“It was a fortunate day for us when Catherine found her,” and Dr. Helen’s eyes smiled, as they always did when Hannah’s image came before her mind. “And, do you know, I am very much pleased with Alice. She has the honestest eyes, and her manners are as unconscious and simple as can be. I should like to see her mother.”
“Father’s not so important, of course! But I agree with you, she’s the true blue sort. It’s Frieda for me, though. Of all inscrutable countenances, hers is the most. I believe she is, on the whole, the most unforeseen young person I have ever had dealings with, and in whatever direction she may choose to let herself out, in the future, she will do something interesting, or ‘I shall astonish’!”
At which quotation from the young lady in question, they both laughed, and went out to their own supper, not at all sorry to have a quiet evening alone.
It was not a quiet evening in the little library. Behind the drawn shades, the boys and girls were busy spreading the long reading-table with a white cloth, setting out upon it the motley collection of plates, cups and silver ware which came out of the various picnic baskets, and an equally motley, but very appetizing, array of good things to eat. Winifred had laden Max with a chafing-dish, all legs and handles, he declared, and with this at one end, 276 Bess’ little copper teakettle at the other, Dorcas’ asters for centerpiece and Polly’s red-shaded candles at accurate intervals between, the whole effect was “very festival,” as Frieda said admiringly.
As a finishing touch, Bertha and Algernon, official hosts, walked around the table laying typewritten catalog cards at each place.
The others swarmed around instantly, examining and commenting.
“Cunning!” “Real library place cards!” “What a pretty idea!” “But what do they mean?”
Algernon and Bertha only laughed.
“No one can sit down till he has found his proper place,” said Algernon sternly. “This is a well-conducted library!”
“They all have the same number,” cried Bert. “I’m on to that. See! It’s the date, fixed up to look like the mystic symbols they mark the books with. 190.9 Se 16. September 16th, 1909. That’s so much, gained. Now some of you others can figure out the rest. I’ve done my share.”