CHAPTER XVIII
A NEW YEAR FETE
The next morning was the day of the New Year. As usual, every one did as he or she chose during the morning hours, but luncheon time brought them all together again.
The three boys had been out of doors all the morning, and seemed glad to return again to the society of the American strangers.
The girls had been happy enough by themselves, and though they liked the French boys well enough, had privately agreed that they were not half as nice as American boys.
But half a dozen young people, if good-natured and enthusiastic, are bound to have a merry time together, and as the six grew better acquainted their national differences wore away somewhat.
Ma'amselle announced that the fete of the day would be an early evening party, followed by a supper.
She had invited the neighbouring gentry, both young and old, as was her custom on Jour de L'AN, and, as she explained, she was making it "more of an elaborateness" this year by asking her guests to come in fancy costumes.
This delighted the girls, for they all loved dressing up, but they had no notion where their fancy costumes were to come from.
But Ma'amselle replied, "It is arranged," and during the afternoon she led them to a large apartment which she called the Room of the Robes.