“It is not a party, only a few friends,” said Rose, eagerly.
“Certainly, we’ll all go,” said Arthur. “If they had not wanted us all, they would not have asked us. Of course, we’ll all go for once.”
“But, Graeme,” said Harry, coming back after he had left to go away, “don’t let the idea of ‘a few friends’ delude you. Make yourselves as fine as possible. There will be a great crowd, you may be sure. Miss Elphinstone and Mr Ruthven are invited, and they are not among the intimate friends of such people as the Groves. Shall I send you home a fashion book, Rosie?”
“Or write a note to Mrs Gridley,” said Arthur.
Rose laughed. She was pleasantly excited at the prospect of her first large party, there was no denying it. Indeed, she did not seek to deny it, but talked merrily on, not seeing, or not seeming to see, the doubtful look on Graeme’s face. She alone, had not spoken during the discussion. She had not quite decided whether this invitation was so delightful as Rosie thought, and in a little when her sister had left the room, she said—
“Shall I accept the invitation then for Rose and me?”
“Have you not accepted yet? you need not of course, unless you wish. But I think you will enjoy it, and Rosie, too.”
“Yes, but I am by no means sure, that I like Mrs Grove,” said she, hesitating.
“Are you not?” said her brother, laughing. “Well, I have got much farther than you. I am sure that I don’t like her at all. But, what of that?”
“Only that I don’t fancy accepting kindness, from a person I don’t like, and to whom I don’t think it would be pleasant to repay in kind.”