Royal looked at the outside of the note, and saw that his own name and Lucy’s were written there. He accordingly opened it, and read as follows:—
“Mary Jay sends her compliments to Royal and Lucy, and would be happy to have their company at a gypsy party, at her house, to-morrow, at 3 o’clock.
“Wednesday Morning.”
“A gypsy party! I wonder what a gypsy party is,” said Lucy.
“It is a party to have a supper out of doors,” said Royal. “We’ll go, Lucy; we’ll certainly go. I should like to see a gypsy supper.”
“Yes,” said Lucy, “if mother will let us. I’ll go directly and ask her.”
Lucy went and showed her note to her mother. Her mother seemed much pleased with it, and she said that Lucy might go.
“And Royal too?” asked Lucy.
“Why,—yes,” said her mother, with some hesitation. “I suppose that I must let Royal go, since he is invited; but it is rather dangerous to admit boys to such parties.”
“Why, mother?” said Lucy.