as being quite nice enough. She looked very dainty and sweet and was as appreciative as Elizabeth could wish when the wonderful frock was displayed to her. They went downstairs together and on to the drawing-room where stood Bess in all the magnificence of blue chiffon and pink rosebuds. Several guests had arrived and these stood in little groups, rather shy and awkward as yet. Elizabeth and Betsy made their greetings and then looked around the room. Corinne was not there. “Probably she preferred to be fashionably late,” conjectured Elizabeth. “Corinne hasn’t come yet,” she ventured to Bess.
For a moment Bess was possessed by mixed feelings, part relief part shame. No one knew; no one would ever know why Elizabeth’s invitation had failed to reach her at the proper time. Bess had no idea of telling. She looked at Elizabeth, really quite pleased to see her appearing so happy and so well dressed. After all there were no friends like old friends. Elizabeth would be sure to do her share in making the party a success. She was always the life of a company. “I am awfully glad you could come, Elizabeth,” she said, with her old-time cordiality. “Corinne has the mumps; she can’t come.”
And so the last unpleasant element passed out of Elizabeth’s anticipations. It was a fine party. She enjoyed it to the extent of her ability, which was great. Betsy, too, had almost as good a time. Bess enjoyed it to the measure of her capacity, which Dick said was as a half-pint measure to a gallon, when he was comparing the fulness of his sister’s joy with that of the rest.
CHAPTER X
Elizabeth Offends
THE party over and holidays past, there was nothing to look forward to but a long stretch of school-days, cold mornings and colder nights. It was generally too cold in the attic for Elizabeth to seek that retreat so she and Betsy preferred the latter’s warm room where, if they played quietly, they were allowed entire freedom. Paper dolls were much in favor these times and their adventures as set afoot by Elizabeth would fill a book.
At school matters went on quietly, although there were days when Elizabeth longed for excitement. Corinne having duly recovered from her mumps, “on both sides,” took her place again. She was much chagrined at having to forego the party and did not like to have Bess talk about it. As it was the favorite topic of this young person she and Corinne became less intimate. Elizabeth had given unstinted praise to the great entertainment, had told Bess she looked perfectly lovely in her blue frock and had said many other nice things; therefore Bess was glad to be again considered second best and conveniently forgot about her share in withholding Elizabeth’s invitation. The easiest way out was always the rule Bess abided by, and as long as things in the present went smoothly she did not bother about either past or future.