The first thing that every one wanted to do after breakfast was to call at the American Express Office for mail. It had been accumulating ever since they left London, so there was plenty to go around—letters and papers from home for all the party, and for Babbie a note from Billy Benson.
“He got here last night, too,” she explained, “and he’s still with Mr. Trevelyan, so evidently it’s all right about the name. He wants our address and says he’ll be around to see us late this afternoon, and possibly Mr. Trevelyan’s sister may come, too. He was telephoning her while Billy wrote. Oh, dear, I don’t believe mother’s going to want me to go to the dance, after all. But I’ll answer this so they’ll know where to find us.”
Initiating Betty and Babe into the delights of Paris was an exciting task, and by the middle of the afternoon they were all quite ready to go home, put on their thinnest dresses, and drink iced tea under the magnolia tree while they waited for the advent of Billy and Mr. Trevelyan. It was six o’clock, however, before the men arrived, hot, tired, and in Billy’s case, somewhat out of temper.
“It’s an awfully out-of-the-way street,” he complained. “Why, Trevelyan knows Paris like a book, but he couldn’t find it. We’ve walked and walked and asked and asked. We were late starting in the first place, though, because Trevelyan’s sister didn’t come.”
“It’s very odd,” Mr. Trevelyan put in. “She was to have come to our hotel at three, after doing some shopping with her friend. It was perfectly understood, but we waited till four and she did not come. I am sure only some unavoidable accident has prevented her joining us.”
“Surely your mother will let you go all the same to-morrow?” Billy asked Babbie.
Babbie looked doubtful. “I don’t know. Not that she would blame your sister, Mr. Trevelyan; but she’s awfully particular about chaperons and she isn’t strong enough to chaperon me to dances and things herself. She’s lying down now, but I’ll write you the first thing in the morning. Will that be soon enough to decide?”
“Sure,” said Billy gaily, “only we thought —Trevelyan has errands to do in the morning, but he suggested that we meet in the early part of the afternoon for a little sight-seeing. You could let us know then, you see.”
“If you haven’t been to the Louvre yet, we might have a look at that together,” suggested Mr. Trevelyan gravely. “I understand some of the finest galleries are to be closed next week for repairs.”
“Oh, I’m so glad you warned us in time,” said Madeline. “I’m always missing things at the Louvre because they’re closed for repairs. Where shall we meet and when?”