Aunt Betty and Alfy fitted the dress carefully, altering the seams in the shoulders and cutting out the neck some. Before they had stopped sewing they had nearly finished this dress and had two others well under way.
Putting away their sewing carefully so as they could start again early in the morning, they all went to their rooms to dress for dinner.
They had a quiet meal after which Dorothy played for them awhile, and then they all sang songs, each choosing the songs they liked best. Thus they spent a quiet but most enjoyable evening. They retired early as Alfy was quite tired after her long journey and wanted to get a good night’s sleep.
They had an early breakfast of pancakes and maple syrup of which Alfy was very fond, and soon after, the three were busy again in the sewing room. There they stayed, quietly working and talking, Alfy telling of the little Babcocks, till it was time for the girls to get ready for the automobile ride. Dorothy had apparently forgotten all about the surprise for she never even mentioned it at all.
“Alfy,” said Dorothy, when they were most ready, “when we get to Herr Deichenberg’s you must be very quiet as I take my lesson and not say anything at all. You know Herr does not like to be disturbed while he gives a lesson. You will find many curious things to look at, and if you want to ask about any of them, you just remember what you want to ask about and tell me after.”
Alfy promised, and in a few minutes the girls heard Gerald toot his automobile horn. Quickly they ran, waving good-bye and throwing kisses to Aunt Betty, who was looking out of the second story window. With Jim seated beside Gerald, they started.
Dorothy told Gerald the direction to take and after a very short time they drew up at Herr Deichenberg’s little cottage. The girls descended and bade Jim and Gerald good-bye.
“Oh, Dorothy,” Gerald called back, “when shall I return for you?”
Dorothy, greatly surprised, questioned, “You are coming back, Gerald?”
“Surely.”