A chance commission which Elinor had entrusted to Martine the day of their drive to Cambridge had occasioned the first interchange of letters after Elinor's return to Philadelphia, and in the succeeding months they had continued to write once a fortnight. Thus their friendship had developed without their having seen much of each other, and Elinor's flying visit was delightful to them both in showing them how much they really had in common.
CHAPTER XIII
AT PLYMOUTH
"Mother," said Martine, a week before Easter, "I have a splendid plan."
"Well, my dear, what is it?"
"Wouldn't it be fine to take Priscilla to New York for the holidays? Just think! she has never been there—and at her age—!"
Mrs. Stratford could but laugh at Martine's seriousness.
"I imagine many persons twice Priscilla's age have never been in New York."
"Oh, yes—but Boston is so near—and Priscilla ought to go because she has the strangest notions about New York people—that they are all frivolous, with nothing to do but amuse themselves. I would like to have her at the Waldorf for a few days. Wouldn't she open her eyes? I am just crazy to take her!"