The character taken was often chosen because of the possibilities for the costume which each girl saw in her wardrobe. Evelyn said that she would name her character after she got dressed. Perhaps the chief fun of the party consisted in getting ready, and the wonder was where the girls had managed to get so many ideas and such a variety of costumes, simple but effective. But the party itself was a great success. The girls acted out their parts with spirit, copied the manly walk of their brothers and friends, used exaggerated courtesy and devotion toward their companions.
One of June’s little friends in Laugh-a-Lot looked especially dainty in her light summer frock and carried a corsage bouquet of wild roses and daisies. Her escort was a red-cheeked Spanish gentleman with a fierce mustache and a mild expression. The gym teacher marshalled the couples in a grand promenade in the assembly room. By pairs and fours, platoons or circles, they marched or wound in and out. After this, they still promenaded and several engagements took place quite publicly, declarations, acceptance and the placing of the ring followed each other in rapid succession. Isabel swaggered in a trifle late with a stunning pirate bride, veil and all, and a “take her from me if you dare” expression.
“If the company will get quiet,” announced the cheer leader, blowing a whistle, “while Madame Patti (Lilian) sings ‘O Dry Those Tears’, the distinguished Captain Kidd will be united to Miss Lucretia Borgia Vamp.”
With much harmless nonsense and laughter the costume party went on, but closed quite early, for there was to be a trip to Bath the next day. As girls whose day has been quite taken up with many interesting activities are not loth to be “early to bed”, the flashlights danced happily toward the different tents and cabins.
Everybody could go to Bath upon this first occasion. The regular morning program, with the games, was carried out, and the girls were to come to the noon meal ready to go to the boats. Many of them had been planning little shopping lists.
“What have you to get, Flo?” asked Miss West of one of the “old girls”, as she served those at her table to the hot dinner.
“I have to get a chocolate sundae and bring home a chicken sandwich,” promptly and soberly returned that young lady, not at all understanding why Patricia should laugh at the expression “have to get”.
“Haven’t you any real necessities?”
“O, yes; I have to buy a present for my father.”
“O, dear,” said Betty, who happened to be at Miss West’s table this week, “they said we could only buy a little half-pound box of candy.”