“What is your special request, Molly? I am very busy just now, and cannot discuss your cousin's character. You have improved, and I am pleased with you.”
“Then, if you are pleased with me, mother, will you do me a favor?”
“What is that?”
“Stephanotie Miller has never been at our house.”
“Stephanotie Miller. What an outlandish name! Who is she?”
“She is a dear, jolly, sweet, handsome American girl. She came to school last term, and she is in the same form with Nora and me; and we both adore her, yes we do. Whatever she does, and whatever she says, we think simply perfection; and we want to ask her here. She is staying with a rather tiresome aunt, in a little house in the village, and she has come over to be Englishized. May she have tea with us tomorrow?”
“I will inquire about her from Miss Flowers; and if she seems to be a nice girl I shall have no objection.”
“But we want her to come tomorrow,” said Molly. “It is Saturday, you know, and a whole holiday. We thought she might come to lunch, or, if you objected to that, immediately after lunch.”
“And what about Linda? Does Linda like her?”
“Holy Moses, no!” said Molly.