Marjorie frowned. “No!” she said emphatically, “she isn’t coming any of the time.”
Jack looked disappointed, but said nothing more. Ruth had always been a favorite of his, and he could not quite imagine a party without her.
In a minute or two, both machines pulled up to the station, and the young people got out, just as the whistle of the locomotive was heard around the curve beyond.
Almost before the train stopped, Mae and Doris had reached the platform, and Ethel, Marian, and Frances were close behind them. Marjorie had not expected Anna, who had gone far away for her vacation; but she was surprised to miss Lulu Davids.
After the girls had kissed each other, and the boys had been introduced, Marian hastened to explain the other girl’s absence.
“Lulu took a bad cold yesterday,” she said, “and her mother wouldn’t let her come. I guess you’ll get a letter from her to-morrow.”
Marjorie expressed her disappointment, and the girls began to get into the machines. Jack and Roger both clamored for Doris’s suitcase; then, remembering their manners, they went to the assistance of the other girls.
While the girls were unpacking their suitcases, Marjorie outlined the program.
“After you rest, and dress, we’re going to have dinner quietly at home—just mother and dad, and Jack and Roger besides us; then the boys are going to take us to the early show at the movies. So we’ll get back by nine-thirty, and get into our nighties, and have a little something to eat in our rooms, and settle down early. To-morrow mother’s going to let us sleep as long as we want, and then Jack and Roger will drive us over to the cutest little tea-room out in the country for lunch. We’ll come back early to rest and dress for the dance.”
“I’m so excited about the dance!” said Mae, her eyes sparkling.