“How comfortable and dear your mother is, Cathalina,” said Lilian after Mrs. Van Buskirk had left the room.
“Yes, isn’t she? And you ought to hear the things she says about you. I believe she likes you even better than Betty and Hilary, but I oughtn’t to say that. Her heart is big enough for our whole quartette. Come on, let’s get the other girls and see what flowers we can find for the rooms.”
“Imagine your having such lovely roses at this time in the year. How do you manage it?”
“They have special care, and some of them are from our little hothouse.”
The four girls were still outdoors when Philip returned with Robert Paget, and turned to look, as “Pat,” back from Boston, took out two bags and a suitcase, and three young men stepped out of the car.
“Three,” said Cathalina in surprise. “I wonder who the other one is. That is Robert in the light grey suit.”
“Why, that looks like Dick!” exclaimed Lilian. “It is Dick! How in the world did Dick——” Lilian started toward the house; then, recollecting that Dick was not the only young man there, drew back. The three young men did not see the girls and went up the steps and into the house.
“Let’s go in and fix the flowers,” said Cathalina, “and by that time the boys will be downstairs, I think, and Mother will know about it at least.”
Mrs. Van Buskirk met the girls in the hall. “Why, Lilian,” said she, “we have a great surprise for you.”
“I saw him,” replied Lilian. “How did it happen?”