"If it is a fine night we might go in the wagonette."
"Why, Jean, it would not begin to hold us all," interposed Emily. "There are fourteen of us, counting the men from the Vortex."
"I did not include them," Jean replied quietly.
Miss Stuart stared curiously at her over the edge of her teacup.
"It seems to me that a dance without men is rather a tame affair, and I don't imagine the hotel will yield a very plentiful supply."
Jean lifted her chin defiantly.
"I was not speaking of the dance but of the drive over."
"Well, that is perfectly absurd," Emily broke in. "The idea of our going over in one conveyance, and those poor men in another. What are you thinking of, Jean?"
Miss Stuart laughed softly, while Jean vouchsafed never a word.
A glance of intelligence was flashed from Nan to Eleanor, and Nan spoke up in good-natured raillery.