The next day saw Noahdiah with a stage full of passengers and such a pile of luggage as he declared he “didn’t know as he’d ever be able to h’ist on.” However the boys helped with strong arms as well as with suggestions and finally the whole twelve persons were safely stowed away with their trunks roped on at the back, piled on top or serving as seats. The Corners left the train at Sebago that they might make the promised visit to Cousin Maria, while the others went on to Boston, the Gordon boys to continue their journey to Virginia, Hartley and Effie, with Daniella, to return to their home, while Jo turned off to go to her aunt’s where she would stay till she should be ready to start for college.
The Corners felt that they must hurry for there were the bridesmaid dresses to be made and the wedding presents to be bought for Miss Dolores, so they did not tarry anywhere till New York was reached. “I can scarcely wait to see Miss Dolores,” said Mary Lee when they had reached their hotel. “I’m going to call her up first thing.”
“Do wait till you have washed your face,” replied Nan. “It is all over cinders; you would have the car window open.”
“Oh, I had to; the cars were so hot and stuffy after living in the open air all these weeks.”
“But you don’t have to call her up the instant you get in.”
Mary Lee concluded she could take time to remove the cinders, but she did not delay long after that, and when she returned from the telephone she was as excited as it was in the power of Mary Lee to be. “What do you think, Nan?” she exclaimed. “Mercedes is coming to-morrow and Miss Dolores wants us to come up to dinner, stay all night and go with them first thing in the morning to meet the steamer. They think it will be in by half-past eight or nine, so we shall have to make an early start. Won’t it be fun?”
“It will be fine,” Nan responded heartily. “Does she want all of us to come?”
“Oh, no, only our two selves who know Mercedes. I’ll go ask mother, then I’m to telephone Miss Dolores. She is so glad we reached here in time.” She went off, presently returning to say that Mrs. Corner had no objection to the arrangement. “Please hurry, Nan, while I go to the telephone,” said Mary Lee.
“But why hurry? The steamer isn’t coming in to-night.” Nan liked to tease Mary Lee. “There is plenty of time before dinner.”
“Oh, but, Nan, don’t you want to see Miss Dolores and her trousseau, and Mr. St. Nick?”