On the floor above was a long bowling alley, a billiard-room and a bewildering succession of other rooms, some fitted up with paraphernalia of which Patty did not even know the use.
But she was greatly impressed with the kindness of a father who would fit out such a wonderful place of delightful recreation for his children.
“It isn’t only for us,” said Elise, as Patty expressed her thoughts aloud; “father and mother use it to entertain their friends in the evenings. There is a card-room and a smoking-room, and up at the top a big ball-room. But of course we children just use these lower floor rooms for our games and things. Now, shall we have the meeting first, I mean the regular society meeting, or play games first and meet afterwards?”
“Let’s play first,” said Patty, “because we mightn’t have time for both.”
This was unanimously agreed to and soon the Grigs were quite living up to their name, as they played various games.
Patty, Elise, Hilda and Editha played tennis at first and afterwards played basketball, while the others took the tennis court.
After an hour or more of this vigorous exercise they were quite ready to sit down and rest, and Elise said, “Now we will all go and sit in the hall and have our meeting.”
This hall was a large square apartment on the second floor. There was an immense open fireplace, where great logs were cheerfully blazing; and on either side were quaint, old-fashioned settles, large and roomy, and on these the girls ranged themselves.
“This is the nicest society,” said Clementine, “because we don’t have to do anything at any particular time. Now here we are holding a meeting on Thursday, when Saturday is our regular day. But I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t meet any day that happens to suit us.”
“I think so, too,” said Hilda; “we haven’t any rules and we don’t want any. Has anybody any plans for next week?”