A funny smile quivered about the corners of Edith’s mouth, but before she could answer Miss Preston herself stood before them. She had suddenly turned in from a side street. As though detected in some serious misdemeanor, Toinette and Cicely hung back, and Edith remained beside them.
With such a smile as only Miss Preston could summon, she bowed to the group, and said:
“How do you do, little people? Are you going to let me add one more to the party? I’m not very big, you know, and I like a bodyguard. Besides, I haven’t seen the boys in a ‘blue moon,’ and I think it high time I took them to task, for they haven’t been to call upon us in an age. Give an account of yourselves, young sirs. Before very long there is going to be a dance at a house I could mention, and you don’t want to be forgotten by the hostess, do you?”
Toinette and Cicely found it difficult to believe themselves awake. Touching Edith’s elbow, they indicated by mysterious signs that they wished to ask something, and dropped still further behind.
“What does it all mean, anyhow? She doesn’t really mean to have the boys at the house, does she?”
Edith’s eyes began to twinkle as though someone had dropped a little diamond into each, and, without answering, she gave a funny laugh and took a few quick steps forward. Slipping an arm about Miss Preston’s waist, she said: “Miss Preston?”
“Yes, dear,” turning a pleasant face toward the girl.
“The girls are planning a candy frolic for next Friday night, and were going to ask your permission to-day, only they haven’t had time yet. May we have it over in the kitchen of the cottage, and may the boys come, too?”
A merry smile had overspread Miss Preston’s face, and when Edith finished speaking, she said:
“Young gentlemen, I hope you didn’t hear the last remark made by my friend, Miss Osgood; at all events, you’re not supposed to have done so; it would be embarrassing for us all. But, since you did not, I’ll say to her: Yes, you may have your candy frolic, and that is for her ears alone. Now to you: The girls are to have a candy frolic Friday evening, and would be delighted to have your company.”