“Is it about Alice?” questioned Eve, maliciously.
“Yes,” replied Gertie; “but you are to try and guess what it is.”
“Why, I suppose some stranger has chanced to flutter down into the quiet little village of Elmwood, and Alice thinks it her duty to stay there and capture him.”
“That isn’t it at all,” snapped Gertie. “Uncle Jet says Alice can not come; but he has taken the liberty of sending another young lady in her stead, and hopes Miss Daisy Brooks will be the right person in the right place. She will arrive on the twentieth, at nine A. M.”
Eve jumped to her feet in actual astonishment, and even Bessie dropped her novel, with widely opened eyes.
“Just fancy some tall, gaunt old maid of a companion, with such a name!” she cried, raising her eyebrows and picking up her book again. “I think you will find the daisy a rather ancient and faded flower.”
“She couldn’t be anything else,” assented Gertie.
“Wouldn’t it be fun if she should turn out to be young and pretty, and take the shine off both of you?” laughed Eve, puckering up her mouth. “I would enjoy it immensely!”
“Eve, will you hold your tongue?” commanded Bessie, sharply.
“You’d better hold your temper!” retorted Eve.