“You knew we’d be decorating in yellow,” Pauline charged as she took the flowers and buried her face in their fragrance. Then, while Dale stood admiring the tasteful arrangement of the table, she placed them as an appropriate centerpiece. Everything was ready, and it was after six o’clock.
“Irene ought to be here,” Judy said anxiously. “I wonder where she went.”
Pauline had seen her go out early that morning, carrying a borrowed book.
“She’d stop in on her way home to return it. Dale, why don’t you and Judy go down to the bookstore and meet her?”
“Can’t you leave the dinner long enough to come with us?”
Pauline laughed. “I guess I could if you want me. There’s a chance of missing her, though. She may come from another direction.”
Dale helped Judy and Pauline with their wraps, and together they walked toward the bookstore. It was only a short distance, but the cool air felt good to Judy after having spent all afternoon over the cake. As they walked they watched for Irene. She would be wearing a brown suit with a close-fitting brown hat to match, Pauline said. The outfit was new and she wondered if, for that reason, they had missed her.
At the bookstore, however, the girl who took care of lending out books from the circulating library told them that Miss Lang had not been in since morning when she returned a book.
“What could have happened to her?” Judy exclaimed in real concern.
“Perhaps she went out shopping to celebrate. I’ve seen girls shop before. They never leave the stores until closing time.”