“Let me see, young ladies,” said the teacher who was helping assign girls to their rooms. There was a crowd in the office, girls waiting their turn, for different purposes. The list was consulted. “Miss Tyson and Miss Birch go to the new cottage, suite number 29, with Miss Frost and Miss Simpson, I think.” There seemed to be some difficulty in making out the names right there. Something had been written in.
“Miss Sterling goes to the Castle, with Miss Ward, Miss Frost and Miss Robson,—some mistake there, Miss Frost’s name in both places. Well, I suppose that it does not matter. She came several days ago and has doubtless found her place.”
“So you won’t even be in the building with us, Ann,” said Suzanne, quite regretful this time. A year ago she would have been relieved and delighted.
“I’d just as lief be in the other building but for that, Suzanne,” said Ann. “But if we go to Florida at Christmas time, it will not make much difference.”
“Oh, are you going to Florida, Suzanne?” cried Madeline. “Why haven’t I heard a word about it?”
“I guess I didn’t think of it when I was with you, Maddy. Besides they were only talking of it. Ann says that Grandmother spoke to her, though, as if it were all settled.”
“I must ask Mother if I can’t go, too,” said Madeline, “but I know that they have other plans.”
If Madeline hoped to be invited to go with the LeRoy-Tyson-Sterling party, she was disappointed. Neither of the girls felt free to give the invitation, for one thing, and Suzanne had been thinking for some time that Madeline was very cool and exacting at times.
“It will be fine if your people can go,” said kind Ann. “Have you ever been there?”
“Oh, yes,” said Madeline, with a toss of her head. “Mother used to go to Palm Beach every winter.”