“I’m glad you came just as you did,” she was saying. “It seemed as if you would never get here, and I was afraid I would have to go without seeing you.” 33
“We hurried just as fast as we could, Lucy, as you see,” said Jessie, panting from the quick run.
“Of course you did, but it seemed an age to me. Listen, girls,” she went on, “everything’s all ready. Your dresses are laid out on the bed in my room, and you’d better get them on as soon as you possibly can.”
“You’re going to the station now, Lucy, aren’t you?” asked one of the girls.
“Yes, right away. I suppose we’ll be back again in about half an hour. Good-by; I’m off!” and she ran down the steps, only to turn at the bottom to add, “Don’t forget any of the directions, girls, and don’t make the least noise when you come into the room, or it will spoil everything. Good-by; I’m off now for good.”
“We’ll do everything just right,” Jessie promised.
“Good luck!” they called after her as she hurried along.
“She almost seems to be walking on air, doesn’t she?” one of them remarked, as she turned for a last wave.
“No wonder,” said Evelyn, gloomily. “She’s going to our guardian.”
“Lucy said they would be back in half an hour,” sighed Marjorie. “How can we wait that long?”