"I do! I do!" clamored the twins, and the other girls were not far behind in echoing the cry.
"Tell us about it," said Jack leaving Mr. Pinckney and coming to Carter's side.
"Tell me," said Jean going over to Mrs. Roberts.
"It is the flower festival at Pasadena that always takes place on New Year's Day. Every go-cart and wheelbarrow in the place dresses up in flowers and parades the streets. I thought it would be rather fun to be in the parade with my motor car," Carter told Jack.
"Oh, wouldn't it?" said Jack. "Take me, Carter?"
"We'll see. The honor of being in it is to be accorded to the one who will suggest the most appropriate scheme of decorations for my car. That is what Mrs. Bobs and I decided on. Those who are not inlookers can be onlookers from some point of vantage. Notice my vocabulary, Miss Helen. We shall have high jinks, ending up with a swell dinner and fireworks when we get home."
"I speak to furnish the dinner," said Mr. Pinckney.
"Now, I say," began Carter, "you're trying to steal my thunder."
"I think you might give an old fellow a chance when there is one," returned Mr. Pinckney in an aggrieved tone.
"Do humor the child, Carter," said Mrs. Roberts. "You know he will pout and fret and spoil everything if you don't."