“I believe, Trix,” confided Gloria, “that Jack heard somehow about my—blighted hope. She must have felt herself to blame about this morning’s work, and that was why she changed her mind about seeing the Steppy. I had a hard time trying to make her feel all right about it. She only abandoned the essay idea herself last night. But as a matter of fact, Trix, I had a wonderful time at the Rookery! You should have seen the elegant Mrs. Corday!”
“Another special privilege of yours. I’m sure she was as good as a musical comedy.”
“Better, and no offense intended either,” declared Gloria. “Well, since the show is over, let’s go hunt up a couple of real girls. I am just dying to hear Pat splutter——”
But they found, on the door of Pat’s room, a sign worded:
Gone for the Afternoon. Call at the Kitchen.
“The kitchen,” repeated Trixy.
“You started that fad,” Gloria reminded her. “It’s rather a cold day. Maybe they’re making—soup.”
“It wouldn’t be so bad, although I would prefer hot chocolate. However, let’s find out,” moved Trixy.
Since permission had been given to use the kitchen occasionally, a new set of rules was promulgated. This, among items, included the following:
“No splattering allowed on range,” also, “All utensils must be thoroughly cleaned and put away in an orderly manner. The floor must be carefully brushed, towels or cloths rinsed and dish mops placed in the sunniest window.” But none of this deterred the girls from having jolly times in the big, bright room, among shining pans and mysterious tools, queer looking utensils and assorted aluminums, although none were to be even handled without special permission of the staff of the culinary department.