“It was good of you to walk over here in this heat,” said Molly, as she led the way to the coolest corner of the piazza. “We are expecting some more visitors later, but we can have a nice little chat by ourselves before they come.”
“Who are coming?” Ada inquired with interest.
“My cousin Stephen Cranston and that nice Virginia friend of his, Mr. Fairfax. Steve comes over from the station as often as he can get leave, now his mother is here, and we all like Jimmy Fairfax very much.”
Ada’s face brightened perceptibly. She was nearly sixteen, and not at all averse to the society of young men.
“May I go up to your room for a minute to smooth my hair?” she asked. “All the crimp has come out in the heat, and I should like to look respectable when your friends come.”
“Oh, I don’t believe they care how anybody looks,” said innocent Molly. “They are only too thankful to get away for a little rest. Steve says they work like dogs at the submarine base. But, of course, you can come up to my room if you want to.” And she led the way indoors.
“Where’s Gretel?” Ada inquired, on the way up-stairs.
“In her room, writing letters,” said Molly. “She’ll be down by and by.”
Ada lowered her voice. “Do you know, Molly, I think it’s a great pity Gretel hasn’t given up that horrid German name. She could call herself Douaine just as well as not, and it would be so much less embarrassing.”
“Embarrassing,” repeated Molly, “I don’t see anything embarrassing about it. What do you mean?”