"Cora Kimball!" exclaimed Bess. "As if any one could be more likable than you—to us!"
"Oh, I don't know," sighed Cora. "There's Jack."
"Well—er—he's nice—just because he's your brother," replied Bess a bit awkwardly.
"Now for plans," said Cora suddenly, wishing to change the subject, as it was becoming too personal. "We must get the cards out to-morrow. Every one must be masked—that's settled—and we'll try to confine the characters to—"
"The Roman period," interrupted Belle. "That will make it pretty."
"I wonder how the boys will take it?" asked Bess. "I shouldn't wonder if they all came as gladiators."
"Or some such character as Nero," added Belle.
"As long as they don't try to emulate him on his burning Rome affair," came from Cora.
"And every one must keep his or her costume a secret," went on
Belle, who was nervous with enthusiasm. "I am not even going to let
Bess know whit mine will be."
"All right, sister," replied Bess, glancing at her tiny, enameled watch; "but pray don't be too—too spirituelle. That is, if there were any Roman spirits."