It may be imagined, however, how embarrassing all this was to parents who were planning not only to let the girls go, but to have supplies ready by a certain time and break the news in the way of a surprise.
A few ideas of the girls, however, were able to fit in nicely toward the common goal, as when no objection was made to “hiking suits.” Middies and bloomers became popular for the summer outfit. The mothers had wondered how the matter of clothes was to be handled, if the girls were to be ready. Fathers soberly commented on how sensible girls were getting in their choice of clothes, and the girls, accustomed to teasing remarks, thought nothing of it.
Meanwhile preparations went merrily on. “It is scarcely more expensive than sending our girls on some trip,” said Mr. Standish one early June evening, as he drove with Mr. French, coming into town along the river road. “I think that they will be enthusiastic over it, though you can not always tell about young folks.”
“I can not imagine their not being happy over it, Standish.”
CHAPTER XII
THE “GRAND” SURPRISE
No one felt like working while waiting for the final day of receiving grade cards. Senior affairs and Jimmy’s graduation concerned Nan and the Standish household, though Jimmy seemed to have little concern about it. But then, Jimmy wasn’t a girl, with gowns and slippers and other things to think about.
S. P. affairs had a lull the first of the last week of school, till Judge Gordon asked Jean at breakfast Wednesday morning if the club really had a name, and Jean told him that it had too many already, but the Stealthy Prowlers was the only one that was appropriate to their outdoor purposes. “The trouble is that we decided on the initials first.”
The judge gave Jean a comical look. “No doubt you had a good reason,” he said. “Perhaps if you had a respectable motto it would help. I can’t say that I admire your name.”