"Oh Shirley, look at the curtains! Aren't they perfectly dear?" cried Carol ecstatically.
"Perf'ly deah!" echoed Doris, dancing up and down gleefully.
"And here's a card, 'With love from Elizabeth'! Isn't it sweet of her? Isn't she a perfect darling?"
"Who is Elizabeth?" asked Mrs. Hollister, rising to her elbow and looking around.
"Gee! Look at the flowers!" broke in George. "It's like our store at Easter! I say! Those lilies are pretty keen, aren't they, Shirl?"
"Wait'll you see the dining-room!" called Harley, who was investigating with the help of his nose. "Some supper-table! Come on quick; I'm starved. Hello! Hustle here quick. Here's another sign-board!"
They followed to the dining-room. Harley, still following his nose, pursued his investigations to the kitchen, discovered the source of the savory odors that were pervading the place, and raised another cry so appreciative that the entire family, with the exception of the invalid, followed him and found the supper steaming hot and crying to be eaten.
After the excitement was somewhat quieted Shirley took command.
"Now, children, you're getting mother all excited, and this won't do. And, besides, we must eat this supper right away before it spoils. Quiet down, and bring the hot things to the table while I get mother's things off. Then we will tell her all about it. There's plenty of time, you know. We're going to stay right here all summer."
"Aw, gee! Can't we bring mother out to the table?" pleaded George. "Harley and I could lift that couch just as easy."