"She done take the party with her!" Sarah wailed.
Miss Kirby looked more indignant than surprised; to have come home and found that nothing untowards had happened would have been the surprising thing.
"I ain't laid my eyes on her since them six gingham aprons came gavorting up the walk!" Sarah proclaimed dramatically. "That young-un's a limb, for shore!"
Miss Kirby sat down on the piazza bench. "Gingham aprons, Sarah," she repeated. "Patrick, what can she mean?"
The doctor shook his head, smiling, "That remains to be discovered."
"For the love o' goodness, Miss Julia!" Sarah implored; "the nexest time you sets out to give a party for that there young-un, I hopes and prays you stays home to sup'intend the obsequies youself!"
The doctor turned to send Sam on to the barn.
"Gingham aprons," Miss Kirby murmured.
"Ain't Miss P'tricia done 'tire herself in one for the 'casion!" Sarah exclaimed; "and ain't she done tell all the others over that 'phone to do the very same—I ain't never held with thet there 'phone, nohow—'tain't nothin' better'n devilment, anyhow. My sakes, such doings, Marse Doctor! You and Miss Julia just come cast your glance over this supper table!"
They followed her into the dining-room.