“No,” replied she. “Ran asked first.”
“But I took it for granted. We were paired off in the procession, so—of course.”
“You mustn’t take everything for granted,” returned Nan shaking her head. “Suppose I had taken it for granted and you had not, I might have been a wall-flower.”
“You’d never be that,” he returned; “you dance too well. This is mine, anyhow,” and he guided her off in a two-step.
It was the happiest of evenings to more than Nan, for after everything had become quiet, Jo found a chance to gather her friends around her. “There was never such a birthday for any Mother Goose,” she said. “All the good times in my life I owe to you dear people, and if I never have any more, I shall at least have the memory of those which no one can rob me of.” And considering that Jo was usually a thoughtless person, as well as one little given to sentimentality, it showed that she was much moved.
CHAPTER XV
BEFORE THE STRAW RIDE
The straw ride did not come off the next evening, after all, for there were signs of rain, then it was decided to wait for a moonlight night when they could go to a small village where ’Lish informed them they could get ice-cream that was “lickin’ good,” so with such a prospect in view they all concluded it was worth while to wait. In the meantime there was plenty to occupy them, both during the day and in the evening. Generally the whole party would congregate on the porch after breakfast where they would “train” as ’Lish called it, till some one would say: “I’m going out on the lake.” This would be the signal for a “scatteration.” Some would take to the canoes, others to the woods. Those more indolently or quietly disposed would either remain where they were or, with a book, would seek a hammock under one of the great trees. In the afternoon there was usually a gathering at Place o’ Pines where a cup of tea could always be looked for, the girls taking their turns in serving. Miss Helen and Mrs. Corner enjoyed this outing, as indeed they did many of the others. Dr. Paul and Mr. Wells always returned to camp with the party, staying to supper and returning when the time came for lights to be out.
During this time Nan took more than one opportunity to steal off by herself that she might work secretly upon the little sewing case she was making. That for Dr. Paul had been the work of the first rainy day when all sat around the open fire industriously sewing. Mary Lee had fashioned a like case for Ran, Daniella had made a fac-simile of her own for Hartley, being assisted by Mrs. Corner, for Daniella had not had much experience in such things and needed instruction. She was, however, so careful to obey directions, and was always so anxious to do her best, that she really did not turn out a bad piece of work. Effie had been persuaded by Ashby to try her powers on a case for him, so there was work enough for all hands, and for more than one rainy day.
Jo, though expert enough in sewing up wounded fingers, declared she could not do fancy work, and indeed the little case she attempted for Miss Helen was such a funny-looking, clumsy affair that every one laughed at it except Miss Helen herself, who insisted upon keeping it, saying it was quite in character with the rough clothes she wore at camp.