“Oh, how I wish it possible!” exclaimed Eva, dropping the invitation from her hand with a pang of absolute despair. “That is what so many people were talking about: all the customers were full of it. I think Mr. Harold has an invitation. But it is of no use; I wish she had not brought it.”
“Oh, Eva!”
“It is just cruel,” answered the girl, throwing herself into a chair, and clasping both hands over her eyes to hide her tears.
“But you are going, Eva. I promised it.”
“You promised! poor darling!”
“I did, indeed. So just wipe your eyes, and let me tell you something. Look here! Hush, now! do not cry out!”
Here Ruth took a twenty-dollar note from under her pillow, and held it up before Eva’s eyes.
“Ruth, Ruth, where did you get that?” cried the girl, in utter amazement.
“Oh, I have been doing bits of work for it on the sly. Eva! Eva! I won’t keep anything from you. Look here! and here! I have earned it all with my pictures, that you thought so pretty. This is for you. Stoop down, and let me whisper what I mean to do with the rest.”
Eva stooped down, and lifted her head again, all in a glow of delight.