When the girls were again on the highway, riding toward the farm beyond Elmhurst, Gertrude exclaimed, “If Alise is really related to that lovely woman and fine lad, how glad I will be that we were brave enough to make that visit, and I will now confess that I did dread meeting the stern old gentleman, especially after seeing his portrait.”
“I wish we might become better acquainted with the Ellsworths,” Adele said. “They are such charming people.”
This wish was to be fulfilled in a most delightful way.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TAMING KATRINA
One Saturday directly after breakfast the girls from Sunnyside were asked to meet in Adele’s room before beginning the tasks of the morning.
“What does it mean?” Doris Drexel inquired. “This is my practice hour and Professor Patz has given me such a difficult piece to learn.”
“We won’t keep you but a moment,” Adele said. “Sit down, everybody, and I will tell you all about it.”
In a semicircle in front of the fireplace they sat, and all turned wondering eyes toward Gertrude and Adele who had called the meeting.
“There has recently come to our school,” Della began, “a young girl who might be very pretty were it not for a fretful and perhaps unhappy expression. In fact she has been here two weeks and I have not seen her smile once.”
“Poor thing!” Carol Lorens exclaimed. “Are you speaking of Katrina Mason?”