“I’m having a tea-party this afternoon,” Blue Bonnet said. “Just a lot of girls, or you should have been invited.”
“I’m afraid I don’t like tea-parties,” Alec laughed.
“This is my first. I think it’s going to be lots of fun; only I’m scared I sha’n’t do Aunt Lucinda credit.”
“There isn’t anything to do, except put on your best duds and act ‘proper.’”
Blue Bonnet took a second sandwich. “But acting ‘proper’ in Woodford seems to mean such a lot.”
“What time does the shindig come off?”
“Half-past five. Sarah Blake’s coming, and Kitty Clark, Amanda Parker, Debby Slade, and Ruth and Susy Doyle. I know Sarah and Debby; they’ve called. There are a lot of girls in Woodford, aren’t they?”
“Loads. And I’ll bet my best hat that not a single one of them, if they had a tea-party on, would be off tramping the woods like this,” Alec said, passing the apple turnovers and cheese.
“But it isn’t until afternoon!” Blue Bonnet exclaimed. “Oh, Alec, think how nearly summer is over! School’ll be beginning soon now. It’s going to be odd, having a woman teacher; I’ve always studied under tutors. I’ve had a lot of different ones. Aunt Lucinda says that largely accounts for my ‘desultory habits.’ But I’ve read a good deal. Uncle Cliff used to have a box of books sent out every little while. I haven’t kept up my music very well—all of the tutors weren’t musical. I can play by ear, though; but Aunt Lucinda says it would be better if I didn’t.”
“What makes you quote Miss Clyde so much?” Alec asked.