Half an hour later, breathless from hurrying, they entered the reception-room and found Dr. and Mrs. Farwell still talking to Mrs. Baird, and lingering over the remains of their tea.
“Enjoyed your walk?” asked Mrs. Farwell.
“We’ve had such a cozy tea party that we haven’t had time to miss you,” the Doctor added.
Mrs. Baird acknowledged the compliment with a smile.
“If the girls are to go out to dinner,” she said, “I think they had better go upstairs and dress: it’s almost six o’clock.”
“Are we going out to dinner?” exclaimed Lois.
“Yes, both of you,” replied Mrs. Farwell; “so hurry up.”
“Thank you so much, it’s ever so kind of you to ask me, too,” said Polly, suddenly mindful of Aunt Hannah and her instructions in manners, then, as suddenly forgetting them:
“What a lark, we’ll be ready in a jiffy,” and catching Lois by the arm she dragged her up stairs.
The Village hotel, under Dr. Farwell’s insistent demands, produced a passably good dinner. Every one was in such high spirits that the time flew by.