“We’ll take the ‘Whitecap’ to the beach with us,” she said, as she put on her hat, “and the boys can draw pictures in it. Jack’s quite clever at catching a likeness.”
“But what about dinner?” said Marguerite, piteously, her responsibilities as Chaperon suddenly beginning to weigh upon her.
“That’s all right, Daisy,” said Tom Burleigh, who had been holding a whispered but emphatic conversation with Harry Bond. “We realize the unexpectedness of this visitation, and ’tis but natural that you girls should find yourselves unable to cope with it—whereupon and therefore and for which reason we beg to inform you that we will get the dinner ourselves, and all we ask of you, fair ladies, is your gracious company.”
With a flourish and a grand bow, Tom completed his speech and awaited a reply.
“It doesn’t seem quite right,” said Marguerite; but Betty said:
“Oh, bother! of course it’s all right. It’ll do you boys good to do a little work, and I, for one, accept your invitation with delight.”
“Me, too!” shouted all the other girls, and Marjorie inquired where the dinner would be served.
“In Hilarity Hall, of course,” said Tom. “But don’t ask questions, miss. When you’re invited out you mustn’t be rude.”
“And we’ll invite the kind lady and gentleman next door,” put in Roger, “for ’tis to them we owe this trip, anyway.”
Uncle Ned and Aunt Molly were pleased to accept the invitation which was duly offered them; and then, after a few mysterious confabs with Rosie, the boys declared they were at the young ladies’ services, and all ran down to the beach.