However, the day slipped away. By dinner-time, her throat felt as if a good-sized potato had taken up its residence there. Her head ached and her bones ached, and down in one corner of her heart she began to wish that some one would say positively that she could not go to the party.
Meantime, after luncheon Eunice had begun to feel heavy-headed and stiff-necked herself. Like Cricket, she carefully concealed the fact, and resolutely put on a bright face and a very “smily” smile, if any one looked in her direction. Each child was so absorbed in concealing her own feelings that neither noticed the other.
At dinner, both being rather exhausted by such unusual exertions, they were so silent that papa asked them finally whether this was the night they were going to Emily Drayton’s party, or the night they were going to be hanged. He himself had forgotten, he said, and he couldn’t tell by their faces.
“They have been going to this party every day and night for a week,” said mamma, looking rather anxiously at each flushed face. “No wonder they are all tired out beforehand. I had them both lie down for an hour this afternoon, also. My chickens, you must eat a little more dinner than that, if you are excited.”
“I positively can’t, mamma,” said Cricket, feeling every moment that the tears would come if she forced another morsel past that awful lump, that now felt the size of a watermelon to her. Eunice resolutely choked down another bit of mashed potato.
“I’m too excited,” she remarked, with a great assumption of cheerfulness. “Mamma, will you excuse Cricket and me, and let us go up-stairs now? I don’t want any dessert, do you, Cricket?”
Cricket jumped up briskly.
“No, indeed. Please ’scuse us, mamma,” and equally glad to escape, the two children flew up-stairs. Each began to make conversation as they dressed. Eliza was there, waiting to help them.
“Lawks, how hot your face is!” said Eliza, her hand touching Cricket’s cheek, as she brushed the brown curls till the gold light in them shone out.
“It’s excitement,” said Eunice. “Mine’s hot, too; just feel. Ouch!” with an undignified exclamation, as Eliza’s hand touched the lower part of her cheek rather heavily.