‘It is a good thing that it is holiday time, missy,’ she said, ‘if you are going to sleep half the day after every party. I think we will have to send you to bed two hours earlier on Monday night, for I have just got an invitation for all of you to go to Mrs Seton-Kinaird’s on Tuesday. She is going to give a very fine party indeed, and I am sure you will enjoy it. There is to be a conjurer and performing dogs.’
‘Oh mother!’ cried Claude in great excitement, springing to his feet, ‘and am I asked too? I have never seen dogs perform in my life.’
‘Yes, you too,’ said his mother, smiling, ‘and Ronald and Vivian. Mrs Seton-Kinaird asked you all to come.’
‘To come where?’ asked Ralph, who had just entered the room, followed by Ronald.
‘To a party with performing dogs and a conjurer,’ replied Claude; ‘and, Ronald, you are asked too, and Vivian. Isn’t it a pity you are going home?’
‘Perhaps they needn’t go,’ said Isobel. ‘Couldn’t you write to Aunt Margaret, mother, and beg her to let them stay until Wednesday?’
‘Perhaps I may,’ said Mrs Osbourne, smiling.—‘What would you say to that, eh, Ronald? Or do you think that you will have had enough of London by that time, and be wearying to get home?’
‘Indeed I won’t,’ said Ronald eagerly. ‘I would love to stay, and so would Vivian, I know, if mother will let us. It is awfully good of you to ask us.’
‘Where is Vivian?’ asked his aunt, noticing his absence for the first time. ‘Ah, here he comes,’ as Vivian came running up the back stairs.—‘Why, you are quite wet, my boy,’ she said in surprise as she laid her hand on his shoulder. ‘You surely have never been outside in that pouring rain?’
‘I ran out into the summer-house to see if I had not left my knife there,’ said Vivian, wriggling from under her grasp. ‘It was not very wet, auntie, and I ran the whole way.’