The boys built up a roaring log fire while the girls went to the kitchenette to make the cherished fudge.
“Let me help,” said Bernice in such a gay, sunshiny voice that Dotty looked up in surprise.
“All right, Bernie,” she said, meeting her half way. “You shave off this chocolate, and Doll and I will fix the other ingrejunts.”
All three worked with a will, and in the shortest possible time consistent with good fudge, the candy was ready.
“Sim-pul-ly delicious!” exclaimed Lollie, rolling his eyes up. “Who made it?”
“All of us,” said Bernice, “but mostly Dolly and Dotty. I only helped.”
“It’s the help part that tastes so good, then,” and Bert smiled at her, with a knowing nod.
This delighted Bernice, and expanding under the warmth of Bert’s approval, she tried her best to be entertaining, and in gayest mood she chaffed and joked until she was really the centre of attraction.
“Must go home now,” she said, at last. “I just hate to leave, but Dad gets home at six, and he always wants to see his little girl there waiting for him.”
“Good-bye, Bernie, if you must go,” said Dotty, and then all were surprised to hear Bert say, “I’ll walk around with you,—it’s sort of dusk.”