"Here!" said Janet, handing it to her. "This is from your aunt; you had better read it at once."
"I don't suppose it matters," said Biddy.
"Of course it matters. I never saw anyone so dull and stupid! Shall I read it to you?"
"If you like."
Janet tore the note open. Her eyes rested on the following words; she read them aloud:
Darling Biddy:
I am told that Mrs. Freeman wishes all the stall-holders to wear simple white with green ribbons, but there are different degrees and qualities of this charming combination. I have selected something very simple for you and your friend Miss May to wear on this auspicious occasion. You will find your dresses in the accompanying box. I can promise that they will fit you perfectly.
"O Biddy, Biddy!" said Janet, in excitement, "was there ever anyone so kind as your Aunt Kathleen? Let us bring this box into the house at once, and look at our finery."
Even Bridget was not proof against the charms of a new dress. She had a great love for gay clothing, and one of the small things that fretted her on the occasion of the Fancy Fair was having to wear a book muslin dress, made after a prescribed pattern, with a simple sash of apple-green round her waist.
She, therefore, willingly helped Janet to convey the big box to the house.