“Because,” replied her mother, “boys are more rough in their plays than girls, and they are very apt to be rude and noisy.”
Lucy went back to the door, and told Royal that their mother said that they might go.
“But she thinks,” added Lucy, “that perhaps you will be noisy.”
“O no,” said Royal, “I will be as still as a mouse.”
Just then, Royal and Lucy saw a little girl, dressed very neatly, walking along towards their house. As she came nearer, Lucy saw it was Marielle, her old playmate at the school where Lucy first became acquainted with Mary Jay. Marielle advanced towards the house, looking at Lucy with a very pleasant smile. Royal went and opened the gate for her.
“How do you do, Lucy?” said Marielle.
Lucy did not answer, but looked at Marielle with an expression of satisfaction and pleasure upon her countenance.
“Are you going to Mary Jay’s gypsy party to-morrow?” she asked.
“Yes, and Royal too,” replied Lucy. “Are you going?”
“Yes, I am going, and Harriet, and Jane, and Laura Jones, and little Charlotte, and one or two others. My brother is going, too, and William Jones. And we are all going to carry something in baskets to eat.”