Into the west wing they trooped and Carol tapped upon a closed door which was thrown open at once. There stood a pretty girl who was welcoming them in a manner truly gracious. Bettykins wanted to rub her eyes to make sure that she was awake. This could not possibly be the Katrina whom they had so disliked, but Adele understood. She realized that Carol had also suggested to the hostess that she welcome her guests as though she really liked them.
“Katrina,” Carol was saying, “permit me to introduce to you Adele Doring, a maiden fair, whose name will one day be known from ocean to ocean as a poetess of great renown. She can rhyme cat and rat without the slightest effort, and this next maiden with the short golden curls and the cheeks that a peach would envy, is Rosamond Wright, famous for having made tatting of seven varieties. And these two whose arms are linked are the Inseparables, by name Doris Drexel and Peggy Pierce. It doesn’t matter which is which, for each comes when the other is called, and this tall young lady with a solemn air and spectacles is our mathematician, Bertha Angel, and this youngster with the brown braids and a dimple is our youngest, known either as ‘Little One’ or Betty Burd. Gertrude Willis couldn’t come, because she has taken the baby class to the woods, and Evelyn Dartmoor has gone to Buffalo to spend the weekend with her grandfather. Otherwise, we of the Sunnyside Club are all present.”
“Oh, Carol!” Adele laughed, “did you say all that in one breath? I am sure we feel very much honored, but, Katrina, don’t you believe a word that she says about us.”
“I won’t!” Katrina smilingly replied. “I’ll find out for myself. Now be seated anywhere. I think that there are chairs enough and five of you can sit on the window-seat.”
Rosamond dropped into the easiest chair and the others curled up here and there while Carol announced, “Girls, I have brought all of the parts for the play, and I thought it would be fun to read them over to just get an idea when our turns come in.”
The play was an amusing one and this informal rehearsal caused much merriment and laughter, and, before any one realized that an hour had passed, the get-ready-for-supper bell was ringing in the corridor.
Bertha stood up. “We ought to go now,” she announced, but Carol said mysteriously, “No, not yet. Just sit ever so still and see what is going to happen.”
The visitors looked surprised but did as they were told. Some of them had noticed that one corner of the room was screened in a manner which suggested that something was being hidden, but they had thought little of it until Katrina and Carol removed the screens and revealed a table laden with good things to eat.
“Ohee!” squealed the irrepressible Betty Burd. “Girls, aren’t you glad that you were invited?”
“Suppose you all sit on the floor now in a circle,” Carol suggested, “and then Katrina and I will pass the feast.”