Isabel’s brown curls lifted from the remarkable costume on which she was sewing with unaccustomed fingers. “Where’s Avalon?” Hilary asked, as she held the door part way open.
“She has not been up since lunch.”
“Then invite her for me, please, when she comes in. I want both of you to come to our feast tonight. I am to have a box from home if nothing happens. It is to arrive this afternoon, so the things will be fresh. If it should be delayed, we’ll have the feast tomorrow.”
“O, goody!—you’re a duck, Hilary. I’ll be dee-lighted and so will Avalon. It’s awfully good of you to invite us with the big girls!” Isabel jumped up, dropping scissors and work on the floor, while she ran to take Hilary’s face in her two hands and kiss her. “Many happy returns!”
Hilary looked embarrassed, for she “wasn’t much at kissing.”
“Be sure to come,” she said hospitably, as she vanished to tap at the next door. “What in the world is this!” and Hilary pretended to start back in fright. A fierce growl greeted this question, as Diane in a bear’s costume, to which Helen had been putting a few last stitches, sat up, waved brown paws and started a rolling dance.
“Isn’t it good?” asked Helen.
“Great!” Hilary replied, clapping her hands in applause.
“This, ladies and gentlemen, is the only Cinnamon-Black Bear in captivity,” said Helen, as she slipped into a rough coat and adjusted a man’s slouch hat over her eyes. “Here is his chain.” She threw a long iron chain around Diane’s neck. “This is the worst place to get anything. I wish Miss Randolph would let us go to the city for costumes.”
“She said we’d have just as much fun with inexpensive things. But I’m forgetting my errand. Cathalina Van Buskirk and Hilary Lancaster will be at home this evening at eight o’clock and will be happy to see Miss Diane Percy, Helen Paget, Miss Lilian North, and Miss Betty Barnes at that time,—very promptly—if we don’t send for you to help before!”