Phyllis looked uncomfortable and tried to smile. It was Sally who explained.
"She was coming, but at the last minute she had to go home. Phyl and I are going over for her a little later and, darling mother of mine, we will bring her over here to call on you if you promise us hot cinnamon toast and cake to go with tea."
Mrs. Ladd laughed and pinched Sally's cheek. She was a tall and strikingly handsome woman with flashing black eyes and the jolliest laugh in the world. All Sally's friends loved her almost as much as they loved Sally, and she was always in demand with Auntie Mogs to act as chaperone to the various skating and theater parties.
"You are getting very grown up," she answered now, her eyes twinkling. "Last year it was hot chocolate you wanted and the year before that ice cream and now it's tea."
"And we really hate it," Phyllis laughed. "We'd lots rather have chocolate."
"Oh, well, give us chocolate then," Sally exclaimed. "Only be sure there's plenty of toast."
"For Phyllis's twin, I suppose," Mrs. Ladd laughed. "Very well, I'll remember," she promised, as she left them to go out.
The girls ate hurriedly and then talked up in Sally's room until they thought it was time to go back.
"What shall we do if she won't come?" Sally said seriously.
"Oh, there's no fear of that," Phyllis replied hastily. "She'll come if we are there to make her and she will love your mother, I know she will. I do hope she hasn't gone out anywhere with Auntie Mogs."