"Not I, for one," exclaimed Ella, throwing herself back on the sofa. "I'm going to save myself for this evening."
"And you, too, Josephine, dear," said her mother, "had better not tire yourself any more. You will be perfectly fagged if you go to drive, and you want to keep yourself fresh for the Masons."
"Aren't you made of sterner stuff?" whispered Victor. "Aren't you equal to a drive and a party in the same twenty-four hours? It is heavy work, I know, but your constitution seems a good one."
"I think I'll venture," I said, following Grace into the hall. "There's Kitty on the stairs. Mr. Viennet, tell her to bring me my bonnet, please."
Kitty was only too glad to obey Mr. Viennet's orders at any time, and she flew to get my things.
"Get mine at the same time, young woman," drawled Grace.
Before Kitty had returned from her double errand, the horses were at the door.
"Our friends, the bays," said Victor. "But I think our host means to drive them himself. He has the reins in his hands."
"Are these all your recruits, Miss Grace?" said Mr. Rutledge.
"Yes. Josephine and Ella are afraid of their complexions, or their tempers, or something, and won't come, and I can't find Captain McGuffy or Phil."