And they at once made ready for the call.
Although it was but a short distance to their neighbor's house, it did not occur to the ladies to walk. They took a certain amount of exercise on their own place every morning and afternoon, but a call would have been shorn of half of its formality did they not go in their carriage, and the Misses Middleton were nothing if not formal.
They had left their own domain, and were being driven slowly along the bit of road which lay between their gates and those of their neighbor, when, with a rapid whiz, a bicycle flew past them, followed by another and another.
"It is a custom which is very alarming," remarked Miss Middleton.
"There seemed to be a girl on one of them," said Miss Joanna. "So very unladylike!"
Miss Thomasine said nothing, but she leaned out of the carriage and looked after the rapidly receding figures. She was quite certain that she recognized that short scarlet skirt and that flying brown hair, but she dared not name her fears.
Presently the carriage drew up at Mrs. Hoyt's front steps. There were no boys to be seen but Arthur, who disconsolately leaned over the piazza railing. Teddy had ridden away on his wheel, accompanied by two of his brothers, and there was nothing for him to do but to await their return. When he saw the approach of the Misses Middleton he turned and fled.
"I wonder where Theodora is?" remarked Miss Middleton. "I hoped to find her with Arthur—such a nice, quiet little boy. Where can she be?"
And still Miss Thomasine held her peace.
Mrs. Hoyt was at home, and the ladies were ushered into the parlor.