"What time shall we come?" asked Bernice. "Tell me about the details;
I'm Mr. Forbe's niece."
Bernice was always a little jealous if the D's seemed to be consulted rather than herself or Alicia.
"Oh, no details specially. All informal, you know. Come when you like,—nine, maybe, or half past. If you're feeling conventional about it, my mother will call on you—by telephone—and ask you proper."
"Oh, no, she needn't do that," and Bernice laughed at the idea. "We're only little girls. If Mrs. Berry says we can go, your invitation is enough."
"Good work! Be sure to come. Crazy to have you. 'Scuse me a minute,—there's a girl I want to speak to."
Sam darted off, and another boy dropped into his vacated seat. It was this touch and go effect that Dotty liked, but to Dolly it seemed a whirling maze.
And, indeed, almost before they knew it they were all whirled off home.
CHAPTER XI
THE COLLECTIONS
On Sunday, dinner was in the middle of the day, and directly after it was over Mr. Forbes led the four to the drawing-room, as was usual in the evening, and asked an account of the dance.