A Bevy of Girls

by L. T. Meade

Penelope was not left long to her own meditations. She was called downstairs by Clara, who gave the little girl several commissions to do for her.

“You have got to drive into Newcastle; the pony trap will be at the door in a quarter of an hour’s time. You have got to get all these things at Johnson’s, and then you are to go to Taylor’s and ask them for my new things, and be sure you see that they have selected the right shade of blue for my ties. Then do—”

Here Clay thrust a long list of commissions into her sister’s hand.

“All right,” said Penelope.

“Be home as quick as ever you can; we are expecting some people here this afternoon, the Mauleverers and the Chelmsfords. It seems to me that we are getting to know all the county set. Go, the very last thing, to Theodor’s and get the ices and the cakes that I ordered. Now, do look sharp, Pen. You have no time to lose.”

Pen was quite agreeable. There was nothing to pay, for the Carters had accounts at the different shops where she was going. Just for the minute she looked wistfully into her sister’s face.

“If I could but tell her,” she thought. “But I don’t suppose she’d understand. Well, I suppose if Jim doesn’t come back, and there’s no hope of that, and if he quite forgets to write, I’ll have to confide in Clay before Saturday, for I couldn’t face father if he found out without my telling him.”

Penelope thought and thought during her drive. All of a sudden it flashed upon her that she might write a note to Jim. She could go to the post office—or still better she could stop at the Aldworths’ on her way back, and ask for writing materials, and send a letter to him at the Holroyds’. The Holroyds did not live so very far away, only twenty miles at the furthest. Jim would probably get his letter that night; he would be certain to receive it the first thing in the morning.

Pen felt quite happy when she remembered this very easy way of reminding Jim of his promise. She knew the Holroyds’ address quite well, for Jim had often spoken of it. There was George, and there was Tom, and they lived at a place called The Chase. Yes, she could easily get a letter to reach Jim at that address.

Accordingly she went through her commissions with ease and despatch, for she had, notwithstanding her youth, a wise little head on her shoulders. Then she desired the coachman to drive rapidly to the Aldworths’ house.