"Or like mermaids and goddesses," said Mabel.
"She means myths," interpreted Marjory.
"I see," said the cashier. "Perhaps you like real, tangible interest better than the kind you have in school."
"Oh, we do, we do!" cried the four girls.
"After this," confided Bettie, "it will be easier to study about."
Then, with the money carefully divided into three portions, placed in three separate purses, which in turn were deposited one each in Jean's, Marjory's, and Bettie's pockets, Mabel having flatly declined to burden herself with any such weighty responsibility, the four went to purchase their groceries.
The smiling clerks at the various shops confused them a little at first by offering them new brands of breakfast foods with strange, oddly spelled names, but the girls explained patiently at each place that they were giving a dinner party, not a breakfast, and that they wanted nothing but the things on their list. It took time and a great deal of discussion to make so many important purchases, but finally the groceries were all ordered.
Next the little housekeepers went to the butcher's to ask for a chicken.
"Vat kind of schicken you vant?" asked the stout, impatient German butcher.
Jean looked at Bettie, Bettie looked at Marjory, and Marjory, although she knew it was hopeless, looked at Mabel.