"Why of course," replied the other, to her niece's surprise. "But that's a long trip, and if it's shopping, you can do almost as well in Columbus. Or is it a house-party?"
"Neither. Though we are going to stay all night with a girl from school who lives there. But—we're flying."
"Flying? Oh, Linda, please don't! We're in for a snowstorm, I'm perfectly sure. I do wish you would put that plane away for the winter!"
"I can't do that, Aunt Emily. A real pilot has to fly in all kinds of weather. I really need the experience, and the Pursuit is in fine shape."
Suddenly her aunt put down the cards she was fingering and frowned.
"You can't, dear! You'd miss the Evanstons' ball, Beatrice's coming-out party. Why, it's the biggest thing in Spring City—after Kitty's!"
"But I had already declined that invitation," Linda stated coolly.
"You didn't? Oh, Linda, you wouldn't!"
"But I did. The day I got home. Louise and I both did. We wanted to reserve this whole week—between Christmas and New Year's—for ourselves, so we turned down everything."
Miss Carlton looked absolutely aghast.