“I—I don’t believe grandmother would let me,” Elsa replied, making a brave effort to keep a steady face.
“Why don’t you ask her for Elsa, mamma?” inquired Alice. “Do, mother of mine,” urged Ben.
Mrs. Holt’s face flushed, then grew pale, and a look of pride came over it. “I cannot do that, children, much as I would like to have Elsa remain.”
“I will ask Mrs. Danforth,” Ruth Warren said quickly, going to the telephone. Presently she returned to the impatient group and said in a cheerful tone:
“Elsa’s grandmother wants her to come home. She asks me to say to you, Elsa, that you will not be sorry you came.”
But even this last part of the message could not keep Elsa from turning quickly away, toward the window, to hide her feelings.
“I will go and harness Jerry,” said Ben, hurrying out of the room. The others talked very fast for a few moments.
“I wish you could stay all night, Miss Ruth,” Alice said more hospitably than thoughtfully, when Miss Ruth was putting on her coat.
“There is no use in my thinking of it,” Miss Ruth answered quickly: “my Aunt Virginia would never give her consent.”
It was so funny to think of grown-up Miss Ruth having to mind that Elsa, feeling comforted, came away from the window and began to get ready for the drive home.