Elsie obeyed of course, Annis followed his advice, and both felt very fresh and bright when the time came for them to be arrayed for the party.
Aunt Chloe undertook the dressing of both, “so dat Miss Mildred needn’t hab no botheration ’bout it,” and found no difficulty in accomplishing her task to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
The two were dressed exactly alike except that Elsie wore a white sash and Annis a blue one.
When the last finishing touch had been given, they went into the library to show themselves to Mr. Dinsmore.
“Are you satisfied with us, papa?” Elsie asked, as they presented themselves before him.
“Perfectly,” he said, glancing from one to the other with a pleased smile, then bestowing a kiss upon each. “I hope you may enjoy yourselves very much indeed.”
“Thank you, sir! And now I’m going up to Mildred,” Annis said, running gayly from the room.
Elsie looked wistfully at her father. “You are all ready, papa, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” he said, drawing her to his knee, “and as it will be far past your usual bedtime when we come home to-night, we must have our good time together now. Did you take your nap?”
“Oh, yes, sir, mammy says I slept more than two hours.”