“I’ll be delighted, of course. Are they some of my girls?”
At this moment, the girls jumped out from around the corridor and rushed up to Miss Phillips, congratulating her and wishing her many happy returns of the day. While she untied the box, Ethel closed the door, and Frances led in the parody of the song, which the girls sang softly, but distinctly.
“Roses!” exclaimed Miss Phillips, lifting them out of the box. “My favorite flowers!”
After the girls had seated themselves, Miss Phillips was handed her presents. She received candy, gloves, handkerchiefs, and fancy collars. Noticing the particular package which Marjorie had given her, she left it till last to open.
“Just what I wanted!” she said, delighted, as she examined the camisole closely. “Did you do all that for me?”
Marjorie nodded, and Ruth began to look after the refreshments, in order to hide her embarrassment.
“That certainly is a pretty pattern,” continued Miss Phillips. “Why, I believe it is the same one Ruth has been making, isn’t it?”
Ruth flushed, but answered unconcernedly, “Yes, I am making a night-gown yoke for mother. Marjorie let me copy it.”
“Yes, I remember, that was the piece I examined for your second-class test.”
Marjorie opened her mouth in speechless amazement. What did all this mean? Ruth had only begun this pattern while she was at home for the holidays—and yet she had passed the test several days before she left! She glanced at Ruth, who was handing around the cake in a most indifferent manner. There must be some mistake—Miss Phillips must have forgotten.