“I ought to, with the mother and father I have. But don’t expect me to be perfect.”
“Take perfection for your ideal, Ann, though you will not find it in either of your parents. When is your dinner hour, Ann? Will I be ready in time?”
“Yes; take your time, Mother. Does Miss Tudor know that you are here?”
“No; I was not sure of coming. That was one reason that I did not write. Then I knew that there was plenty of room in the suite, even if Marta were here.”
Proudly Ann guided her mother through the halls, over to the dining room, and seated her in Marta’s place. Miss Tudor recognized Mrs. Sterling’s presence by a bow and smile. There had not been time for Ann to take her mother to Miss Tudor’s rooms before the gong rang. At the table were Katherine, Dorothy and Aline, the only girls left beside Ann out of the two suites. Permissions were freely given that evening for changes to be made at table, and as they all stood behind chairs a few minutes, while the girls gathered, the three girls had hurried over to Ann and Mrs. Sterling, invited by a gesture from Ann.
“You are a lucky girl, Ann!” Katherine exclaimed, after grace. “If all the mothers could only come!”
“I am lucky, but I’ll share mine a little. All of you come around to our suite after dinner, that is, after we have seen Miss Tudor. There won’t be any study hours, will there?”
“I think that the bell will ring and we’ll be supposed to stay in the buildings, as usual,—that’s all,” said Dorothy. “But isn’t your mother too tired?”
“No, indeed,” declared Mrs. Sterling. “I need a good dose of girls more than anything else!”