“We have just decided, Isabel, that we are going right on with our lessons as well as our limited brains will let us, keep steady, and hope that we can help the boys, and do whatever turns up. It’s all so mixed up now, with things happening all the time.”
“I think that is very sensible, Betty,” replied Isabel. “I’m going back to begin now. But I couldn’t resist telling you girls.”
“You must let us tell you our news before you go,” said Lilian, “and I want you to see my ring. Mother is going to let me wear it now.”
“Oh, Lilian, are you really engaged?”
“I really am. It happened at Christmas, but Mother thought that she would prefer my not wearing a ring or announcing it generally. But I suppose she didn’t have the heart to keep me from wearing it when Phil came home to enlist. She likes him so much, and he is really so irresistible!”
The girls smiled at that, and Cathalina said: “The ring came in the evening mail.”
“My, but it is a beauty!” exclaimed Isabel, turning Lilian’s little fist this way and that to catch the light of the flashing gem, for the darkness had come outside, and their lamp was again burning.
The eventful Saturday finally came. The girls had arranged a little picnic as the best way of getting away from the busy surroundings at Greycliff Hall. Hilary had thought of it, and suggested that they take the horses. “We have never had a picnic like that,” said she, “and those prancing steeds need some exercise, anyway. Philip and Campbell ride beautifully, and, of course, Donald and Captain Van Horne do, too.”
“Captain Van Horne!” exclaimed Cathalina. “Do you expect me to invite him to take me out?”
“No, of course not, but Donald can ask him if he wants to go and there isn’t any doubt whom he would ask to go with him, is there?” Hilary looked at Cathalina with twinkling eyes.