Ruth tried to dry her tears, but she was really much grieved, and her cousins exchanged a look which said plainly as words, “That settles her chance!”
If Aunt Betty saw the look, she did not mention it, but she soon made the move to leave the table, and all gladly followed her into the other room.
“Nieces,” she said, before they had seated themselves, “did you wonder why I had you leave your wraps in the hall today?”
“It was, of course, unusual,” said Grace, “for we have always gone into the bedroom, but it did not matter in the least.”
“It did not make any difference,” murmured Jenny.
“I will show you what I have been doing to the bedroom,” said Aunt Betty, throwing open the door to that room.
It had been entirely transformed. In place of the old-fashioned set of furniture, the gorgeous flowered carpet, the dark walls and thick curtains that had been in the room ever since they could remember, were light-tinted walls, hard wood floors, with several rugs, a modern light set of furniture, pictures on the walls, lace curtains at the windows, all the latest style and very elegant. One thing only made a discord: over the dainty bed was spread a gay-colored cover. It disfigured the whole effect, but the girls apparently saw nothing out of the way.
“Oh, how lovely!” cried Jenny.
“It’s so dainty and sweet!” put in Grace. “Auntie, you have exquisite taste.”
Ruth looked her appreciation till her glance fell upon the bedspread; then she hesitated.