CHAPTER XVII
“HAF ANYBODY SEEN MY UMBREL?”
It was the last week in February, and in a few days the school dance was to be given. One afternoon a dozen or more girls were gathered in Ethel’s room to see her dress which had been sent out from town. It was as dainty an affair as one could wish to see, and many were the admiring glances cast upon it, and many the praises it received. Possibly it was a trifle elaborate for a girl of fifteen, for it was made of delicate white chiffon over pale yellow satin, and exquisitely embroidered with fine silver threads. But Ethel looked very lovely in it as she preened herself before the mirror, and was fully aware of the fact.
“What are you going to wear, Toinette?” she asked.
“I’ve never worn anything but white yet,” answered Toinette. “At Miss Carter’s all my dresses were ordered by Miss Emeline, and she said I ought not to wear anything else till I was eighteen. I hope Miss Preston won’t say the same.”
“I should think you would have hated to have the teachers say just what you must wear, as well as what you must study. Didn’t your father ever send you any clothes?”
“Papa was too far away to know what I wore or did,” answered Toinette, rather sadly.
“Aren’t you glad he is home again?” asked quiet little Helen Burgess, who somehow always managed to say soothing things when one felt sort of ruffled up without knowing just why.
“You had better believe I am!” was the emphatic reply. “What will you wear, Helen?”