"Oh, I wouldn't say that," cried Nan.
"She's dressed to kill, just the same. I'd like to take her for a good long tramp in that outfit she came in."
"Procrastination means this Riotous Rhoda has got too much money—like Linda Riggs," put in Laura.
"I wonder if that Rose Ranch she comes from is a nice place," said
Nan. "Just think! A real cattle ranch!"
"Pooh!" said Amelia. "My uncle owns a dairy farm. What's the difference whether you have muley cows or long-horned Texas steers?"
Laura was still chuckling at this when Bess returned with several girls who crowded into the room behind her. There was a busy time for a few minutes as the girls dressed Amelia in an old pillow-slip with eye-holes burned in it, and placed in her hand the staff of a broom, over the brush-end of which was drawn another bag, on which, in charcoal, Grace Mason deftly drew a very wise looking owl in outline.
Thus arrayed, Amelia was to lead the procession and be Mistress of Ceremonies. They were about to start when Laura Polk was suddenly missed.
"Now, where has she gone?" demanded Bess. "She's just like a flea!
You put your hand on her, and there she isn't!"
But Laura was back in a moment. She brought with her, and dangled before their wondering gaze, a suit of paint-stained overalls, jumper and all, that evidently by their size belonged to Henry, the boatkeeper and man of all work of Lakeview Hall.
"I hid 'em the other day," declared the red-haired girl. "You never know what may happen, or how such garments as these may come in use."