This suggestion suited the girls admirably. Immediately forgetting their intention to return home early, they dropped down on the black plush settee and were soon lost to the world. Miss Swenster went quietly back to the kitchen.
It was almost impossible at first to make out the cramped, fine writing. The girls laboriously studied out several paragraphs which were disappointingly trite. Florence had recorded in detail her trips to the dressmakers, visits with relatives and parties attended.
Madge and Cara were becoming discouraged when they happened upon the first notation concerning the necklace. It read:
“I attracted unusual attention tonight when I wore the pearls to the Alstone’s ball. How Rose envied me!”
Cara gave a little squeal of delight and hugged her chum.
“There’s our proof that the pearls really did exist. The necklace wasn’t a myth as so many folks thought!”
“I hope she tells what became of it. Read on!”
For another half hour they delved into the diary, finding little of interest to reward their patience. Then they turned a page and read a brief item disclosing that Florence’s jealousy of her sister was growing more bitter.
“Rose is very sly,” she had written. “She is ingratiating herself with father, hoping that he will will her the pearls.”
“She must have had a distorted view of things,” Cara observed. “From all that we’ve heard, Rose wasn’t a bit designing.”