“What surprise?” demanded Lily.
Ethel smiled mysteriously; it was fun to tease these girls because they always responded so readily.
“Oh, I’m not going to tell you—it wouldn’t be a surprise then.” She exchanged glances meaningly with Mrs. Munsen, who sat at the head of the table, and who was evidently in the secret.
“Just give us a hint, then!” begged Alice.
“Well, then—I advise that nobody go to bed before—say half-past eight! You might miss some fun!”
“Don’t count much on me,” remarked Marjorie, with a great display of indifference. “I have to go over some work with Mrs. Hadley, before our big Council of War tomorrow.”
“Just as you like!” replied Ethel, adopting the same tone.
After supper the girls scattered in all directions. Marjorie settled herself at the desk in the living-room to go over some accounts; Alice and Florence lingered in the dining-room to help Mrs. Munsen to clear away the supper; Lily departed to take her roadster to a public garage for the night; and Marie Louise and Ethel went out to sit on the porch.
“We’re the only lazy ones in the whole bunch,” remarked Ethel, as she selected a magazine from the wicker table and sank into a cushioned seat beside it; “but if they only knew it, they aren’t going to work long!”
“Ethel, what do you mean?” asked her companion, as she unwound some tatting from a shuttle she took from her pocket. “Please tell me! I won’t breathe it to a soul!”