“Oh, I think so,” said Babbie eagerly. “I wish he’d turn around again, and I could be sure. He’s just the jolliest fellow, and I haven’t seen him for two years. Oh, dear, we’re starting!” as the tram gave a jerk and a lurch, and was off.
“Never mind, Babbie,” teased Babe. “Remember your dear Jack and the touching farewell that caused us all so much anxiety. We can’t be bothered with another of your suitors so soon.”
“Don’t apply the title of suitor to John, please,” laughed Babbie, leaning over for a last look at the figure on the steps. “He’s as much of a professed woman-hater as you are man-hater, but he makes an exception of me because I like to tramp and ride horseback. You’d like him, Babe. Madeline, do you know where to get off for this tea place?”
Madeline didn’t; and as the conductor didn’t see fit to come up, Babbie had to climb down, while the tram was going at full speed, to find out.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” said Madeline, when they were settled at one of the tables in Miss Jelliff’s Tea Rooms. The seats were carved oak settles, there were wonderful brass candlesticks in niches by the door, and on the tables were bunches of pale blue irises, to match the blue china. The bread was in what Babe called a “three-story revolving bread-case,” the toast in a quaint little English toast-rack, and the jam, pepper and mustard in fascinating pots, while the cups, though all blue, were of different shapes and patterns.
“Let me pour the tea,” begged Betty. “Which cup do you each choose?”
“I’m so glad we came,” said Babe. “First maxim for travelers: When you have had enough, stop. As I thought of that, I demand first choice of cups.”
“All right,” conceded Madeline. “Second maxim for travelers: When in doubt, drink afternoon tea. I demand second choice of cups.”
“I shall get third choice, anyway, shan’t I?” said Babbie. “So I needn’t weary my brains thinking of maxims.”
So Betty poured the tea, and Madeline told fortunes for all the party in the grounds, after which the smiling waitress appeared and asked them how much bread they had eaten.