Later that day when Virginia and Betsy were having one of their secret sessions at translating Latin, the younger girl chuckled. “That was a close call. I almost gave away the fact that I have actually been studying. That never would do, if it’s to be a grand sweep-’em-off-their-feet surprise.”
Virginia laughed. “Betsy, you are as refreshing as one of our desert winds, after a sultry day, when it blows down from the snowy-topped mountains. Often I go up on the mesa, when it begins to blow, and take gloriously deep breaths. They make one feel like a new being.”
Betsy had closed her book and was sitting with an almost pensive expression on her usually merry face. “It must be wonderful to have a real home,” she said. “Dad and I haven’t had one for years, not since mother left. We live in hotels, you know, wherever Dad is sent. Sometimes it’s in one big city and sometimes another. At first I thought it was great, but after the novelty wore off I was desperately lonesome. Then Dad sent me here to boarding school. Of course I love it, with all of the girls for make-believe family, but, when vacation time comes and you are all talking of going home, I do wish that Dad and I had one, somewhere. This summer, though, will be better than most, for I have a very nice aunt who has invited me to visit her and her two small boys at their summer home on the sound.”
Then springing up, the impulsive girl gave her companion an unexpected hug. “Virg, you’re a dear,” she exclaimed. “I don’t in the least like the thought that after the closing party I shall never, never see you again.”
The older girl was touched, for there were actually tears in the eyes that were usually laughing. “I’ll play prophet,” she said gaily. “I will prophecy that you will visit us all out on the desert some day. Perhaps next year or the year after.”
“Virg,” the eyes now were glowing, “if such a thing could happen, I just know that I would live happily ever after.”
As we know, strange things do happen.
CHAPTER XXXI
BETSY SPRINGS A SURPRISE
The dresses were all made and ready to be donned. One by one the girls had descended to the laundry and under the skillful supervision of Delia, the marvels of ruffly whiteness had been pressed. They were then laid on the beds in the room of each seamstress and all of the particular friends were invited in to admire. Notwithstanding the fact that with very little difference, the dresses closely resembled each other, individual taste had been displayed in sashes and hair ribbons. Betsy’s cherry-red sash with long fringed ends was indeed “adorable,” as the girls all said, and Babs was, of course, to wear blue, the color of her eyes. Dicky always wore yellow, when a choice of color was permitted. Virg had never had a sash, and, as she was not going to the city to make purchases before returning home, she had decided to be content with a muslin belt.
Betsy, however, had been sent for by her Dad, who was to be in Boston over the week-end. When she returned she called a meeting of the Study Club and presented Virginia a long box, and when that puzzled maiden opened it, there lay the softest, silkiest sash and butterfly bow for her hair. It was the color of lilacs and a delicate fragrance drifted up from its folds when the delighted girl lifted the sash and placed it about her waist.