It was a pretty sight; the long rooms, still wearing their Christmas trimmings of evergreen and holly, filled with light-hearted, bright-faced young people, keeping time to the strains of the waltz “Uncle Tim” was playing. To the elders, looking on from their sheltered corner, it was like a return to old times.
“Isn’t it lovely?” Amanda said, as she and Debby met for a moment between dances. Amanda felt that Susy’s mother was right—she had never been to a nicer dance.
“There’s Blue Bonnet with Alec’s cousin. Do you like him?” Debby asked.
Amanda hesitated. “He’s—very polite.”
“Sarah’s looking real pretty, isn’t she?” Debby said; it was Debby’s private opinion that all the club members had done themselves proud this evening. She gave her soft pink skirts a smoothing touch; pink was Debby’s color, and this was a perfectly new dress.
“She certainly is,” Amanda agreed; “and she looks as though she were having a good time, too. Mostly, one can never be quite sure whether Sarah Blake is really having a good time, or just being polite.”
Then Blue Bonnet bore down upon them. “What are you two doing off here? You are neither ‘elders’ nor chaperons!”
“Comparing notes,” Debby answered.
“Oh, we’re having the best time ever!” Amanda cried enthusiastically. Blue Bonnet Ashe wasn’t the sort of girl who never cared whether anyone else had a good time or not, so long as she had one herself; Amanda knew girls like that.
“Aunt Lucinda says we’re to form for the supper march soon,” Blue Bonnet said; “I’ve never been to this kind of a party before—but then I reckon I’ve never been to a really truly party before—but I’m trying my hardest to be a credit to the family. Please say I’ve succeeded so far!” she begged, laughingly.