Just then Marie, the maid, appeared in the doorway and announced, “The young gentlemen have arrived and are waiting in the library.”
An hour later the long recreation hall in Linden Seminary was the scene of a most festive occasion. All that morning the girls had been in the meadows and little wood gathering daisies, buttercups and ferns, and these seemed to be blossoming everywhere. In a palm-sheltered nook at one end of the hall, a group of Hawaiian musicians played waltzes and one-steps that were sometimes dreamy and sometimes merry, for these dances were all that were permitted, and the happy lads and lassies glided about, smiling brightly when they passed the end of the hall farthest from the musicians, for there sat Madame Deriby looking wonderfully lovely in a silvery gray silk. At her side was Madge Petersen.
“These are all charming girls, Madame Deriby,” Madge said. “I have been watching them for some time and not one have I seen whose manner toward her partner is other than frank friendliness.”
“I am glad!” the pleased matron replied. “I have always tried to teach these dear pupils of mine that lads never really admire a girl who is simpering and sentimental. At first I feared that Gladys Merle Jones might be that type, but Adele Doring and her friends have done much to make Gladys like themselves.”
At nine o’clock Adele, who was at that time dancing with her brother Jack, paused and said softly, “Madame Deriby, is it time for the surprise?”
“Yes, dear,” the matron replied. “Suppose you tell Arthur Ellsworth the part that he is to take, and bid the musicians play very softly.”
When the first strains of the next dance were heard, Arthur went at once and bowed before Gertrude and together they sauntered out on the floor.
Trudie wondered why they seemed to be the only couple dancing, and she was still more puzzled when Arthur waltzed to the middle of the room and then paused. Before she had time to question this strange procedure, from every part of the room came laughing girls. Running toward her and catching hold of hands, they formed a circle about her as gaily they sang:
“Happy birthday to our Gertrude;
May many others dawn as bright,
And may you ever be as joyous,
Dear friend, as you are to-night.”
Then little Betty stepped forward holding a long velvet box and curtsying to the surprised maiden she recited: