“I am very sure he appreciates that, and it will be a great thing to have you all while I am here.”
“We think it is going to be great fun,” returned Jack, and then she gave her attention to the next course which happened to be something she particularly liked.
After dinner the matter of the bracelet was given attention and Jack was made the proud possessor of the ornament, merely a simple little gold band, very plain, and so the more suitable for so young a girl. Jack lost no time in displaying it. “I may keep it and wear it, mayn’t I, mother?” she asked somewhat anxiously.
“Why, I think so, dear. Carter is an old friend and we couldn’t refuse to accept his little gift.”
“And I may wear it to-morrow?”
“Certainly, on such an occasion you are at perfect liberty to wear it, but you must not put it on at all times.”
“I will ask you when I ought to.”
Yet Jack was nothing if not heroic, and seeing on Jean’s face a woebegone look she said after a great struggle, “After all, Jean, I won’t wear it to-morrow because we are to be dressed exactly alike and it might spoil the effect if I had a bracelet and you didn’t.”
Nan who was standing near laughed at the idea of the small gold band having such an effect, but she gave Jack a hug. “You old precious,” she said. “I will lend Jean my bracelet that Aunt Helen gave me on my birthday rather than not have you wear yours.” And so it was arranged to the satisfaction of all three.
Next another pretty piece of jewelry came into the possession of all the bridesmaids when Miss Dolores collected them into her room to give them her gift. Mercedes received a dainty locket and chain, while to the four Corners were given pearl pins, all of the same shape, though each was set with a different jewel, besides the pearls, to correspond with their birth months, so Mary Lee’s were emeralds for May, Jack’s and Jean’s turquoises for December, while Nan’s was set with topazes, for November.