“Yes, it is. We must defer further study till to-morrow.”
“Why, it is a great deal pleasanter than going to school, Miss Linden. I dreaded studying at home, but now I like it.”
“I hope you will continue to, Carrie. I can say that the time has passed away pleasantly for me.”
As Florence prepared to resume her street dress, Carrie said:
“Oh, I forgot! Mamma asked me to invite you to stay to lunch with me. I take lunch as soon as school is out, at twelve o’clock, so I won’t detain you long.”
“Thank you, Carrie; I will stay with pleasure.”
“I am glad of that, for I don’t like to sit down to the table alone. Mamma is never here at this time. She goes out shopping or making calls, so poor I have to sit down to the table alone. It will be ever so much pleasure to have you with me.”
Florence was by no means sorry to accept the invitation.
The meals she got at home were by no means luxurious, and the manner of serving them was by no means what she enjoyed.
Mrs. O’Keefe, though a good friend and a kindhearted woman, was not a model housekeeper, and Florence had been made fastidious by her early training. Lunch was, of course, a plain meal, but what was furnished was of the best quality, and the table service was such as might be expected in a luxurious home.