So they parted with another meeting arranged.
When she reached home she found Katy tearfully rejoicing, plainly revealing how intensely anxious she had been. But when Linda told her that the old tires had held, that the car ran wonderfully, that everything was perfectly safe, that she drove as unconsciously as she breathed, and that to-morrow Katy was to go for a long ride, her joy was incoherent.
Linda laughed. She patted Katy and started down the hallway, when she called back: “What is this package?”
“A delivery boy left it special only a few minutes ago. Must be something Miss Eileen bought and thought she would want to-morrow, and then afterward she got this invitation and went on as she was.”
Linda stood gazing at the box. It did look so suspiciously like a dress box.
“Katy,” she said, “I have just about got an irresistible impulse to peep. I was telling Eileen last night of a dress I saw that I thought perfect. It suited me better than any other dress I ever did see. It was at ‘The Mode.’ This box is from ‘The Mode.’ Could there be a possibility that she sent it up specially for me?”
“I think she would put your name on it if she meant it for ye,” said Katy.
“One peep would show me whether it is my dress or not,” said Linda, “and peep I’m going to.”
She began untying the string.
“There’s one thing,” said Katy, “Miss Eileen’s sizes would never fit ye.”