A footman came in to say that Miss Fayre was wanted on the telephone.
"Oh!" cried Dolly, her face turning white, "do you suppose any thing's wrong at home? Mother had a cold; maybe it's developed into pneumonia!"
"Nonsense, child; don't borrow trouble. Probably it's nothing of the sort."
"Isn't that Dolly all over?" said Alicia, after Dolly had left the room. "She always thinks the worst there is to think!"
"Maybe she's right," said Dotty. "Mrs. Fayre does have awful colds,—hark, I hear Dolly laughing! It's all right!"
They all listened, and they heard Dolly say, "Oh, perfectly splendid! I'd just love it!—Thank you!—Yes, indeed!—I'm 'most sure—oh, delightful!—Well, I'll ask her—Fine!—Yes, yes,—just wait a minute,—I'll ask her now—hold the wire."
Followed a whispered conversation, and the girls caught the sound of
Mrs. Berry's voice.
Unable to restrain their curiosity longer, the three rushed out to the hall and saw Dolly, her hand over the transmitter, talking to Mrs. Berry.
"What is it? Tell us all!" cried Bernice, and Alicia crowded close to listen.
"Oh, girls," and Dolly beamed at them, "it's the loveliest invitation! Marly Turner wants us to go, to a skating party to-morrow afternoon at St. Valentine's rink! And Mrs. Berry says it will be all right for us to go. Yes," she continued, speaking into the telephone. "Yes, we can go. And we're all most happy to accept. What time?"