The box which Mrs. Sterling had sent to Ann was full of fruit, with some other things which the girls could enjoy after Mrs. Sterling had gone. The janitor of the Castle opened it for Ann and the fruit was separated, to be put in one of the closets as the coolest place; for the rooms were kept comfortably heated. But Ann did not investigate the other packages while her mother remained, for there was much going on, and Ann read her French to her mother, a pleasant way of studying it. Mrs. Sterling made a fine French dictionary, Ann said, for all but some technical terms which she had forgotten. At Mrs. Sterling’s bidding, Ann also studied her other lessons on Friday evening, looking up once in a while to “gloat” over her mother’s being there, and expressing her feelings in that fashion.
“I shall never be able to complain about not being appreciated, Ann,” said her mother.
“Indeed not, and wait till poor Dad arrives! He is just merely existing till Christmas, I know.”
The girls, at Miss Tudor’s suggestion, hastily put together a little entertainment for Saturday night. There were some other visitors for the Thanksgiving week end, for whom the girls wanted to do something. Among so many organizations it was not hard to find something to do. One of the senior girls had written a clever one act play for her English class. To be sure it must be committed by the actors in record time, but what could not be remembered in the way of the speeches could be what the girls called “faked,” by bright girls who knew the point of their remarks. It had been done before and this was not Shakespeare, whose lines must be just right!
Aline rushed in Saturday morning to call for Ann’s help. “Ann, would your mother mind if you play for the orchestra? We’ve simply got to have you. Our regular pianist, you know, is away, also the substitute, and there isn’t a girl who can do it as you can!”
“Do not hesitate on my account, Ann,” promptly said Mrs. Sterling. “I shall be glad to have you help.”
“All right, then, Aline,” Ann promised. “I am only too thankful not to be called on to help with the play. Thank fortune there are plenty of girls for that.”
“Don’t be too sure, Ann,” joked Aline. “I’ll remember you if they need any one!”
“Just remember, too, please,” laughed Ann, “that I could scarcely be in the orchestra and on the platform at the same time.”
“Will you mind, Mother?” Ann asked after Aline had gone.