Nevertheless, Jeanette's mind and heart held no space for them.
If her father would agree to allow her to accept Mrs. Perry's offer, Jeanette felt that her own pride would not stand in the way. Some day they would be able to return the money. Mrs. Perry would not care for this arrangement, but could not object, since it would make conditions easier for them all. Thus the desire of her heart would be granted at once, when all desires of the heart should be granted.
During the remainder of the ride, and in the course of every hour afterwards when she was not asleep, Jeanette dreamed of this possibility.
One afternoon Mrs. Perry shyly approached the subject to her. She confessed that she did not enjoy the idea of speaking to Mr. Colter, requesting Jeanette to prepare the way for her.
This Jeanette agreed to do.
Now as the days passed by the psychological moment never seemed to arrive. Closely Jeanette watched her father. Still he appeared harassed by business troubles, spending less time with his family than usual.
If this drew the other three girls closer to their stepmother for amusement and sympathy, Jeanette found her new friends at Rainbow Castle more and more absorbing.
Never had the neighborhood been half so gay as since Mrs. Perry rented the big house.
She was a society woman and not happy unless she were surrounded by people and entertaining.
Following Cecil's suggestion, a target had been set up on the left side of the lawn and here the members of the Club of the Silver Arrow were free to practice at any hour. The target was at some distance off, since archery was a new sport among the young people and the flights of the arrows more than a little uncertain.