Sidney, who was accustomed to be waited on, thanked Fleta, however, very sincerely. She had found the sash and some other little accompaniments and was ready to slip right into the newly pressed garments. It had taken scarcely half an hour from the time when she and Fleta had left the parlors. Sidney quite enjoyed one feature of wearing a different costume, that of deceiving her other suite-mates, for they all dressed together.
“Where is Sidney?” Irma inquired of Edith.
“I don’t know. There’s Fleta. Ask her.”
“What has become of Sidney, Fleta? I haven’t seen a thing of her since that cat performance. Do you suppose that she hated it to have made a costume so like that of the witch?”
“Yes, she did, but she got over it. She’s somewhere around. I persuaded her to come back.”
“Oh, she did run off, then!”
“Yes. Better let her say the first word about it.”
“Yes, indeed. I know Sidney too well to make any uncalled for remarks!”
Great was the surprise, when the masks came off, just before the Supper, and Sidney was found by her suite-mates in Turkish garb. Shirley, also, was asked many times if she had led the Cat Brigade; but she explained as best she could, and it was all made clear when she was announced as the winner of the first prize, and as “having the costume which is considered the most original. It gave the idea, also, for the freshman stunt and was worn by the freshman witch in the cleverly performed drill. Miss Shirley is the composer of the song which they sang.”
The “banquet,” served early enough, it was hoped, not to upset the young ladies, and simple enough to ward off all criticism, was funny chiefly in its decorations, place cards and the names of dishes upon the menu cards. It was too bad that there should be any one not able to throw herself entirely into the enjoyment of the evening. But Shirley was too tired, after her strenuous efforts of the day, to throw off altogether the unpleasant impressions made by Sidney’s remarks, which she had overheard.