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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/5893.txt b/5893.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1ab2f12 --- /dev/null +++ b/5893.txt @@ -0,0 +1,7697 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Two Little Women on a Holiday, by Carolyn Wells + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Two Little Women on a Holiday + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Posting Date: May 30, 2013 [EBook #5893] +Release Date: June, 2004 +First Posted: ZSeptember 18, 2002 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + + + + + + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + +BY + +CAROLYN WELLS + +Author Of The Patty Books, The Marjorie Books, Two Little Women Series, +Etc. + + +FRONTISPIECE BY E. C. CASWELL + + +Made in the United States of America 1917 + + + +TO MY VERY DEAR CHILD FRIEND + +FRANCES ALTHEA SPRAGUE + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + +I A WONDERFUL PLAN + +II A FAVOURABLE DECISION + +III THE ARRIVAL + +IV A MERRY QUARTETTE + +V GOING ABOUT + +VI A MATINEE IDOL + +VII GREAT PREPARATIONS + +VIII THE CALLER + +IX FINE FEATHERS + +X A SKATING PARTY + +XI THE COLLECTIONS + +XII THE LOST JEWEL + +XIII SUSPICIONS + +XIV AT THE TEA ROOM + +XV DOLLY'S RIDE + +XVI WAS IT ALICIA? + +XVII A CLEVER IDEA + +XVIII FOUR CELEBRATIONS + +XIX ALICIA'S SECRET + +XX UNCLE JEFF'S FOUR FRIENDS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A WONDERFUL PLAN + + +"Hello, Dolly," said Dotty Rose, over the telephone. + +"Hello, Dot," responded Dolly Fayre. "What you want?" + +"Oh! I can't tell you this way. Come on over, just as quick as you can." + +"But I haven't finished my Algebra, and it's nearly dinner time, +anyway." + +"No it isn't,--and no matter if it is. Come on, I tell you! You'd come +fast enough if you knew what it's about!" + +"Tell me, then." + +"I say I can't,--over the telephone. Oh, Dolly, come on, and stop +fussing!" + +The telephone receiver at Dotty's end of the wire was hung up with a +click, and Dolly began to waggle her receiver hook in hope of getting +Dotty back. But there was no response, so Dolly rose and went for her +coat. Flinging it round her, and not stopping to get a hat, she ran +next door to Dotty Rose's house. + +It was mid January, and the six o'clock darkness was lighted only by +the street lights. Flying across the two lawns that divided the houses, +Dolly found Dotty awaiting her at the side door. + +"Hurry up in, Doll," she cried, eagerly, "the greatest thing you ever +heard! Oh, the very greatest! If you only CAN! Oh, if you ONLY can!" + +"Can what? Do tell me what you're talking about." Dolly tossed her coat +on the hall rack, and followed Dotty into the Roses' living-room. There +she found Dotty's parents and also Bernice Forbes and her father. What +could such a gathering mean? Dolly began to think of school happenings; +had she cut up any mischievous pranks or inadvertently done anything +wrong? What else could bring Mr. Forbes to the Roses' on what was very +evidently an important errand? For all present were eagerly +interested,--that much was clear. Mr. and Mrs. Rose were smiling, yet +shaking their heads in uncertainty; Bernice was flushed and excited; +and Mr. Forbes himself was apparently trying to persuade them to +something he was proposing. + +This much Dolly gathered before she heard a word of the discussion. +Then Mrs. Rose said, "Here's Dolly Fayre. You tell her about it, Mr. +Forbes." + +"Oh, let me tell her," cried Bernice. + +"No," said Mr. Rose, "let her hear it first from your father. You girls +can chatter afterward." + +So Mr. Forbes spoke. "My dear child," he said to Dolly, "my Bernice is +invited to spend a week with her uncle, in New York City. She is +privileged to ask you two girls to accompany her if you care to." + +Dolly listened, without quite grasping the idea. She was slow of +thought, though far from stupid. And this was such a sudden and +startling suggestion that she couldn't quite take it in. + +"Go to New York, for a week. Oh, I couldn't. I have to go to school." + +Mrs. Rose smiled. "That's just the trouble, Dolly. Dot has to go to +school, too,--at least, she ought to. Bernice, likewise. But this +invitation is so delightful and so unusual, that I'm thinking you three +girls ought to take advantage of it. The question is, what will your +parents say?" + +"Oh, they'll never let me go!" exclaimed Dolly, decidedly. "They don't +want anything to interfere with my lessons." + +"No, and we feel the same way about Dotty. But an exceptional case must +be considered in an exceptional manner. I think your people might be +persuaded if we go about it in the right way." + +"I don't believe so," and Dolly looked very dubious. "Tell me more +about it." + +"Oh, Doll, it's just gorgeous!" broke in Bernice. "Uncle Jeff,--he's +father's brother,--wants me to spend a week with him. And he's going to +have my cousin, Alicia, there at the same time. And he wants us to +bring two other girls, and Alicia can't bring one, 'cause she's at +boarding school, and none of the girls can get leave,--that is, none +that she wants. So Uncle said for me to get two, if I could,--and I +want you and Dot." + +"A whole week in New York! Visiting!" Dolly's eyes sparkled as the +truth began to dawn on her. "Oh, I WISH I could coax Mother into it. +I've never been to New York to stay any time. Only just for the day. +How lovely of you, Bernie, to ask us!" + +"There's no one else I'd rather have, but if you can't go, I'll have to +ask Maisie May. I must get two." + +"Are you going anyway, Dots?" + +"I don't know. I want to go terribly, but I don't want to go without +you, Dolly. Oh, WON'T your mother let you?" + +"The only way to find out is to ask her," said Mr. Forbes, smiling. +"Suppose I go over there now and ask. Shall I go alone, or take you +three chatterboxes along?" + +"Oh, let us go," and Dotty sprang up; "we can coax and you can tell +about the arrangements." + +"Very well," agreed Mr. Forbes, "come along, then." + +So the four went across to the Fayre house, and found the rest of +Dolly's family gathered in the library. + +"Here is Mr. Forbes, Daddy," said Dolly, as they entered. + +Mr. and Mrs. Fayre and Trudy, Dolly's older sister, greeted the visitor +cordially, and looked with smiling inquiry at the eager faces of the +three girls. + +Dolly went and sat on the arm of her mother's chair, and, putting an +arm around her, whispered, "Oh, Mumsie, please, PLEASE do say yes! Oh, +please do!" + +"Yes to what?" returned Mrs. Fayre, patting her daughter's shoulder. + +"Mr. Forbes will tell you. Listen." + +"It's this way, my dear people," began Mr. Forbes. He was a man with an +impressive manner, and it seemed as if he were about to make a speech +of grave importance, as, indeed, from the girls' point of view, he was. +"My brother Jefferson, who lives in New York, has invited my daughter +to spend a week in his home there. He has asked also another niece, +Miss Alicia Steele. He wants these girl visitors to bring with them two +friends, and as Alicia does not wish to avail herself of that +privilege, Bernice may take two with her. She wants to take Dotty and +Dolly. There, that's the whole story in a nutshell. The question is, +may Dolly go?" + +"When is this visit to be made?" asked Mrs. Fayre. + +"As soon as convenient for all concerned. My brother would like the +girls to come some day next week, and remain one week." + +"What about school?" and Mrs. Fayre looked decidedly disapproving of +the plan. + +"That's just it!" exclaimed Dotty. "We knew you'd say that! But, Mrs. +Fayre, my mother says this is the chance of a lifetime,--almost,--and +we ought, we really OUGHT to take advantage of it." + +"But to be out of school for a whole week,--and what with getting ready +and getting home and settled again, it would mean more than a week--" + +"But, mother, we could make up our lessons," pleaded Dolly, "and I DO +want to go! oh, I do want to go, just AWFULLY!" + +"I should think you would," put in Trudy. "Let her go, mother, it'll be +an education in itself,--the visit will. Why, the girls can go to the +museums and art galleries and see all sorts of things." + +"Of course we can," said Bernice, "and my uncle has a beautiful house +and motor cars and everything!" + +"That's another point," said Mr. Fayre, gravely. "You must realise, Mr. +Forbes, that my little girl is not accustomed to grandeur and wealth. I +don't want her to enjoy it so much that she will come back discontented +with her own plain home." + +"Oh, nonsense, my dear sir! A glimpse of city life and a taste of +frivolity will do your girl good. Dolly is too sensible a sort to be a +prey to envy or discontent. I know Dolly fairly well, and I can vouch +for her common sense!" + +"So can I," said Bernice. "Doll will enjoy everything to the limit, but +it won't hurt her disposition or upset her happiness to see the sights +of the city for a short time. Oh, please, Mr. Fayre, do let her go." + +"Just as her mother thinks," and Mr. Fayre smiled at the insistent +Bernice. + +"Tell me of the household," said Mrs. Fayre. "Is your brother's wife +living?" + +"Jeff has never been married," replied Mr. Forbes. "He is an elderly +bachelor, and, I think is a bit lonely, now and then. But he is also a +little eccentric. He desires no company, usually. It is most +extraordinary that he should ask these girls. But I think he wants to +see his two nieces, and he fears he cannot entertain them pleasantly +unless they have other companions of their own age." + +"And who would look after the girls?" + +"Mrs. Berry, my brother's housekeeper. She is a fine noble-hearted and +competent woman, who has kept his house for years. I know her, and I am +perfectly willing to trust Bernice to her care. She will chaperon the +young people, for I doubt if my brother will go to many places with +them. But he will want them to have the best possible time, and will +give them all the pleasure possible." + +"That part of it is all right, then," smiled Mrs. Fayre; "it is, to my +mind, only the loss of more than a week of the school work that +presents the insuperable objection." + +"Oh, don't say insuperable," urged Mr. Forbes. "Can't you bring +yourself to permit that loss? As Dolly says, the girls can make up +their lessons." + +"They can--but will they?" + +"I will, mother," cried Dolly; "I promise you I will study each day +while I'm in New York. Then I can recite out of school hours after I +get back, and I'll get my marks all the same." + +"But, Dolly dear, you can't study while you are in New York. There +would be too much to distract you and occupy your time." + +"Oh, no, Mrs. Fayre," observed Bernice, "we couldn't be all the time +sightseeing. I think it would be fine for all us girls to study every +day, and keep up our lessons that way." + +"It sounds well, my dear child," and Mrs. Fayre looked doubtfully at +Bernice, "and I daresay you mean to do it, but I can't think you could +keep it up. The very spirit of your life there would be all against +study." + +"I agree with that," said Mr. Forbes, decidedly. "I vote for the girls +having an entire holiday. Lessons each day would spoil all their fun." + +"They couldn't do it," Trudy said. "I know, however much they tried, +they just COULDN'T study in that atmosphere." + +"Why not?" asked Bernice. "We're not young ladies, like you, Trudy. We +won't be going to parties, and such things. We can only go to the shops +and the exhibitions and for motor rides in the park and such things. We +could study evenings, I'm sure." + +"It isn't only the lessons," Mrs. Fayre said; "but I can't feel quite +willing to let my little girl go away for a week without me." Her +pleasant smile at Mr. Forbes robbed the words of any reflection they +might seem to cast on his brother's invitation. "I'm sure Mrs. Berry +would do all that is necessary in the way of a chaperon's duties, but +these girls are pretty young even for that. They need a parent's +oversight." + +Mrs. Fayre was about to say a mother's oversight, when she remembered +that Bernice had no mother, and changed the words accordingly. + +There was some further discussion, and then Mrs. Fayre said she must +have a little time alone to make up her mind. She knew that if Dolly +did not go, Maisie May would be asked in her place, but she still felt +undecided. She asked for only an hour or two to think it over, and +promised to telephone directly after dinner, and tell Mr. Forbes her +final decision. This was the only concession she would make. If not +acceptable then her answer must be no. + +"Please do not judge my wife too harshly," said Mr. Fayre as he +accompanied Mr. Forbes and Bernice to the door. "She still looks upon +Dolly as her baby, and scarcely lets her out of her sight." + +"That's all right," returned Mr. Forbes. "She's the right sort of a +mother for the girl. I hope she will decide to let Dolly go, but if +not, I quite understand her hesitancy, and I respect and admire her for +it. Bernice can take somebody else, and I trust you will not try over +hard to influence Mrs. Fayre in Dolly's favour. If anything untoward +should happen, I should never forgive myself. I would far rather the +children were disappointed than to have Mrs. Fayre persuaded against +her better judgment." + +The Forbeses departed, and then Dotty Rose went home, too. + +"Oh, Dollyrinda," she whispered as they stood in the hall, "do you +s'pose your mother'll EVER say yes?" + +"I don't believe so," replied Dolly mournfully. "But, oh, Dot, how I do +want to go! Seems 'sif I never wanted anything so much in all my life!" + +"You don't want to go a bit more than I want to have you. Why, Dollops, +I shan't go, if you don't." + +"Oh, yes, you will, Dotty. You must. It would be silly not to." + +"But I couldn't! I just COULDN'T. Do you s'pose I could have one single +bit of fun going to places without you? And knowing you were here at +home, longing to be with us! No-sir-ee! I just couldn't pos-SIB-ly! So +just you remember that, old girl; no Dolly,--no Dotty! And that's SURE!" + +There was a ring in Dotty's voice that proclaimed an unshakable +determination, and Dolly knew it. She knew that no coaxing of Bernice +or even of Dolly herself, could make Dotty go without her chum. + +For chums these two were, in the deepest sense of the word. They were +together all that was possible during their waking hours. They studied +together, worked and played together, and occupied together their +little house, built for them, and called Treasure House. + +Dolly knew she couldn't enjoy going anywhere without Dotty, and she +knew Dot felt the same way about her. But this was such a big, splendid +opportunity, that she hated to have Dotty miss it, even if she couldn't +go herself. The two girls said good-night, and Dolly went back to her +family in the library. + +"I hate terribly to disappoint you, Dolly darling," began her mother, +and the tears welled up in Dolly's blue eyes. This beginning meant a +negative decision, that was self evident, but Dolly Fayre was plucky by +nature and she was not the sort that whines at disappointment. + +"All right," she said, striving to be cheerful, and blinking her eyes +quickly to keep those tears back. + +"Now, look here, Edith," said Mr. Fayre, "I don't believe I can stand +this. I don't differ with you regarding the children, but I do think +you might let Dolly go on this party. Even if it does take a week out +of school, she'll get enough general information and experience from a +week in the city to make up." + +"That's just it, Will. But the experiences she gets there may not be +the best possible for a little girl of fifteen." + +"Oh, fifteen isn't an absolute baby. Remember, dear, Dolly is going to +grow up some day, and she's getting started." + +"And another thing. I asked Mr. Forbes a few questions while you were +talking to Bernice, and it seems this other girl, the niece, Alicia, is +attending a very fashionable girls' boarding school." + +"Well, what of that? You speak as if she were attending a lunatic +asylum!" + +"No; but can't you see if Dolly goes to stay a week with wealthy +Bernice Forbes and this fashionable Alicia, she'll get her head full of +all sorts of notions that don't belong there?" + +"No, I won't, mother," murmured Dolly, who, again on her mother's arm +chair, was looking earnestly into the maternal blue eyes, so like her +own. And very lovingly Mrs. Fayre returned the gaze, for she adored her +little daughter and was actuated only by the best motives in making her +decisions. + +"And, here's another thing," said Dolly, "Dot won't go, if I don't. It +seems too bad to spoil HER fun." + +"Oh, yes, she will," said Mrs. Fayre, smiling. "She would be foolish to +give up her pleasure just because you can't share it." + +"Foolish or not, she won't go," repeated Dolly. "I know my Dot, and +when she says she won't do a thing, she just simply doesn't do it!" + +"I'd be sorry to be the means of keeping Dotty at home," and Mrs. Fayre +sighed deeply. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A FAVOURABLE DECISION + + +All through dinner time, Mrs. Fayre was somewhat silent, her eyes +resting on Dolly with a wistful, uncertain expression. She wanted to +give the child the pleasure she craved, but she had hard work to bring +herself to the point of overcoming her own objections. + +At last, however, when the meal was nearly over, she smiled at her +little daughter, and said, "All right, Dolly, you may go." + +"Oh, mother!" Dolly cried, overwhelmed with sudden delight. "Really? +Oh, I am so glad! Are you sure you're willing?" + +"I've persuaded myself to be willing, against my will," returned Mrs. +Fayre, whimsically. "I confess I just hate to have you go, but I can't +bear to deprive you of the pleasure trip. And, as you say, it would +also keep Dotty at home, and so, altogether, I think I shall have to +give in." + +"Oh, you angel mother! You blessed lady! How good you are!" And Dolly +flew around the table and gave her mother a hug that nearly suffocated +her. + +"There, there, Dollygirl," said her father, "go back and finish your +pudding while we talk this over a bit. Are you sure, Edith, you are +willing? I don't want you to feel miserable and anxious all the week +Dolly is cut loose from your apron string." + +"No, Will; it's all right. If you and the Roses and Trudy, here, all +agree it's best for Dolly to go, it seems foolish for me to object. And +it may be for her good, after all." + +"That's what I say, mother," put in Trudy. "Doll isn't a child, +exactly. She's fifteen and a half, and it will be a fine experience for +her to see a little bit of the great world. And she couldn't do it +under better conditions than at Mr. Forbes' brother's. The Forbes' are +a fine family, and you know, perfectly well, there'll be nothing there +that isn't just exactly right." + +"It isn't that, Trudy. But,--oh, I don't know; I daresay I'm a foolish +mother bird, afraid of her littlest fledgling." + +"You're a lovely mother-bird!" cried Dolly, "and not foolish a bit! +but, oh, do decide positively, for I can't wait another minute to tell +Dot, if I'm going." + +"Very well," said Mrs. Fayre, "run along and tell Dotty, and Bernice, +too." + +Dolly made a jump and two hops for the telephone, and soon the wires +must have bent under the weight of joyous exclamations. + +"Oh, Dolly, isn't it fine!" + +"Oh, Dotty, it's splendid! I can hardly believe it!" + +"Have you told Bernice?" + +"Not yet. Had to tell you first. When do we go?" + +"Next Tuesday, I think. Now, you tell Bernie, so she can write to her +uncle that we accept." + +And then there was another jubilation over the telephone. + +"Fine!" cried Bernice, as she heard the news. "Lovely! I'd so much +rather have you two girls than any others. I'll write Uncle Jeff +to-night that I'll bring you. And I'll come over to-morrow, and we'll +decide what clothes to take, and all that." + +Mrs. Fayre sighed, as Dolly reported this conversation. + +"You girls can't do a bit of serious study all the rest of the time +before you go," she said. "Now, Dolly, I'll have to ask you to do your +lessons every day, before you plan or talk over the trip at all." + +"Yes, mother, I will," and Dolly started at once for her schoolbooks. + +It was hard work to put her mind on her studies, with the wonderful +possibilities that lay ahead of her. But she was exceedingly +conscientious, was Dolly Fayre, and she resolutely put the subject of +the New York visit out of her mind, and did her algebra examples with +diligence. + +Not so, Dotty Rose. After Dolly's telephone message, she flung her +schoolbooks aside, with a shout of joy, and declared she couldn't study +that night. + +"I don't wonder," laughed her father. "Why, Dot, you're going on a +veritable Fairy-tale visit. You are quite justified in being excited +over it." + +"I thought you and Dolly didn't like Bernice Forbes very much," said +Mrs. Rose. + +"We didn't use to, mother. But lately, she's been a whole lot nicer. +You know Doll made her sort of popular, and after that, she helped +along, herself, by being ever so much more pleasant and chummy with us +all. She used to be stuck up and disagreeable; ostentatious about being +rich, and all that. But nowadays, she's more simple, and more agreeable +every way." + +"That's nice," observed Mr. Rose. "Forbes is not a popular man, nor a +very good citizen; I mean he isn't public-spirited or generous. But +he's a fine business man and a man of sound judgment and integrity. I'm +glad you're chums with his daughter, Dotty. And you ought to have a +perfectly gorgeous time on the New York visit." + +"Oh, we will, Daddy; I'm sure of that. What about clothes, Mumsie?" + +"I'll have to see about that. You'll need a few new frocks, I suppose, +but we can get them ready made, or get Miss Felton to come for a few +days. There's nearly a week before you start." + +"I want some nice things," declared Dotty. "You know Bernice has +wonderful clothes, and I suppose her cousin has, too." + +"Maybe your wardrobe can't be as fine as a rich man's daughter," said +her father smiling at her, "but I hope mother will fix you up so you +won't feel ashamed of your clothes." + +"I think they'll be all right," and Mrs. Rose nodded her head. "I'll +see Mrs. Fayre to-morrow, and we'll find out what Bernice is going to +take with her. You children can't need elaborate things, but they must +be right." + +The Rose family spent the entire evening talking over the coming trip, +and when Dotty went to bed she set an alarm clock, that she might rise +early in the morning to do her lessons for the day before breakfast. +She did them, too, and came to the table, smiling in triumph. + +"Did all my examples and learned my history perfectly," she exulted. +"So you see, mother, my trip won't interfere with my education!" + +"Oh, you can make up your lessons," said her father, carelessly. "I +wouldn't give much for a girl who couldn't do a few extra tasks to make +up for a grand outing such as you're to have." + +"I either!" agreed Dotty. "But the Fayres are worried to death for fear +Doll will miss a lesson somewhere." + +"Dolly learns more slowly than you," remarked her mother. "You have a +gift for grasping facts quickly, and a good memory to retain them." + +"You ought to be grateful for that," said Mr. Rose. + +"I am," returned Dotty. "When I see Dolly grubbing over her history, I +can't understand how she can be so long over it." + +"But she's better in mathematics than you are." + +"Yes, she is. She helps me a lot with the old puzzlers. She thinks +we'll study in New York. But somehow, I don't believe we will." + +"Of course, you won't," laughed Mr. Rose. "Why, you'd be foolish to do +that. A fine opportunity has come to you girls, and I advise you to +make the most of it. See all the sights you can; go to all the pleasant +places you can; and have all the fun you can cram into your days. Then +go to sleep and rest up for the next day." + +"Good, sound advice, Dads," said Dotty; "you're a gentleman and a +scholar to look at it like that! But I don't know as we can go about +much; I believe Mr. Forbes is quite an old man, and who will take us +about?" + +"I thought the housekeeper would," said Mrs. Rose. + +"I don't know at all, mother. It seems Bernie has never visited there +before, though she has been to the house. Her uncle is queer, and why +he wants his two nieces all of a sudden, and his two nieces' friends, +nobody knows. It's sort of mysterious, I think." + +"Well, it's all right, as long as you're properly invited. It seems +strange Bernie's cousin didn't care to take a friend." + +"Yes; I wonder what she's like. Bernice hasn't seen her since they were +little girls. She lives out in Iowa, I think. She's at school in +Connecticut somewhere. It's all sort of unknown. But I like that part +of it. I love new experiences." + +"I always do too, Dot," said her father. "I reckon when you come home, +you'll have lots to tell us." + +"New York isn't so strange to me," said Dotty. "I've been there a lot +of times, you know. But to go and stay in a house there,--that's the +fun. It's so different from going in for a day's shopping with mother. +Or the day we all went to the Hippodrome." + +"You'll probably go to the Hippodrome again, or some such +entertainment," suggested Mrs. Rose. + +"I dunno. I imagine the old gentleman doesn't favour such gaiety. And +the housekeeper lady will likely be too busy to do much for us. We +can't go anywhere alone, can we?" + +"I don't know," replied Mrs. Rose. "You must be guided by +circumstances, Dotty. Whatever Mr. Forbes and Mrs. Berry say for you to +do, will be all right. Make as little trouble as you can, and do as +you're told. You'll have fun enough, just being with the girls." + +"Indeed I will! Oh, I'm so glad Dolly can go. I wouldn't have stirred a +step without her!" + +"No, I know you wouldn't," agreed her mother. + +Next day at school recess, Bernice showed the girls a letter she had +received from Alicia. + +"You know I haven't seen her in years," Bernice said; "I think she must +be more grown up than we are, though she's only just sixteen." + +"Dearest Bernice:" the letter ran. + +"Isn't it simply screaming that we're to camp out at Uncle Jeff's! I'm +wildly excited over it! Do you know why he has asked us? I'm not sure, +myself, but I know there's a reason, and it's a secret. I heard aunt +and father talking about it when I was home at Christmas time, but when +I drifted into the room, they shut up like clams. However, we'll have +one gay old time! Think of being in New York a whole week! I don't want +to take any of the girls from here, for fear they'd bring back tales. +Don't you bring anybody you can't trust. Oh, I've laid lots of plans, +but I won't tell you about them till I see you. Bring all your best +clothes, and ask your father for quite a lot of money, though I suppose +Uncle Jeff will give us some. I can scarcely wait for the time to come! + + "Devotedly yours, +"ALICIA." + +"What does she mean by a secret reason for your going?" asked Dolly. + +"I haven't an idea," replied Bernice. "My father knows, though, I'm +quite sure, 'cause he smiled at that part of Alicia's letter. But he +wouldn't tell me. He only said, 'Oh, pshaw, nothing of any consequence. +It's very natural that a lonely old bachelor uncle should want to see +his little girl nieces, and it's very kind and thoughtful of him to ask +you to bring friends.' He says Uncle Jeff is not fond of company, and +spends all his time by himself. He's a scientist or naturalist or +something, and works in his study all day. So, dad says, it'll be fine +for us girls to have four of us to be company for each other." + +"It's gorgeous!" sighed Dotty, in an ecstasy of anticipation. "But what +does your cousin mean by bringing a lot of money? We can't do +that,--and our parents don't let us spend much money ourselves, anyway." + +"Oh, that'll be all right," said Bernice, carelessly. "We won't need +much money. And if we go to matinees, or anything like that, of course, +I'll pay, if Uncle Jeff doesn't. You two girls are my guests, you know. +You needn't take any money at all." + +"All right," said Dolly, and dismissed the subject. Money did not +figure very largely in her affairs, as, except for a small allowance +for trifles, she never handled any. Nor did Dotty, as these two were +still looked upon as children by their parents. + +But motherless Bernice bought her own clothes and paid her own bills; +and so generous was her father, that there was no stint, and as a +consequence, she too, cared and thought little about money as a +consideration. + +"I'm a little scared of that Alicia person," said Dolly to Dotty as +they walked home from school. + +"Pooh! I'm not. She's no richer than Bernie." + +"It isn't that. I'm not afraid of rich people. But she seems so grown +up and--well, experienced." + +"Well, sixteen is grown up. And we're getting there, Dolly. I shall put +up my hair while I'm in New York." + +"Why, Dot Rose! Really?" + +"Yes, that is if Alicia does. Bernice often does, you know." + +"I know it. I'll ask mother if I may." + +"Goodness, Dolly, can't you decide a thing like that for yourself? What +would your mother care?" + +"I'd rather ask her," returned the conscientious Dolly. + +Mrs. Fayre smiled when Dolly put the question. "I've been expecting +that," she said. "You'd better do as the others do, dear. If they twist +up their pigtails, you do the same." + +"I'll show you how," offered Trudy. "If you're going to do it, you may +as well learn a becoming fashion." + +So Trudy taught her little sister how to coil up her yellow, curly mop +in a correct fashion, and very becoming it was to Dolly. + +But it made her look a year or two older than she was. + +"Oh!" exclaimed her mother, when she saw her, "Where's my baby? I've +lost my little girl!" + +"Just as well," said Dolly, delighted at her achievement and +pirouetting before a mirror. "It's time I began to be a little grown +up, mother." + +"Yes, I suppose it is. I felt just the same when Trudy put up her curls +for the first time. I am a foolish old thing!" + +"Now, don't you talk like that," cried Dolly, "or I'll pull down my +hair and wear it in tails till I'm fifty!" + +"No, dear; do as you like about it. And, if you want to wear it that +way while you're in New York, do. It's all right." + +More discussions came with the new dresses. Mrs. Fayre was for keeping +to the more youthful models, but Mrs. Hose felt that the girls should +have slightly older styles. Bernice's frocks were almost young ladyish, +but those were not copied. + +Dotty and Dolly always had their things similar, different in colouring +but alike in style. So their respective mothers had many confabs before +the grave questions were settled. + +And the result was two very attractive wardrobes that were really right +for fifteen-year-old girls. Afternoon dresses of voile or thin silk, +and one pretty party dress for each of dainty chiffon and lace. Morning +frocks of linen and a tailored street suit seemed to be ample in amount +and variety. + +Bernice had more and grander ones, but the two D's were entirely +satisfied, and watched the packing of their small trunks with joyful +contentment. + +Dolly put in her diary, declaring she should write a full account of +each day's happenings. + +"Then that'll do for me," said Dotty. "I hate to keep a diary, and what +would be the use? It would be exactly like yours, Doll, and I can +borrow yours to read to my people after you've read it to your family." + +"All right," agreed Dolly, good-naturedly, for what pleased one girl +usually suited the other. + +They didn't take their schoolbooks, for it made a heavy load, and too, +all agreed that it would spoil the pleasant vacation. The girls +promised to make up the lessons on their return, and so it seemed as if +nothing marred the anticipation of their splendid holiday. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE ARRIVAL + + +The girls were put on the train at Berwick and as Mrs. Berry was to +meet them at the station in New York, they were allowed to make the +trip alone. + +"I think this train ride the best part of the whole thing," said Dolly, +as she took off her coat and hung it up beside her chair. "I do love to +ride in a parlour car; I wish we were to travel in it for a week." + +"I like it, too," agreed Bernice. "Oh, girls, what fun we're going to +have! You won't like Uncle Jeff at first, he's awful queer; but there's +one thing sure, he'll let us do just as we like. He's very +good-natured." + +"What's Mrs. Berry like?" asked Dotty. "I suppose we'll obey her?" + +"Yes, but she's good-natured, too. I can twist her round my finger. Oh, +we'll have a high old time." + +"S'pose Mrs. Berry shouldn't be there to meet us when we get in," +suggested Dolly. "What then?" + +"She will, of course," said Bernice. "But if she shouldn't, if the car +broke down or anything like that, we'd take a taxicab right to the +house." + +This sounded very grown-up and grand to the two D's, who had had little +experience with taxicabs, and Dotty exclaimed with glee, "I'd rather do +that than go in Mr. Forbes' car! What a lark it would be! Oh, Bernice, +can we go somewhere in a taxicab while we're there?" + +"I don't know, Dotty,--I s'pose so. But why should we? Uncle Jeff has +two cars, and the chauffeur will take us wherever we want to go." + +"But I've never been in a taxicab,--without older people, I mean, and +I'd love to try it." + +"Well, I expect you can," returned Bernice, carelessly. "I dare say you +can do pretty much anything you want to." + +"But do behave yourself, Dot," cautioned Dolly; "you're so daring and +venturesome, I don't know what mischief you'll get into!" + +"Oh, we won't get into mischief," laughed Bernice. "There'll be enough +fun, without doing anything we oughtn't to." + +"Of course, I won't do anything wrong," declared Dotty, indignantly. +"But there are so many things to do, it sets me crazy to think of it!" + +"I'm going to buy things," announced Bernice. "There aren't any decent +shops in Berwick, and I'm going to get lots of things in the city +stores." + +"We can't do that," said Dolly, decidedly. "We haven't lots of money +like you have, Bernie; I'm going to see things. I want to see all the +pictures I possibly can. I love to look at pictures." + +"I want to go to the theatre," and Dotty looked at Bernice inquiringly. +"Will we, do you s'pose?" + +"Oh, yes, Mrs. Berry will take us. Perhaps we can go to matinees, +alone." + +"I don't think we ought to do that," and Dolly looked distinctly +disapproving. + +"Oh, come now, old priggy-wig," said Dotty, "don't be too awfully +'fraidcat!" + +"It will be just as Mrs. Berry says," Bernice informed them. "Father +said I must obey her in everything. Uncle Jeff won't pay much attention +to what we do, but Mrs. Berry will. I wonder if Alicia will be there +when we get there." + +But Alicia wasn't. As the girls came up the stairs into the great +station, they saw a smiling, motherly-looking lady waiting to welcome +them. + +"Here you are!" she cried, and it wasn't necessary for Bernice to +introduce her friends, except to tell which was which. + +"I feel as if I knew you," Mrs. Berry said, and her kindly grey eyes +beamed at them both. "Now I must learn to tell you apart. Dolly with +golden hair,--Dotty with black. Is that it?" + +"Is Alicia here?" asked Bernice, eagerly. + +"No; she's coming in at the other station. She won't arrive for an hour +or more. Where are your checks? Let George take them." + +The footman took the checks and looked after them, while Mrs. Berry +piloted the girls to the waiting motor-car. + +It was a large and very beautiful limousine, and they all got in, and +were soon rolling up Fifth Avenue. + +"How splendid it all is!" exclaimed Dolly, looking out at the crowds. +"It seems as if we must get all snarled up in the traffic, but we don't." + +"Kirke is a very careful driver," said Mrs. Berry, "and he understands +just where to go. How you've grown, Bernice. I haven't seen you for two +years, you know." + +"Yes, I have. We're all getting to be grown-ups, Mrs. Berry. Isn't +Alicia?" + +"I don't know. I haven't seen her for a long time. But she's at a very +fashionable school, so I suppose she is full of notions." + +"What are notions?" asked Dolly, smiling up into the speaker's eyes. + +"Oh, notions," and Mrs. Berry laughed, "well, it's thinking you know it +all yourself, and not being willing to listen to advice. I don't +believe you have notions, Dolly." + +"No, she hasn't," said Bernice. "But Dotty and I have! However, I +promised Dad I'd obey you, Mrs. Berry, in everything you say, so I +don't believe you'll have any trouble with us." + +"Land, no! I don't expect any. Now, let me see; I've two big rooms for +you all, with two beds in each. I suppose you'll room with your cousin, +Bernice, and these other two girls together?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Dolly, quickly, for she had no idea of rooming with +any one but Dotty. + +"That settles itself, then." + +"But suppose I don't like Alicia," said Bernice, doubtfully. "Suppose +we quarrel." + +"All right," and Mrs. Berry nodded her head, "there are other rooms. I +don't want you to be uncomfortable in any particular. I thought you'd +like it better that way. The two rooms I've fixed for you, are two big +ones on the second floor. Mine is on the same floor, in the rear. Your +uncle's rooms are upon the third floor." + +"I think it sounds fine," declared Bernice, "and I'm sure I'll get on +with Alicia, if she does have 'notions.'" + +And then they reached the big house on upper Fifth Avenue, and as they +entered, Dolly felt a little appalled at the grandeur everywhere about +her. Not so Dotty. She loved elegance, and as her feet sank into the +deep soft rugs, she laughed out in sheer delight of being in such +beautiful surroundings. Mrs. Berry took the girls at once to their +rooms, and sent the car for Alicia. + +"I'll give the front room to Dotty and Dolly," she said to Bernice; +"and you can have the other. It's quite as nice, only it looks out on +the side street, not on the Avenue." + +"That's right, Mrs. Berry. Dot and Dolly are more company than Alicia +and I are. We're really members of the family. I was so surprised at +Uncle Jeff's inviting us. Why did he do it, anyway?" + +"Why, indeed!" said Mrs. Berry, but her expression was quizzical. "No +one can tell why Mr. Forbes does things! He is a law unto himself. Now, +girls, your trunks are coming up. And here are two maids to unpack for +you and put your things away. You can direct them." + +Mrs. Berry bustled away, and two neat-looking maids appeared, one of +whom entered Bernice's room and the other attended on Dot and Dolly. + +"Which frocks shall I leave out for dinner?" the maid asked, as she +shook out and hung up the dresses in the wardrobe. + +"The blue voile for me," replied Dolly, "and--er--what is your name?" + +"Foster, miss," and she smiled at Dolly's gentle face. + +"And the rose-coloured voile for me," directed Dotty. "You'll find, +Foster, that our frocks are pretty much alike except as to colour." + +"Yes, ma'am. And these patent leather pumps, I daresay?" + +"Yes, that's right," and Dotty flung herself into a big easy-chair and +sighed in an ecstasy of delight that she really had a ladies' maid to +wait on her. Dolly didn't take it so easily. She wanted to look after +her own things, as she did at home. But Dotty motioned to her not to do +so, lest Foster should think them inexperienced or countrified. + +Their simple belongings were soon in place, and the two D's wandered +into Bernice's room. + +Here everything was helter-skelter. Finery was piled on beds and +chairs, and hats were flung on top of one another, while shoes and +veils, gloves and hair-brushes were scattered on the floor. + +"It's my fault," laughed Bernice, "don't blame Perkins for it! I'm +hunting for a bracelet, that has slipped out of my jewel case, somehow. +It must be in this lot of stockings!" + +It wasn't, but it turned up at last, inside of a hat, and Bernice gave +a little squeal of relief. + +"That's all right, then!" she cried; "I wouldn't lose that for worlds! +It's a bangle father gave me for Christmas, and it has a diamond in the +pendant. All right, Perkins, put the things away any place you like. +But save hooks and shelves enough for my cousin Alicia. She'll be in +this room with me." + +Each large room had what seemed to the two little women ample room for +clothes. But Bernice had brought so much more than they did, that her +things overflowed the space provided. + +"I'll wear this to-night, for dinner," she said, pulling out a light +green silk from a pile of frocks. + +"Oh, Bernie!" exclaimed Dotty; "not that! That's a party dress, isn't +it?" + +"Not exactly. I've more dressy ones. But it is a little fussy for a +quiet evening at home, I suppose. Well, what shall I wear?" + +"This?" and Dotty picked out a simple challie. + +"Oh, gracious, no! That's a morning frock. I guess I'll stick to the +green. Don't you think so, Perkins?" + +"Yes, miss. It's a lovely gown." The maid was interested in the girls, +her life in the quiet house being usually most uneventful. This sudden +invasion of young people was welcomed by all the servants, and there +were many in Jefferson Forbes' palatial home. Mrs. Berry had engaged +several extra ones to help with the increased work, but the two maids +assigned to the girls were trusted and tried retainers. + +And then, there was a bustle heard downstairs, a peal of laughter and a +perfect flood of chatter in a high, shrill voice, and with a bounding +run up the staircase, Alicia burst into the room where the three girls +were. + +"Hello, Bernice, old girl!" she shouted, and flung her arms around her +cousin's neck, giving her resounding smacks on her cheek. "Golly! +Molly! Polly! but I'm glad to see you again! Forgotten me, have you? +Take a good look! Your long lost Alicia! 'Tis really she! And look +who's here! I'll bet a pig these two stammering, blushing young misses +are the far-famed Dolly and Dotty, but which is which?" + +"Guess!" said Dotty, laughing, as Dolly stood dismayed, and half +frightened at this whirlwind of a girl. + +"All right, I'll guess. Lemmesee! Dolly Fayre and Dotty Rose;--you see +I know your names. Why, the fair one is Dolly of course, and that +leaves Dotty to be you!" + +"Right!" cried Dotty, and Alicia flew to her and grabbed her as +enthusiastically as she had Bernice. + +"Oh, you chickabiddy!" she cried. "I foresee we shall be chums! I love +Towhead, too, but I'm a little afraid of her. See her steely blue eyes, +even now, fixed on me in utter disapprobation!" + +"Not at all," said Dolly, politely, "I think you're very nice." + +The calm demureness of this speech was too much for Alicia, and she +went off in peals of laughter. + +"Oh, you're rich!" she cried; "simpully rich! WON'T we have fun! I'm +'most afraid I'll love you more'n the other one--the black haired +witch." And then Dolly was treated to an embrace that ruffled her hair +and collar and came near ruffling her temper. For Dolly didn't like +such sudden familiarity, but her good manners kept her from showing her +annoyance. + +"Oh, you don't fool me!" cried Alicia; "I know you think I'm awful! Too +rambunctious and all that! But I'm used to it! At school they call me +That Awful Alicia! How's that?" + +"Fine, if you like it--and I believe you do!" laughed Dolly. + +"Mind reader! I say, Bernice, where am I to put my togs! You've +squatted on every available foot of property in this room! I thought it +was to be ours together! But every single bed in the room is covered +with your rags. I've two trunks of duds, myself." + +"Two trunks! Why did you bring so much?" + +"Had to have it. There's lots of things I carry around with me beside +clothes. Why, I've brought a whole chafing-dish outfit." + +"Goodness, Alicia," exclaimed Bernice, "do you think Uncle Jeff won't +give us enough to eat?" + +"I take no chances. But it isn't that. It's thusly. Say we're out of an +evening, and on returning, are sent straight to beddy-by. How +comforting to have the necessary for a little spread of our own! Oh, +I've tried it out at school, and I can tell you there's something in +it. But, where, ladies and gentlemen, WHERE I ask you, can I put it? +Bernice has all the places full." + +"Leave it in your trunk," suggested Dolly, "until you want to use it." + +"Angel child!" cried Alicia. "I knew you had some brain concealed among +that mop of yellow silk floss! I'll do that same, and be thankful if my +voracious cousin leaves me enough room for a few scant and skimpy +clodings!" + +And then, as Perkins unpacked Alicia's trunks and Foster came in to +help, the room really seemed incapable of holding all. + +"We'd better get out, Doll," said Dotty, laughing, as Alicia deposited +an armful of petticoats and dressing jackets in her lap. + +"Oh, don't go! I want you to hold things till I find a place for them. +And, say, are your own wardrobes full?" + +"No!" cried Dolly. "Just the thing! Put your overflow in our room, +we've less than a dozen dresses between us." + +"Goodness gracious me! Oh, you're going to buy a lot in the city,--I +see!" + +"No, we're not," said Dolly, who never sailed under false colours; "we +brought all we had, all our best ones. I mean. But we don't have things +like you and Bernice." + +"You frank little bunch of honesty! Isn't she the darling! All right, +neighbours, since you insist, I'll put some seventeen or twenty-four of +my Paris confections in your empty cupboards." + +Of course, Alicia was exaggerating, but she really did take half a +dozen frocks into the two D's room, and hung them in outspread fashion +right over their best costumes. + +"And, now, since one good turn deserves another," she rattled on, "I'll +just toss my extra shoes and slippers into your lowest bureau drawer, +and my stockings into the next one. There's plenty of room." + +So there was, by crowding the contents already there. But Alicia was so +quick of motion, and so gay of speech that they couldn't refuse to let +her have her way. And, too, it seemed inevitable, for there wasn't room +for Alicia's things and Bernie's in the same room, and the D's shelves +and bureau drawers showed much vacancy. + +"Now, what do we wear this evening?" Alicia asked, tossing over her +dresses. "This, let us say?" She held up a low--necked evening gown of +silk tissue. + +"No, you goose," said Bernice, decidedly. "Your respected uncle would +think you were crazy! Here, wear this." + +Bernice picked out one of the least ornate, a pretty Dresden silk, and +then the girls all began to dress for dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A MERRY QUARTETTE + + +"Ready for dinner, girls?" sounded a cheery voice, and Mrs. Berry came +bustling in. "Almost, aren't you? Try to remember that Mr. Forbes +doesn't like to be kept waiting." + +"I'm scared to death," said Bernice, frankly. "I never know what to say +to Uncle Jeff, anyway, and being a guest makes it all the harder." + +"Pooh! I'm not afraid," exclaimed Alicia. "Leave it to me. I'll +engineer the conversation and all you girls need to do is to chip in +now and then." + +Alicia was a tall, fair girl, larger than any of the others. She was +plump and jolly-looking, and had a breezy manner that was attractive +because of her smiling good-natured face. She laughed a great deal, and +seemed to have no lack of self-confidence and self-assurance. Her dress +had many fluttering ribbons of vivid pink, and frills of lace of an +inexpensive variety. + +She led the way downstairs, calling out, "March on, march on to +victory!" and the others followed. + +The four entered the drawing-room, and found there a tall, dignified +gentleman, in full evening dress. He had a handsome face, though a +trifle stern and forbidding of expression, and his closely trimmed +white beard was short and pointed. He had large, dark eyes, which +darted from one girl to the other as the quartette appeared. + +"H'm," he said, "this is Bernice; how do you do, my dear? How do you +do?" + +"I'm Alicia," announced that spry damsel, gaily, and she caught him by +the hand. + +"Yes, and very like your mother, my dear sister. Well, Alicia, if you +possess half her fine traits, you'll make a splendid woman. But I doubt +if you are very much like her except in appearance. You look to me like +a flibbertigibbet,--if you know what that is." + +"Yes, and I am one, thank you, Uncle Jeff," and Alicia laughed gaily, +not at all abashed at her uncle's remark. + +"These are my two friends from Berwick, uncle," said Bernice, +introducing them. "Dolly Fayre and Dotty Rose." + +"You are welcome, my dears," and the courteous old gentleman bowed to +them with great dignity. "I trust you can find amusement and enjoy your +visit here. Now, let us dine." + +Dolly looked curiously at her host, as he stood back, and bowed the +girls out of the room, before he followed them, but Dotty was so +interested in the surroundings that she gave no second thought to Mr. +Forbes, as she passed him. + +The dining-room was a marvel of old time grandeur. Nothing was modern, +but the heavy black walnut sideboard and chairs spoke of long usage and +old time ways. + +Mrs. Berry did not appear at the table, and evidently was not expected, +as no place was set for her. + +Mr. Forbes sat at the head, and two girls at either side. A +grave-faced, important looking butler directed the service, and two +footmen assisted. Everything was of the best, and wonderfully cooked +and served, but Dolly and Dotty could scarcely eat for the novelty and +interest of the scene. + +"Come, come, Miss Fayre, eat your terrapin," counselled Mr. Forbes, "it +is not so good cold." + +"Oh, gracious, Uncle Jeff," exclaimed the volatile Alicia, "don't call +those kids Miss! Call 'em Dotty and Dolly, do." + +"Can't remember which is which," declared her uncle, looking at the two +D's. "I can remember the last names, because the Fayre girl is fair, +and the Rose girl is rosy. I shall call them Rosy and Fairy, I think." + +"All right, Mr. Forbes," and Dolly smiled and dimpled at the pretty +conceit. + +"And you two must call me something less formal," he said. "Suppose you +call me Uncle Forbes, as you are not really my nieces." + +This seemed a fine plan and was readily adopted. + +"And now," Mr. Forbes went on, "I don't mind confessing that I've no +idea what to do with you girls. By way of entertainment, I mean." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," said Bernice, "it's enough entertainment just to be +here in New York for a week. Why, we will have all we can do to see the +shops and the sights--I suppose we can go around sight-seeing?" + +"Bless my soul, yes. Of course you can. Go where you like. Order the +motors whenever you choose. Mrs. Berry will do all you want her to; +just tell her your plans. All I ask is that I shan't be troubled with +you during the day." + +"Why, uncle," cried Alicia, "won't we see you at all in the daytime?" + +"No. I am a very busy man. I cannot have my work interrupted by a pack +of foolish chatterers." + +"Whatever did you ask us for?" Alicia's round face wore a look of +surprised inquiry. + +"Never you mind, miss. I had a very good reason for asking you, but one +doesn't always tell his reasons. However, I expect to see you every +night at the dinner table, and for an hour or so afterward in the +drawing room. The rest of the time you must amuse yourselves. Have you +any friends in New York, any of you?" + +"I have a few," said Dotty, as the inquiring glance turned in her +direction. + +"Invite them to the house when you choose," said Mr. Forbes, +hospitably, if curtly. + +"Oh, no, sir," said Dotty, quickly. "They wouldn't fit in." + +Mr. Forbes chuckled. "You have a sense of the fitness of things, Miss +Rosy. Why wouldn't they fit in?" + +"Why, they're plain people. Not grand and elegant like you." + +"Oho! So I'm grand and elegant, am I? And are you grand and elegant, +too?" + +Dotty considered. "Yes," she said, finally, "I am, while I'm here. I'm +very adaptable, and while I'm in New York, I mean to be just as grand +and elegant as the house itself." + +Mr. Forbes burst into hearty laughter. "Good for you!" he cried. "When +you're in Rome do as the Romans do. And you, Fairy of the golden curls. +Are you going to be grand, also?" + +"I can't," returned Dolly, simply. "I can only be myself, wherever I +am. But I shall enjoy all the beautiful things as much as Dotty." + +Again Mr. Forbes laughed. "You're a great pair," he said. "I'm glad I +discovered you. And now, Bernice and Alicia, haven't you any young +friends in town you'd like to invite to see you here? Remember the +house is yours." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," cried Alicia, "you are too good! Do you mean it? Can +we do just as we like? Invite parties, and all that?" + +"Yes, indeed. Why not? Have the best time possible, and see to it that +those two little friends of yours have a good time, too." + +"But won't you go with us anywhere?" asked Bernice; "I thought you'd +take us to see places where we can't go alone." + +"Bless my soul! Take a lot of chattering magpies sightseeing! No, not +if I know it! Mrs. Berry will take you; and on a pinch, I might let my +secretary accompany you, say to see the downtown big buildings or the +bright lights at night." + +"Oh, do you have a secretary?" asked Alicia. "What's he like?" + +"Fenn? Oh, he's a good sort. Very dependable and really accommodating. +He'll be of great help to you, I'm sure." + +"What is your business, Mr. Forbes?" asked Dolly, who was much +interested in this strange type of man. She had never seen any one like +him, and he seemed to her a sort of fairy godfather, who waved his wand +and gave them all sorts of wonderful gifts. + +"I haven't any business, my dear. My occupation and amusement is +collecting specimens for my collection. I am an entomologist and +ornithologist, if you know what those big words mean." + +"Yes, sir, I do." And Dolly smiled back at him. "Mayn't we see your +collection?" + +"I'm not sure about that, I don't show it to everybody. It is up on the +fourth floor of this house, and no one is allowed up there unless +accompanied by myself or Mr. Fenn. By the way, remember that, all of +you. On no account go up to the fourth floor. Not that you'd be likely +to, for you have no call above the second floor, where your rooms are. +But this is a special command. The house is yours, as I said, but that +means only this first floor and the one above it." + +"Goodness me, Uncle Jeff!" said Alicia, "you needn't lay down the law +so hard! We're not absolute babes, to be so strictly cautioned and +forbidden! If you desire us not to go up the second flight of stairs, +of course we won't." + +"That's right, my dear, don't. But I do lay it down as a law, and it is +the only law I shall impose on you. Except for that you can follow out +your own sweet wills." + +"But," said Dotty, her dark eyes brilliant with the excitement of the +occasion, "I'm not always sure as to what is proper. I want to do just +what is right. Is it correct for us to go about alone, in your big +motor, with your chauffeur? Can we go to the art galleries and the +shops alone?" + +"Bless my soul! I don't know." The big man looked absolutely helpless. +"Surely you must know such things yourselves. What do your mothers let +you do at home? Oh, well, if you're uncertain, ask Mrs. Berry, she'll +know. She's an all-round capable person, and she'll know all the +unwritten laws about chaperonage and such things. Do as she bids you." + +This was satisfactory, and Dotty began at once to make plans for the +next day. + +"Let's go to the Metropolitan Museum first," she said. + +"All right," chimed in Alicia, "we'll go there in the morning, then. +But to-morrow is Wednesday, and I want to go to a matinee in the +afternoon. Can't we, Uncle Jeff?" + +"Of course you can. Tell Fenn, he'll see about tickets for you. Just +tell Mrs. Berry to see Fenn about it." + +"Oh," sighed the outspoken Dotty, "it is just like Fairyland! Tell +Fenn! Just as if Fenn were a magician!" + +"He is," said Mr. Forbes, smiling at her enthusiasm. "I couldn't keep +house without Fenn. He's my right hand man for everything. You girls +mustn't claim too much of his time and attention, for I keep him on the +jump most of the time myself." + +"Does your collection keep you so busy?" asked Dolly, whose secret +longing was to see that same collection, which greatly interested her. + +"Yes, indeed. There's always work to be done in connection with it. +I've a lot of new specimens just arrived to-day, awaiting +classification and tabulation." + +After dinner they all returned to the drawing-room. Mr. Forbes seemed +desirous of keeping up a general conversation, but it was hard to find +a subject to interest him. He would talk a few moments, and then lapse +into absent-mindedness and almost forget the girls' presence. + +At times, he would get up from his chair, and stalk up and down the +room, perhaps suddenly pausing in front of one of them, and asking a +direct question. + +"How old are you?" he asked abruptly of Alicia. + +"Sixteen," she replied. "I was sixteen last October." + +"You look like your mother at that age. She was my only sister. She has +now been dead--" + +"Ten years," prompted Alicia. "I was a little child when she died." + +"And who looks after you now? Your father's sister, isn't it?" + +"Yes, Uncle Jeff. My Aunt Nellie. But I'm at school, you know. I shall +be there the next four years, I suppose." + +"Yes, yes, to be sure. Yes, yes, of course. And you, Bernice? You have +no mother, either. But who looks after you?" + +"I look after myself, Uncle. Father thinks there's no necessity for me +to have a chaperon in our little home town." + +"Not a chaperon, child, but you ought to have some one to guide and +teach you." + +"Dad doesn't think so. He says an American girl can take care of +herself." + +"Maybe so, maybe so. It might be a good thing for you to go to school +with Alicia." + +"It might be. But I like our High School at home, and we learn a lot +there." + +"But not the same kind of learning. Do they teach you manners and +general society instruction?" + +"No," said Bernice, smiling at thought of such things in connection +with the Berwick school. "But my father thinks those things come +naturally to girls of good families." + +"Maybe so, maybe so." And then Mr. Forbes again walked up and down the +long room, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. + +Dolly and Dotty felt a little uncomfortable. They wanted to make +themselves agreeable and entertaining, but their host seemed interested +exclusively in his young relatives, and they hesitated lest they +intrude. + +As it neared ten o'clock, Mr. Forbes paused in his pacing of the room, +bowed to each of the four in turn, and then saying, courteously, "I bid +you goodnight," he vanished into the hall. + +Immediately Mrs. Berry entered. It seemed a relief to see her kind, +smiling face after the uncertain phases of their eccentric host. + +"Now you young people must go to bed," the housekeeper said; "you're +tired,--or ought to be. Come along." + +Not at all unwillingly they followed her upstairs, and she looked after +their comfort in most solicitous fashion. + +After she had shown them how to ring the various bells to call the +maids or to call her, in emergency, and had drawn their attention to +the ice water in thermos bottles, and told them how to adjust the +ventilators, she bade them good-night and went away. + +The rooms had a communicating door, and this Alicia promptly threw open +and came through into the two D's room. + +"Oh, isn't it all the greatest fun! And did you EVER see anything so +crazy as Uncle Jeff? What he wants us here for, _I_ don't know! But +it's something,--and something especial. He never asked us here to +amuse him! Of that I'm certain." + +"Not much he didn't!" and Bernice followed Alicia, and perched on the +edge of Dolly's bed. "Isn't he queer? I didn't know he was so funny as +he is. Did you, Alicia?" + +"No; I haven't seen him since I was a tiny mite. But he's all right. He +knows what he's about and I don't wonder he doesn't want us bothering +around if he's busy." + +"I'd love to see his collection," said Dolly. "I'm awfully interested +in such things." + +"Oh, well, you'll probably have a chance to see it while we're here," +and Alicia began taking down her hair. "Now, girls, let's get to bed, +for I'm jolly well tired out. But I foresee these poky evenings right +along, don't you? We'll have to cram a lot of fun into our days, if the +evenings are to be spent watching an elderly gentleman stalking around +thus." And then Alicia gave a very good imitation of the way Mr. Forbes +walked around. She didn't ridicule him; she merely burlesqued his +manner as he paused to speak to them in his funny, abrupt way. + +"What are you, my dear?" she said, looking at Dolly. "Are you a +specimen I can use in my collection? No? Are you a fashionable +butterfly? I say, Bernice," she suddenly broke off, "why was he so +curious about the way we live at home, and who brings us up?" + +"I don't know; and anyway, he knew how long our mothers have been dead +and who takes care of us. Why did he ask those things over and over?" + +"I think he's a bit absent-minded. Half the time he was thinking of +matters far removed from this charming quartette of bewitching +beauties. Well, it's up to us to make our own good time. I move we +corral the big limousine for to-morrow morning and go in search of +adventure." + +"To the Metropolitan?" suggested Dolly. + +"Yes, if you like, though I'd rather go to the shops," and Alicia +gathered up her hairpins to depart. Her long light hair hung round her +shoulders, and she pushed it back as she affectionately kissed Dolly +and Dotty good-night. "You are sure two darlings!" she said +emphatically. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +GOING ABOUT + + +Four smiling, eager girls trooped down to breakfast the next morning, +and found Mrs. Berry awaiting them. She presided at the table, and they +learned that she would always do so at breakfast and luncheon, though +she did not dine with them. + +"Uncle Jeff says we may go to a matinee to-day," said Alicia, +delightedly. "Will you see about the tickets, Mrs. Berry? Uncle said +Mr. Fenn would get them if you asked him to." + +"Yes, my dear. And what are your plans for the morning? Do you want the +car?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Bernice. "We're going to the Museum and I don't +know where else." + +"To the Library, if we have time," suggested Dolly. "I want to see all +the places of interest." + +"Places of interest never interest me," declared Alicia. "I think +they're poky." + +"All right," returned Dolly, good-naturedly, "I'll go wherever you +like." + +"Now, don't be so ready to give in, Doll," cautioned Bernice. "You have +as much right to your way as Alicia has to hers." + +"No, I haven't," and Dolly smiled brightly; "this is the house of +Alicia's uncle, and not mine." + +"Well, he's my uncle, too, and what I say goes, as much as Alicia's +commands." + +"There, there, girls, don't quarrel," said Mrs. Berry, in her amiable +way. "Surely you can all be suited. There are two cars, you know, and +if you each want to go in a different direction, I'll call taxi-cabs +for you." + +Dolly and Dotty stared at this new lavishness, and Dotty said, quickly, +"Oh, no, don't do that! We all want to be together, wherever we go. And +I think, as Dolly does, that Bernice and Alicia must choose, for they +belong here and we're guests." + +"You're two mighty well-behaved little guests," and Mrs. Berry beamed +at them. "Well, settle it among yourselves. Now, what matinee do you +want to go to? I'll order tickets for you." + +"Will you go with us, Mrs. Berry?" asked Dolly. + +"No, child. I hope you'll let me off. You girls are old enough to go +alone in the daytime, and Kirke will take you and come to fetch you +home. Now, what play?" + +"I want to see 'The Lass and the Lascar'; that's a jolly thing, I +hear," said Alicia, as no one else suggested anything. + +"Musical?" asked Bernice. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Berry, "it's a comic opera, and a very good one. I've +seen it, and I'm sure you girls will enjoy it. I'll order seats for +that. Be sure to be home for luncheon promptly at one, so you can get +ready for the theatre." + +"I can't believe it all," whispered Dotty, pinching Dolly's arm, as +they ran upstairs to prepare for their morning's trip. "Think of our +going to all these places in one day!" + +"And six days more to come!" added Dolly. "Oh, it is too gorgeous!" + +Arrayed in warm coats and furs, the laughing quartette got into the big +car, and George, the polite footman, adjusted the robes, and asked +their destination. + +"To the Metropolitan Museum, first," said Alicia, unselfishly. + +"Oh," cried Dolly, with sparkling eyes, "are we really going there +first! How good of you, Alicia!" + +And from the moment they entered the vestibule of the great museum, +Dolly was enthralled with what she saw. Like one in a trance, she +walked from room to room, drinking in the beauty or strangeness of the +exhibits. She ignored the catalogues, merely gazing at the pictures or +curios with an absorbed attention that made her oblivious to all else. + +"Watch her," said Alicia, nudging Dotty. "She doesn't even know where +she is! Just now, she's back in Assyria with the people that wore that +old jewellery!" + +Sure enough Dolly was staring into a case of antique bracelets and +earrings of gold and jewels. She moved along the length of the case, +noting each piece, and fairly sighing with admiration and wonder. + +"My gracious! isn't she the antiquarian!" exclaimed Alicia. "Look here, +old Professor Wiseacre, what dynasty does this junk belong to?" + +Dolly looked up with a vacant stare. + +"Come back to earth!" cried Alicia, shaking with laughter. "Come back +to the twentieth century! We mourn our loss!" + +"Yes, come back, Dollums," said Dotty. "There are other rooms full of +stuff awaiting your approval." + +Dolly laughed. "Oh, you girls don't appreciate What you're seeing. Just +think! Women wore these very things! Real, live women!" + +"Well, they're not alive now," said Bernice, "and we are. So give us +the pleasure of your company. Say, Dolly, some day you come up here all +alone by yourself, and prowl around--" + +"Oh, I'd love to! I'll do just that. And then I won't feel that I'm +delaying you girls. Where do you want to go now?" + +"Anywhere out of this old museum," said Alicia, a little pettishly. +"You've had your way, Dotty, now it's only fair I should have mine. +We've about an hour left; let's go to the shops." + +"Yes, indeed," and Dolly spoke emphatically. "I didn't realise that I +was being a selfish old piggy-wig!" + +"And you're not," defended Bernice. "We all wanted to come here, but, +well, you see, Dolly, you do dawdle." + +"But it's such a wonder-place!" and Dolly gazed longingly backward as +they left the antiquities. "And there are rooms we haven't even looked +into yet." + +"Dozens of 'em," assented Alicia. "But not this morning, my +chickabiddy! I must flee to the busy marts and see what's doing in the +way of tempting bargains." + +"All right," and Dolly put her arm through Alicia's. "What are you +going to buy?" + +"Dunno, till I see something that strikes my fancy. But in the paper +this morning, I noticed a special sale of 'Pastime Toggery' at +Follansbee's. Let's go there." + +"Never heard of the place," said Dolly. "But let's go." + +"Never heard of Follansbee's! Why, it's the smartest shop in New York +for sport clothes." + +"Is it? We never get sport clothes. Unless you mean middies and +sweaters. My mother buys those at the department stores." + +"Oh, you can't get exclusive models there!" and Alicia's face wore a +reproving expression. + +"No," said outspoken Dolly, "but we don't wear exclusive models. We're +rather inclusive, I expect." + +"You're a duck!" cried Alicia, who, though ultra-fashionable herself, +liked the honesty and frankness of the two D's. + +They reached the shop in question, and the four girls went in. + +The Berwick girls were a little awed at the atmosphere of the place, +but Alicia was entirely mistress of the situation. She had many +costumes and accessories shown to her, and soon became as deeply +absorbed in their contemplation as Dolly had been in the Museum +exhibits. + +"Why, for goodness' sake!" cried Bernice, at last. "Are you going to +buy out the whole shop, Alicia?" + +"Why, I'm not going to buy any," returned Alicia, looking surprised; +"I'm just shopping, you know." + +"Oh, is that it? Well, let me tell you it isn't any particular fun for +us to look on while you 'shop'! And, anyway, it's time to be going +home, or we'll be late for the luncheon and for the matinee." + +"All right, I'll go now. But wait. I want to buy some little thing for +you girls,--sort of a souvenir, you know." + +"Good for you!" said Bernice, but Dolly demurred. + +"I don't think you ought to, Alicia," she said. "I don't believe my +mother would like me to take it." + +"Nonsense, Towhead! I'm just going to get trifles. Nobody could object +to my giving you a tiny token of my regard and esteem. Let me see,--how +about silk sweaters? They're always handy to have in the house." + +Unheeding the girls' protestations, Alicia selected four lovely +colours, and asked the saleswoman to get the right sizes. + +Dolly's was robin's egg blue; Dotty's salmon pink; Bernice's, a deep +orange, and Alicia's own was white, as she declared she already had +every colour of the rainbow. + +Then she selected an old rose one for Mrs. Berry, getting permission to +exchange it if it should be a misfit. + +Alicia ordered the sweaters sent to her uncle's house, and the bill +sent to her father. This arrangement seemed perfectly satisfactory to +the shop people, and the girls set off for home. + +"I feel uncomfortable about that sweater," announced Dolly, as they +were on their way. + +"That doesn't matter," laughed Alicia, "so long as you don't feel +uncomfortable in it! Remove that anxious scowl, my little Towhead; I +love to give things to my friends, and you must learn to accept trifles +gracefully." + +"But it isn't a trifle, Alicia. I know mother won't like it." + +"Won't like that blue sweater! Why, it's a beauty!" + +"I don't mean that. I mean she won't like for me to take it,--to accept +it from you." + +"All right; tell her you bought it yourself." + +"Tell a story about it! No, thank you." Dolly's blue eyes fairly +flashed at the thought. + +"Well, my stars! Dolly, don't make such a fuss about it! Throw it away, +or give it to the scullery maid! You don't have to keep it!" + +Clearly, Alicia was annoyed. Dolly was far from ungrateful, and she +didn't know quite what to do. + +"Of course, she'll keep it," Dotty broke in, anxious to straighten +matters out. "She adores it, Alicia; but we girls aren't accustomed to +making each other gifts,--at least, not expensive ones." + +"Well, you needn't make a habit of it. One sweater doesn't make a +summer! I hope Mrs. Berry won't be so squeamish! If I thought she +would, I'd throw hers in the ash barrel before I'd give it to her!" + +"I s'pose I was horrid about it, Alicia," said Dolly, contritely; "I do +love it, really, you know I do; but, as Dotty says, we never give such +gifts. Why, I can't give you anything to make up for it--" + +"And I don't want you to! You little goose! But like as not, you can +sometime do something for me worth more than a dozen sweaters." + +"I hope so, I'm sure. Will you tell me if I can?" + +"Yes, baby-face! I declare, Dolly, it's hard to realise you're fifteen +years old! You act about twelve,--and look ten!" + +"Oh, not so bad as that!" and Dolly laughed gaily. "I s'pose I do seem +younger than I am, because I've always lived in a small town. We don't +do things like city girls." + +"'Deed we don't!" exclaimed Dotty. "I used to live in the city, and +when I went to Berwick it was like a different world. But I've come to +like it now." + +"I like it," said Bernice, decidedly. "I think we have a lot more fun +in Berwick than we could in New York. To live, I mean. Of course, this +visit here is lovely, but it's the novelty and the strange sights that +make it so. I wouldn't want to live in New York." + +"Neither would I," and Dolly shook her head very positively. + +"I would," said Alicia. "I'd just love to live here, in a house like +Uncle Jeff's, and have all these cars and servants and everything fine." + +"No, thank you," Dolly rejoined. "It's beautiful for a week, but it +makes my head go round to think of living like this always." + +"Your head is not very securely fastened on, anyway," and Alicia +grinned at her. "You'll lose it some day!" + +"Maybe so," smiled Dolly, affably, and then they suddenly found they +were back home. + +"Good time, girlies?" called out Mrs. Berry, as they entered. "Lunch is +all ready; sit down and eat it, and get dressed for the matinee +afterward, Mr. Fenn got fine seats for you,--near the front. You'll +like the play, I know." + +And like the play they did. It was a light opera, of the prettiest +type, full of lovely scenery, gay costumes and bright, catchy music. +"The Lass and the Lascar" was its name, and the lass in question was a +charming little girl who seemed no older than the quartette themselves. +The Lascar was a tall, handsome man, whose swarthy East Indian effects +were picturesque and attractive. He had a magnificent baritone voice, +and the girls sat breathless when he sang his splendid numbers. All +four were fond of music and even more than the gay splendour of the +show they enjoyed the voices and orchestra. + +"Isn't he wonderful!" exclaimed Alicia, as the curtain fell on the +first act. "Oh, girls, isn't he SUPERB! I'm MADLY in love with him!" + +"He has a beautiful voice," agreed Dolly, "but I couldn't be in love +with him! He's too,--too ferocious!" + +"But that's his charm," declared Alicia, rolling her eyes in ecstasy. +"Oh, he is ideal! He's fascinating!" + +The curtain rose again, and the Lascar proved even more fascinating. He +was a daredevil type, as Lascars have the reputation of being, but he +was gentle and affectionate toward the Lass, who, for some inexplicable +reason, scorned his advances. + +"What a FOOL she is! WHAT a fool!" Alicia whispered, as the coquettish +heroine laughed at the impassioned love songs of her suitor. "I should +fall into his arms at once!" + +"Then there wouldn't be any more opera," laughed Bernice. "That fall +into his arms is always the last episode on the stage." + +"That's so," agreed Alicia, "but how can she flout him so? Oh, girls, +isn't he the grandest man? I never saw such a handsome chap! What a +lovely name he has, too: Bayne Coriell! A beautiful name." + +"Good gracious, Alicia! don't rave over him like that! Somebody will +hear you!" + +"I don't care. I never saw any one so wonderful! I'm going to get his +picture when we go out. I suppose it's for sale in the lobby. They +usually are." + +"Are they?" asked Dolly. "Then I want to get one of the Lass. Marie +Desmond, her name is. Can I, do you think?" + +"Yes, of course, Dollykins. You get that and I'll get my hero, my idol, +Bayne Coriell!" + +As it chanced the photographs were not on sale at the theatre, but an +usher told Alicia where they could be bought, and she directed Kirke to +stop there on the way home. + +She bought several different portraits of the man who had so infatuated +her and Dolly bought two photographs of Miss Desmond. The other girls +said they didn't care for any pictures, and laughed at the enthusiasm +of Alicia and Dolly. + +"I want this," Dolly defended herself, "because sometime I'm going to +be an opera singer. I did mean to sing in Grand Opera, and maybe I +will, but if I can't do that, I'll sing in light opera, and I like to +have this picture to remind me how sweet Miss Desmond looks in this +play." + +"Pooh," said Alicia, "that's all very well. But I want these pictures +of Bayne Coriell because he's such a glorious man! Why, he's as +handsome as Apollo. And, girls, I don't believe he's hardly any older +than we are." + +"Oh, he must be," returned Dotty. "Why, he's twenty-two or more, I'm +sure." + +"Maybe he is twenty, but not more than that. Oh, how I wish I could +meet him! Think of the joy of talking to a man like that!" + +"Well, it's not likely you'll ever meet Bayne Coriell," said Bernice, +laughing at the idea; "so you needn't hope for that!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A MATINEE IDOL + + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," Alicia cried, as they gathered round the dinner-table +that same night, "we went to the splendidest play! It was a light +opera, 'The Lass and the Lascar.' Have you seen it?" + +"No, my dear, I rarely go to the theatre; never to foolish pieces like +that! But it's all right for you young people. So you enjoyed it, did +you? How did you like--" + +But Alicia's babble interrupted him. "Oh, Uncle, it was simply out of +sight! And the hero! Ah-h-h!" + +Alicia leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as if the memory of +the hero was overwhelming. + +"Took your fancy, did he?" asked her uncle, with a twinkle in his eye. +"Good-looking chap?" + +"Good-looking faintly expresses it!" and Alicia returned to +consciousness. "He was like a Greek god! And his CHARM! Oh, Uncle Jeff, +he is just indescribable! I wish you could SEE him." + +"Must be a paragon! What did the rest of you girls think! Were you hit +so hard?" + +Dotty laughed. "He was splendid, Uncle Forbes," she said, "but we +didn't fall so head over heels in love with him as Alicia did. He has a +stunning voice and he's a fine actor." + +"Oh, more than that!" raved Alicia. "He's a DARLING! a man of a +THOUSAND!" + +"A young man?" asked Mr. Forbes. + +"Yes," replied Bernice. "Alicia thinks he isn't twenty, but he can't be +much more. He looked a mere boy." + +"Wasn't that because he was made up as a young character in the play?" + +"Partly," admitted Alicia. "But he's a very young man, anyway. Oh, +Uncle Jeff, I'm just CRAZY over him! I think I shall go to see that +play every chance I can possibly get. Could we go to an evening +performance?" + +"Speak for yourself, John!" cried Bernice. "I don't want to see that +play again! I enjoyed it heaps, and I think Mr. Coriell was fine, but +next time we go I'd rather see something else." + +"So would I," said the two D's together. + +"How can you say so!" and Alicia looked at the others in scorn. "You'll +never find any actor who can hold a candle to Coriell! I have his +picture, Uncle," and, excusing herself, she left the table to get them. + +"H'm, yes, a good-looking man," agreed Mr. Forbes, as he scrutinised +the photographs. "But, Alicia, you mustn't fall in love with every +operatic tenor you see. I believe this Coriell is a 'matinee idol,' but +don't allow him to engage your young affections." + +"Too late with your advice, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia gazed raptly at the +pictures. "I ADORE him! and the fact that my adoration is hopeless +makes it all the more interesting. Oh, isn't he a WONDER!" + +Gaily she set the pictures up in front of her, propping them on glasses +or salt cellars, and continued to make mock worship at his shrine. + +"Don't be silly, Alicia," commented her uncle, but she only shook her +head at him, and gave a mournful sigh. + +The girls spent the evening much the same as they had done the night +before. They all sat in the stately drawing-room, and endeavoured to +make conversation. But Uncle Jeff was hard to talk to, for he rarely +stuck to one subject for more than five minutes at a time, and abruptly +interrupted the girls when they were trying their best to be +entertaining. + +Alicia continued to chatter about her new-found enthusiasm, until her +uncle commanded her to desist. + +"May I beg of you, Alicia," he said, sternly, "to cease raving over +that man? He's doubtless old enough to be your father, and would be +bored to death could he hear your nonsense about him!" + +Alicia looked put out, but a glance at her uncle's face proved his +seriousness, and she said no more about the actor. + +The evening wore away, but it seemed to the girls as if it never would +be ten o'clock. And it was greatly to their relief, when, at about +half-past nine, Mr. Forbes bade them good-night and went off upstairs. + +"It is all the queerest performance," said Bernice. "What in the world +does Uncle Jeff want of us,--I can't make out. The outlook seems to be +that we can have all the fun we want daytimes, and pay for it by these +ghastly evening sessions." + +"There's something back of it all," said Alicia, astutely. "This +revered uncle of ours, Bernie, has something up his sleeve." + +"I think so, too," said Dotty. "He scrutinises us all so closely, when +he thinks we're not looking. But I, for one, am quite willing to put up +with these evenings for the sake of the fun we have in the daytime." + +"I should say so!" agreed Dolly. "We never can thank you enough, Bern, +for bringing us." + +"And I'm glad to have you here," said Mrs. Berry, entering the room. +"You're like a ray of sunshine in this dull house,--like four rays of +sunshine." + +"But WHY are we here?" insisted Alicia. "You must know why, Mrs. Berry. +Do tell us." + +"You're here, my dears, because Mr. Forbes invited you. There is no +other reason,--no other explanation. And now, tell me, did you like the +play?" + +"Did we LIKE it!" exclaimed the volatile Alicia, "we're just crazy over +it. Why, the chief actor--" + +"Now, 'Licia," protested Dolly, "if you're going to begin raving over +that man again!" + +"Well, I am!" declared Alicia. "I just can't help it!" + +Nor did she seem able to curb her enthusiasm, for after the girls went +to their rooms, she kept on extolling Mr. Coriell until the others were +tired of the subject. + +And even when the D's were nearly ready for bed, and, in kimonos, were +brushing their hair, Alicia burst into their room, exclaiming, "I've +the grandest plan! I'm going to invite Mr. Coriell to come here and +call on me!" + +"Alicia Steele!" Dotty cried, "you're not going to do any such thing!" + +"Yes, I am. Uncle Jeff said we could invite anybody we wanted +to,--that's permission enough for me." + +"But he didn't mean some one you don't know at all,--and an actor at +that!" + +"I don't care. He didn't make any exceptions, and I'm going to do it. +I'm going to write the note." + +She went back to her own room, and sat down at the pretty little +escritoire that was there. + +"How shall I address him?" she asked, but more of herself than the +others. + +"Not at all!" said Dolly, and she took the pen from Alicia's fingers. +"You must be crazy to think of such a thing!" + +"Don't do it, Alicia," begged Dotty; "tell her not to, Bernice." + +"I don't care what she does," and Bernice laughed. "It's none of my +affair. I think it would be rather good fun, only I know he wouldn't +come." + +"I think he would," said Alicia. "Anyway, I'm going to tell him how I +adored his acting and his singing, and I guess he'll be glad to come to +call at Jefferson Forbes' house! I think I'll ask him to afternoon tea. +Why, it isn't such a terrible thing, as you seem to think, Dolly. +Anybody has a right to write to an actor,--they expect it. He probably +gets hundreds of notes every day." + +"Then he won't notice yours. He can't possibly accept a hundred +invitations." + +"Oh, they don't all invite him. Any way, I'm going to write." + +Alicia found another pen, and soon produced this effusion: + +"My dear Mr. Coriell. + +"I'm just simply crazy over your performance in 'The Lass and the +Lascar' and I feel that I MUST meet you. I shall DIE if I don't! +Please, oh, PLEASE give me an opportunity. Will you come to see me at +my uncle's house, Mr. Jefferson Forbes? Can you come to-morrow or +Friday? I can't EXIST if you say No! So grant the plea of + +"Your devoted admirer, + +"ALICIA STEELE." + +"It's perfectly horrid!" and Dolly's fair face grew flushed with anger. +"You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Alicia." + +"Now, look here, Dolly Fayre," and Alicia's eyes flashed, "I won't be +dictated to by a little country ignoramus! I've had experience in the +ways of the world, and you haven't. Now suppose you let me alone. It's +none of your business, as you very well know." + +"Dolly was only advising you for your own good!" Dotty flashed out, +indignant at the rebuff to her chum; "but, truly, Doll, it isn't up to +you to tell Alicia what to do. This is her uncle's house, not yours, +and you're in no way responsible for her doings." + +"I know it," and Dolly looked serious, "but I know, too, Alicia will be +sorry and ashamed if she sends that silly letter!" + +"Let her be, then," counselled Bernice. "If Uncle Jeff doesn't like it, +that's Alicia's affair, not ours. Leave her alone, Dolly." + +But Dolly made one more effort. + +"Listen, Alicia," she said, pleadingly; "at least, ask Mrs. Berry's +advice. She's awfully indulgent, you know, and if she says all +right,--then go ahead." + +Alicia looked at Dolly. To tell the truth, she had misgivings herself +about the plan, but she was too proud to be advised. + +"I'll tell you what," she decided, at last; "you said, only to-day, +Dolly, that you'd be glad to do something for me. Now, prove that you +meant it. You go and ask Mrs. Berry if we can do this. She's awfully +fond of you, and she'd say yes to you quicker'n she would to me. So, if +you're so anxious for her consent, go and ask her. She's in her +room,--I just heard her go in." + +"But, Alicia," and Dolly looked dismayed, "_I_ don't want to do this +thing! Why should I ask Mrs. Berry for what YOU want?" + +"Because you said you'd be glad to do me a favour. I knew you didn't +mean it! I knew you'd fizzle out when the time came!" + +"She hasn't fizzled out!" exclaimed Dotty. "Doll never breaks a +promise. But, say, Alicia, I'll go and ask Mrs. Berry. How's that?" + +"No, Dolly's got to go, if any one does. She said she'd love to do me a +favour, now let her do it." + +It was evidently a test case with Alicia, and one glance at her +determined face convinced Dolly, that she would never be forgiven if +she failed to do this thing. + +"All right," she said, slowly, "I'll go and ask Mrs. Berry. But I shall +tell her it's for you, Alicia. I shan't let her think I want to ask +that man here!" + +"Hold on, Dolly. Don't you think it would be nice if he should come, +with Mrs. Berry's permission?" + +"Yes, I think that would be lots of fun; but she won't give permission, +Alicia. I know that as well as I know my own name!" + +"Of course, she won't, if you go about it that way! I depend on you to +coax her or get around her some way to MAKE her say yes. See? Don't +think that you can go in there and say 'May we?' and have her say 'No,' +and let that end it! I tell you you've got to get her consent. You've +got to do this for me, because you said you'd do whatever I asked you." + +"Oh, Alicia!" and Dotty shook her head vigorously, "Doll never said +THAT!" + +"Well, she meant that. And what's the use of her doing anything I can +do for myself? But you all know she's Mrs. Berry's pet of the four of +us--" + +"No, I'm not," and Dolly looked deeply troubled. + +"Yes, you are, and it's just because you're so mild and meek. Now, will +you go and ask her? You'll have to be quick or she'll have gone to bed." + +"Yes, I'll go," and Dolly showed sudden determination. + +"And will you promise to do all you can to make her say yes--" + +"I'll do that, Alicia, but I can't promise to make her say yes." + +"You can if you coax her. And don't let her think it's all for my +benefit. Because it isn't. You girls will have just as much fun as I +will, if he comes." + +Dolly twisted up her golden curls in a loose knot, and still in her +trailing dressing-gown, she went down the hall to Mrs. Berry's room and +tapped gently at the door. + +It was opened at once, and Dolly was glad to see Mrs. Berry had not yet +begun her preparations for the night, so she was not disturbing her. + +"What is it, dearie?" asked the kind-hearted lady; "come in. Sit down." + +Dolly sat down in a little rocker, and was suddenly seized with a fit +of shyness. The request she had come to make seemed so impossible, that +she couldn't put it into words. Mrs. Berry saw her embarrassment, and +kindly strove to put her at ease. + +"How do you like my room?" she said, cordially; "you've never been in +here before." + +"It's lovely," said Dolly, looking about at the pretty furnishings; +"it's in a sort of back extension, isn't it?" + +"Yes, this a narrower part of the house, and gives me an outlook on our +tiny yard as well as on the side street. It's a very satisfactory room, +except for my neighbour," and she laughed. + +"Who is the unsatisfactory neighbour?" asked Dolly, smiling in response. + +"Not the people next door, they're quiet enough; but they have a +parrot, and he's in the room just across from this, and he chatters so +often that it is sometimes very annoying. Look over, you can see him +now." + +Sure enough, as Dolly looked from the window, she saw a big Polly in a +cage at the opposite casement. Only thin lace curtains were between, +and Dolly could clearly see the beautiful bird. + +"It's a lovely parrot," she said, "but I suppose his chatter is just as +bothersome as if he were a homelier bird. Well, Mrs. Berry," and she +turned from the window, "I've come to ask you something." + +"And something that you hesitate to ask,--I can see that. But don't be +afraid, dear. Tell me what it is, and if I have to refuse you, at least +I won't do it harshly." + +"I know you won't!" and Dolly felt ashamed of her fears. "Well, it's +just this. Alicia,--that is, we're all of us just crazy over the hero +in the play we saw this afternoon, and we--that is, we think it would +be nice if we could--if we could ask him to--to call here, on us." + +The dreaded speech was made, and though Mrs. Berry looked surprised, +she didn't exclaim in horror at the idea. + +"Whose plan is this?" she asked, quietly. + +"Why,--well,--we all want it." + +"Yes, but who first thought of it?" + +"Alicia spoke of it, and--the others agreed,--we all agreed,--that it +would be lots of fun,--if you approved of it." Now Mrs. Berry could see +a hole through a millstone, and she knew as well as if she had been +told, that the others had planned this thing,--probably Alicia or +Bernice,--and had made Dolly their spokesman, because of her +good-natured acquiescence. + +"What do YOU think of the idea?" she said smiling. + +"At first it seemed to me a very forward thing to do," Dolly replied, +looking very sober; "but if you think it's all right, I'd like to meet +Mr. Coriell. You see, I'm going to be an opera singer myself, some day, +and there are a few questions I'd like to ask him." + +Mrs. Berry gasped. "You do beat the dickens!" she exclaimed. "So you're +going on the stage, are you?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"Then of course you ought to meet an actor. Tell Alicia to go ahead and +ask this man. Tell her to invite him to tea on Friday. I'll arrange a +pretty tea-party for you." + +"Oh, I'll tell her! She'll be SO glad!" and Dolly departed, quite +unconscious that she had unwittingly betrayed Alicia's principal part +in the scheme. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +GREAT PREPARATIONS + + +Demurely Dolly went back to her room. The other girls were breathlessly +awaiting her return, and pounced on her for the news. + +"At least you got back alive!" cried Dotty as she grabbed Dolly by the +arms and danced her up and down the room. + +"But what did she say?" demanded Alicia, in fiery impatience. + +"Don't you wish you knew!" and Dolly fell into a teasing mood, and when +Dolly Fayre felt like teasing, she was adept at it! + +"Tell us! Tell us!" cried Bernice. "Oh, Dolly, tell us!" + +"Tell you what?" asked Dolly, with an innocent stare. + +"Tell us what Mrs. Berry said." + +"Oh, she asked me how I liked her room, and she showed me the parrot +next door. It's a beautiful bird--" + +"Never mind a bird! What did she say about Mr. Coriell?" + +"Why, we talked about the parrot first. You see, his cage hangs in a +window right across from hers, not ten feet away--" + +"Nonsense!" cried Alicia, "who cares about the parrot! Tell us about my +hero!" + +"She says he has a dreadful voice, and squawks like fury--" + +"Oh, he HASN'T! He's a wonderful singer!" + +"I mean the parrot," said Dolly, mischievously enjoying Alicia's +disgusted look. "And she says we can ask him to tea." + +"Who? the parrot?" This from Dotty. + +"No, you silly! Mr. Coriell. But, of course, if you'd rather have the +parrot--" + +"Oh, Dolly, do be sensible!" and Bernice looked exasperated; "are you +going to tell us all about it or not?" + +"Not if you're so rude to me! Certainly not! You are dismissed, you +two. Dot and I are going to bed." + +"Not much you're not!" declared Alicia. "Not till you tell us what Mrs. +Berry said." + +"Then you must ask me with due politeness and proper courtesy. I can't +report to a lot of cackling geese! You're worse than parrots!" + +"Please, dear, sweet Dollyrinda, what DID the lady say?" begged Dotty, +in wheedling tones. + +"Ah, yes, tell us," and Alicia took the cue. "Angel child! Beautiful +blonde Towhead! what,--oh, vouchsafe to deign to tell us, WHAT did she +say?" + +"Whoop it up, Dollums," said Bernice, laughing, "out with it, you +little rascal. Did she hold up her hands in horror?" + +"She did NOT," said Dolly, with dignity. "She said, that if Alicia +chose, she might invite the gentleman to tea on Friday, and that she +would see to it that there was a nice tea-party prepared for his +benefit. There, WHO'S a good ambassador?" + +"You are! you blessed angel!" cried Alicia, warmly; "you're a wonder! a +marvel! a peach! a pippin! Oh, you're just all there is of it! Did she +REALLY say that?" + +"Oh, you want to know what she REALLY said," and Dolly's head went on +one side, as she began to tease again. + +"Of course, that's what she really said," interposed Dotty, who didn't +want any more high words. "'Licia, be satisfied with that, and scoot to +bed." + +"Nothing of the sort. We're going to make fudge to celebrate! I told +you I had my chafing-dish; don't you girls feel fudgy?" + +"I could nibble a morsel," Bernice said, "and not half try. How about +you, Dot?" + +"I'm right there--with bells on!" + +"Isn't it too late?" objected Dolly. + +"Now, look here, priggy-wig," and Alicia shook a finger at her, "if you +don't quit that spoilsporting of yours, there'll be trouble in camp! +The truth is, there's not much fun in making fudge, just 'cause there's +nobody to forbid it! At school, we have to do it on the sly. Here, if +Mrs. Berry or Uncle Jeff knew we thought of it, they'd send forty +'leven footmen and maids to help us!" "That's so," laughed Dolly; "I +wasn't thinking of them. But isn't it time we all went to bed?" + +"Of course it is, young hayseed. That's why we're staying up. Also, it +makes you so delightfully sleepy next morning! Now, do you come to this +fudge party or do you go to bed?" + +"Do I come to it!" cried Dolly, in disdain. "Well, I like that! Why, +your old fudge party is FOR me! I'm the heroine of the hour! Who went +on your desperate and dangerous errand, I'd like to know! Who got +permission to invite your old Coriell man to tea? Come, now, declare +the fudge party a feast in my honour, or call it off!" + +"It is! it is!" laughed Alicia. "To the victor belong the spoils. The +party is ALL for you, and if you will accept our humble invitation come +right into our room and make yourself at home." + +So the two D's went into the other girls' room, and Alicia got out her +chafing-dish set and prepared for the feast. + +"How are you going to make fudge with nothing but chocolate?" laughed +Dotty. + +"That's so," said Alicia, looking blank. "I forgot I had to have milk +and butter and sugar and a lot of things. Guess we can't do it." + +"Guess we can!" retorted Bernice, and she pushed a bell button. + +"Oh, Bernie!" exclaimed Dotty, "you oughtn't to call the maid so late! +She'll be in bed." + +"Then she won't answer," said Bernice, calmly. + +But in a moment a maid did come, and smilingly listened to their +requests. + +"Some milk, please," said Alicia, "and sugar, and butter,--" + +"All the things for fudge, miss?" asked the girl, her eyes taking in +the chafing-dish. "Certainly. In a moment." + +She disappeared and the girls burst into peals of laughter. + +"It's impossible to do anything frisky here," said Alicia, "because +everything we want to do, is looked on as all right!" + +"Well, it isn't a dreadful thing to make fudge of an evening," put in +Bernice. + +"No," agreed Dolly, "but I wouldn't think of doing it at my house. +After I'd gone to my room for the night, I mean." + +"It's a funny thing," said Alicia, "but all the fun of it's gone now. I +don't care two cents for the fudge, it's the excitement of doing it +secretly, that appeals to me. We do it at school, and we have to be so +fearfully careful lest the teachers hear us." + +"I know what you mean," said Dolly, "but I don't believe I feel that +way. I love fudge, but I'd a whole lot rather have people know we're +making it than to do it on the sly." + +"You're a little puritan," and Alicia flew over and kissed her. "No +wonder Mrs. Berry said yes to you, you probably made her think it was a +duty to humanity!" + +When the maid returned with the trayful of things they had asked for, +there was also a goodly plate of frosted cakes and a dish of fruit. + +"In case you might feel hungry," she explained. "Mrs. Berry was saying +the other day, how hungry young folks do be gettin'. Shall I return for +the tray, miss?" + +"No," said Dolly, kindly. "You go to bed. We'll set the things out in +the hall, when we're finished, and you can take them away in the +morning." + +"Thank you, miss," and the maid went away, leaving the girls to their +spread. + +"I'm not going to make fudge," said Alicia, "there's enough here to +eat, without it." + +"I'll do it, then," said Dolly. "I'm not going to make all this trouble +and then not seem to appreciate it." + +She began to cut the chocolate, and Dotty helped her. + +Alicia made the chafing-dish ready, and Bernice set out a table for +them. + +"This is splendid fudge," Alicia remarked, as at last they sat enjoying +the feast. "You must give me your recipe." + +"Probably just like yours," smiled Dolly; "but it always tastes better +if somebody else makes it." + +"Not always! It depends on WHO makes it. This is fine!" + +"Even if we are not doing it on the sly? I declare, Alicia, I can't +understand that feeling of yours. I s'pose you don't care so much about +Mr. Coriell, since Mrs. Berry is willing." + +"It does take the snap out of it," Alicia admitted. "But I couldn't do +that on the sly, anyway. I mean if I had him HERE. I wish I could meet +him somewhere else,--at some tearoom, or somewhere." + +"Oh, Alicia, I think you're horrid! Nice girls don't do things like +that!" Dolly's big blue eyes expressed such amazement that Alicia +laughed outright. + +"You little innocent!" she cried. + +"I'd rather be innocent than ill-bred," Dolly flashed back. + +"Well, wait till you go to boarding-school and you'll get some of those +strait-laced notions knocked out of you." + +"I don't ever expect to go. I wouldn't like to leave home. And that +reminds me, girls, I must skip. I've got to write up my diary before I +go to bed. You do my share of the clearing up, won't you, Dot?" + +"'Course I will," and Dolly ran off to the other room while the three +cleared away the party and set the tray out in the hall. + +"Is Dolly always so goody-goody?" asked Alicia. + +Dotty took the question seriously. "I shouldn't call her that," she +said; "but she isn't very mischievous, and she's as honest as the day +is long. She positively abhors deceit. And, somehow, Alicia, all the +things that you think are fun, are the sort of things she doesn't stand +for. That's all. Doll isn't a prig,--is she, Bernice?" + +"No; she's as fond of fun as anybody. But Alicia rubs her the wrong +way." + +"I don't mean to. Only I don't see any harm in pranks that SHE thinks +are fearful." + +"Well, you ought to bless her for getting the Coriell matter fixed up. +I don't believe Mrs. Berry would have done it for any of us. But when +Dolly asked her, I s'pose she made it seem all right." + +"It IS all right," defended Alicia. + +"Oh, I don't know," and Bernice looked doubtful, "I don't think the +Fayres or Roses would like it much; I doubt if my dad would approve. +But what Mrs. Berry says, goes." "It does SO!" assented Alicia, and +then they all said good-night. + +Alicia's letter was mailed next morning and to her surprise a reply +arrived about noon, brought by a messenger. It said: + +My dear Miss Steele: + +Your welcome invitation is here. I cannot accept for to-morrow as I +have an important engagement then, but I will do myself the pleasure of +calling upon you TO-DAY at four o'clock, and trust I may find you at +home. + + Sincerely yours, + BAYNE CORIELL. + +"Oh, isn't it wonderful!" sighed Alicia. "A letter from HIM! Oh, girls, +I'm so happy! How CAN I wait for four o'clock!" + +She ran away to tell Mrs. Berry of the letter. + +"Very well," said the kind-hearted woman, "it's just as well to have +him come to-day. Suppose we have tea in the small reception room, it's +cosier than the drawing-room." + +"All right," said Alicia. "Will Uncle Jeff come down, do you think?" + +"I doubt it. However, I'll tell him you expect Mr. Coriell, and he can +do as he likes." Mrs. Berry had a peculiar twinkle in her eye, and +Alicia noted it, and wondered what it meant. The whole affair seemed +mysterious, for she had not supposed Mrs. Berry would be so ready to +receive this strange young man. + +"You think it's all right for us to receive him, don't you, Mrs. +Berry?" she asked, for she began to fear lest she had been too +unconventional. + +"I daresay it's all right, my dear. Of course, such things weren't done +in my day, but young folks are different now. And Mr. Forbes said you +girls were to do pretty much as you like." + +"Were you surprised at our asking for this?" Alicia persisted. + +"Well, yes, since you ask me, I must say I was surprised. Especially +when I found Dolly Fayre was the ringleader." + +"Oh,--well,--she DID ask you, didn't she? Maybe Dolly isn't such a +quiet little mouse as she seems." + +"Dolly's all right," and Mrs. Berry spoke with some asperity. "Now, +I'll send tea in at quarter past four, is that your idea?" + +"Oh, Mrs. Berry, won't you be present?" + +"No; I have my duties, and I observe them properly, but to preside at +tea is not one of them. Your uncle expressly ordered that." + +"Do you mean Uncle Jeff ordered that we should receive Mr. Coriell +alone?" + +"Well, he didn't direct that _I_ should be there. If he wants to come +down, he will." + +"Very well," and Alicia suddenly became dignified, "we can manage. I +suppose it will be proper to dress up a good deal?" + +Again that amused smile flitted over Mrs. Berry's face. + +"As you like," she said, indifferently. "All your frocks are pretty." + +Alicia returned to the others, and told them all the conversation. + +"I hope Uncle Forbes does come down," said Dolly, "I think it would be +nicer to have him there." + +"Come, now, old mother Prim, don't throw cold water on our little +party," said Alicia. "You know how the conversation would run, with +uncle at the helm!" + +"It wouldn't run at all," laughed Bernice, "it would stagnate!" + +When the girls began to dress for the tea, there was a wide diversity +of opinion as to appropriate costumes. + +"Our very best," said Alicia decidedly. "Nothing's too good for Bayne!" + +"You'd better be careful," warned Dotty, "you'll call him Bayne to his +face! You use it so much!" + +"Don't care if I do!" returned Alicia, pertly. "I say, Doll, is THAT +your best frock?" + +"Yes, except an evening one." + +"Let's see your evening one. I'll bet it's just about right for this +afternoon." + +Dolly produced a pretty light blue affair of chiffon, and Alicia +exclaimed, "Wear that, of course. It's really no evening dress at all, +but it's a very nice afternoon thing." + +Dolly looked dubious. "What are you going to wear, Dots?" she said. + +"Oh, I s'pose we might as well wear our best ones. As Alicia says, +they're all right for afternoon here, though they wouldn't be in +Berwick." + +"All right," and Dolly put on her pretty fluffy dress. Very lovely she +looked, her golden curls twisted up high on her head, and held by a +bandeau of blue ribbon. + +Dotty's dress was yellow, and very becoming. She wore a black velvet +headband, and Alicia cried out in approval when she saw the two D's +ready for inspection. + +"My!" she said, "you look better than I do! Now, I am mad!" + +But her rage was only simulated, and she didn't really think what she +said. + +She herself wore a most elaborate embroidered dress of rich pink silk. +It was trimmed, too, with pearl bead fringe, and to Dolly's simple +taste it was too fussy. But Dotty admired it, and Bernice thought it +wonderful. + +"It IS a good thing," said Alicia, carelessly. "It's imported. I've +never had it on before." + +Bernice had a lovely dress of white tulle, with white satin +ribbons;--lovely, that is, for evening, but too dressy for daytime. +However, as the winter dusk fell early, the lights were on, and it +seemed almost like evening. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CALLER + + +The four girls, in the reception room, waited the coming of their +guest. To their surprise, Mr. Forbes came in, and looked them over with +a chuckle. + +"Well, you ARE ready for the fray, aren't you?" he said, taking in +their dressy finery and their important, self-conscious airs. + +"Yes, Uncle Jeff," responded Alicia; "will you stay and see our young +man?" + +For some unexplained reason, Uncle Jeff laughed heartily. But he +checked his merriment, and said, "No, Alicia, I fear I might intrude; I +know you want to flirt with this young actor, and I'd be a spoilsport. +But let me warn you to be very gentle with him. You see, he may be so +overcome by this galaxy of youth and beauty that he'll be embarrassed +and run away!" + +"Nonsense, uncle," said Bernice, "actors are not easily embarrassed. +More likely we girls will be struck dumb at his splendour and +importance." + +"Well, tell me all about it afterward," and still chuckling, Mr. Forbes +went off. + +"What ails Uncle?" said Alicia, pettishly. "Anybody'd think he had a +joke on us." + +"No," Dotty rejoined, "only he's sort of old, you know, and he doesn't +see the fun in this, as we do." + +"Well, I wish the fun would hurry up! It's after four now." + +"Such people are never on time," said Alicia, with a great air of +experience. "He's sure to be late. Oh, there's the bell now!" + +The girls, with hearts beating high, grouped themselves in a +picturesque pose, which they had practised beforehand, and breathlessly +watched the doorway. + +Through it came, in a moment, a jolly-faced man, with an informal +manner and pleasant smile. + +"Hullo, girlies," he said, "what's up? Expecting a party? Well, I won't +keep you a minute. Where's Mr. Forbes?" + +"Why, you're the party, Mr. Coriell," said Alicia, stepping forward to +greet him, and looking very coquettish as she smiled up into his face. + +"Oh, am I! all right, have it your own way, kiddies. But I can't give +you more than ten minutes of my valuable time. What do you want? +Autographs? Or tickets for a box? Speak up, now." + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed Bernice, for Alicia was speechless with +disappointment at this prosaic attitude on the part of the visitor. "We +just want to--to talk to you." + +"You see," said Dolly, frankly, "we thought you'd be--different." + +"Oh, of course you did! They always do! You wanted to see the Lascar, +not plain James Brown!" + +"What!" cried Alicia, hope rising in her breast that this was not the +great actor after all, "aren't you Bayne Coriell?" + +"Sure! That's my stage name, but in private life I'm James Brown, at +your service." + +"You don't even look like the Lascar!" wailed Dotty, dismayed at the +turn things had taken. + +"Of course, I don't, little one. Actors on and off, are two different +persons. Oh, I begin to see through this performance. Your uncle didn't +tell you anything about me! Eh?" + +"No, sir," said Dolly, as the others were silent. "We saw you in your +play, and we admired your work so much, that we--we--" + +"Oh, the matinee idol business! Well, well! I didn't expect that. Why, +kiddies, outside the theatre, I'm just a plain United States citizen. I +have a daughter about the age of you girls. My Muriel is fourteen, +nearly fifteen, but she's taller than any of you. Your uncle is a great +friend of mine. He was my father's chum, and he has been more than kind +to me all my life. I supposed he knew all about the letter from Miss +Alicia, and ran around here expecting to see you and him both." + +"That's why he chuckled at us!" and Dolly's eyes twinkled at the joke. +Somehow, she seemed more at ease with the actor than the other girls. +"You see, Mr. Brown, we thought you'd be more like you are on the +stage. Of course we didn't expect you'd be dressed like the Lascar, +or--or--made up,--isn't that what you call it? but we thought you'd be +stagy and actory--" + +James Brown laughed. "Everybody thinks that, or something like it," he +said. "Few people realise that an actor's profession is MERELY a +profession,--a business; and that we discard it out of business hours." + +"But don't you get lots of notes from--from your audiences?" asked +Dotty. + +"Indeed I do. My wife looks after 'em, and most of 'em go into the +trash basket. But of course a note from Jefferson Forbes' home was +welcome, and I was glad to call on his nieces. Are you all his nieces?" + +"No," said Alicia, who had recovered her poise, and she introduced the +other girls by name. "I wrote the note, because I thought you were--" + +"Because you thought I was a gay young sport," laughed James Brown; +"well, I'm sorry, for your sake, that I'm merely an uninteresting, +middle-aged man, but, I doubt if your uncle would have let you send +that note, if I had been a stranger to him. Take my advice, girls, for +I know what I'm talking about, never write to an actor with whom you +are not acquainted. It can never lead to any good result and might lead +to great harm." + +"Are they all bad?" asked Dolly, innocently. + +"No, indeed, far from it. But many of them are thoughtless; and, too, +if a girl so far forgets the conventions as to write to a stranger, an +actor often thinks he is justified in meeting her half way. And nice +girls don't write to men they don't know. The fact that a man is an +actor, is no more reason to treat him informally than if he were a +broker or a merchant. It is the glamour of the stage that blinds you to +the proprieties. That's only natural, I know, and that's why I'm +presuming to give you this little talk for your own good. If ever you +feel moved to make advances to a matinee idol,--don't do it!" + +Alicia looked decidedly chagrined and a little angry, but Mr. Brown +proceeded to talk of other matters, and though it was plain to be seen +he meant the advice he had given them, all unpleasant effect was +forgotten as he began to tell them some funny anecdotes. + +And then tea was brought in, and they all grouped round the teatable, +still listening to his entertaining chat. + +The actor was a good-looking man, but far from being as handsome as he +appeared on the stage. His fascination and charm were evidently as much +put on as his swarthy complexion and long black hair, which so became +him as an East Indian. Really, his hair was ash-coloured, and he was +rather bald. + +"I expect to go on the stage," observed Dolly, as they ate the cakes +and bon-bons that accompanied the elaborate tea service. + +"You do!" exclaimed the guest. "Why?" + +"Because I feel I have talent for it. Not so much as an actress, +perhaps, but as a singer. What shall I do first, Mr. Brown, to prepare +for the light opera stage?" + +James Brown looked at her kindly. "I see you are in earnest," he said, +in a serious tone, "and so, I will treat your question practically. The +first thing to do, is to finish your education, and then start on a +course of voice training. By the time you have done these things, come +to me again, and I will advise you further. Do you think me flippant?" +he continued, as Dolly looked decidedly disappointed. "I am telling you +just the line to follow that I expect my own daughter to pursue. Muriel +has promise of a good singing voice. I assume you have that hope also, +otherwise you wouldn't think of a stage career. Tell your parents what +I have told you, and if they care to consult me on the subject I shall +be more than glad to meet them." + +"Good gracious! What a come down!" cried Dotty. "We thought of course +Doll could start in in the chorus at most any time, and work up." + +"That has been done successfully," and Mr. Brown smiled, "about one +time in ten thousand. My plan is surer and better in every way." + +"Is that the way Miss Marie Desmond learned?" asked Dolly, wistfully. + +"Yes, my child. Miss Desmond worked long and faithfully before she +attained her present position. If you'd care to meet her and have a +little talk with her, I can arrange it. Suppose you all come to my +house some afternoon, and Muriel will make a little party for you, and +I'm sure I can persuade Miss Desmond to meet you for a few minutes at +least. She is not a lady easy of access, I can tell you, but she will +meet friends of mine." + +"Well, well, Jim, hobnobbing with young people, are you?" sang out a +hearty voice from the hall, and Uncle Jeff came stalking into the room. +"Glad to see you, my boy. You seem to be getting on famously." + +"Yes, indeed. Your nieces and their friends are the most charming bunch +of young people I've seen in a long time. We're discussing all sorts of +matters of interest. Join us in a cup of tea, won't you?" + +"That's what I'm here for," and Uncle Jeff took a seat among the group. +"Yes, thank you, Alicia, fix me up a cup. Sugar, please, but no lemon. +How's your wife, Jim? Muriel all right?" + +"Yes, thank you. I'm just asking these girls to come round, say +to-morrow, for a little party. Or would you rather have a box party at +the theatre?" + +The girls decided in favour of the afternoon party at Mr. Brown's home, +and the matter was settled. And then, somehow, the two men fell into +conversation, which in no way interested the girls, being about +political matters and business affairs. Indeed, their very presence +seemed to be forgotten by the gentlemen. Absent-mindedly Uncle Jeff +accepted a second cup of tea, and then a third, still arguing a point +of finance with his guest. + +Alicia, in high dudgeon, made a motion to the others that they leave +the room, and Dolly nodded assent. + +So, noiselessly, the four rose from their seats, and stole out into the +hall. Mr. Brown looked up, saw them go, and waved his hand with a smile +of farewell, but Uncle Jeff paid no attention, if indeed, he noticed +their departure. + +"Well! of all things!" exclaimed Alicia, as they sought refuge in the +library, which was in the rear of the house. "I call that positively +insulting!" + +"Now, 'Licia," and Dotty laughed, "you know the man said he could only +give us ten minutes of his time, and he gave us more than a half hour. +I don't think we've any reason to complain." + +"Well, I do! It was a perfect fizzle, the whole thing! I'm utterly +disgusted! Matinee idol! Pooh, he's just an every-day man!" + +"Well, that's just what he said he was," rejoined Bernice, who was +almost as much disappointed as Alicia. "But he was very kind and +pleasant, I think." + +"Oh, kind enough," and Alicia still pouted; "but I thought he would be +young and--and sporty, you know." + +"He certainly isn't sporty! whatever he is," said Dolly. "I think he's +awfully nice. I'm glad we're going to his daughter's party. It's fine +to go to a place like that." + +"She's just a little girl," complained Alicia. "Fourteen years old! I +don't want to go to an infant class!" + +"All right," put in Bernice, "you can stay home, then. I'm delighted to +go. To think of telling the girls at home that we went to Bayne +Coriell's daughter's party! My, won't they think we're grand!" + +"That's so," agreed Alicia. "Not everybody could get such an +invitation. We couldn't, only that he's Uncle Jeff's friend. But I can +tell you, girls, if I hadn't got up this whole scheme we wouldn't have +been asked there. You can thank me for it." + +"Dolly, too," said Dotty. "If she hadn't asked Mrs. Berry, he wouldn't +have come at all." + +"Yes, he would; why wouldn't he?" + +"Oh, pshaw! It was all made up by Uncle Jeff. You could see that. Mrs. +Berry told him, and he let us go ahead, just to have a joke on us. Mr. +Brown came mostly to see Mr. Forbes,--not us." + +"You're right, you little smarty-cat," and Alicia smiled at the astute +Dotty. "And I do believe Uncle Jeff meant to give us a lesson about +writing to actors. I thought it was queer he took it so easily,--and +Mrs. Berry too. They played right into our hands. They wouldn't have +done that if the actor person had been a stranger." + +"Of course they wouldn't," and Dotty wagged her head. "I felt sure +there was some reason why Mrs. Berry said yes to Doll so easily. But I +didn't think Coriell Bayne, or whatever his name is, was old enough to +be Uncle Forbes' chum." + +"He isn't exactly," said Dolly; "that is, he said his father and Mr. +Forbes were friends. I suppose the son carried on the friendship." + +"He looks as old as my father,--off the stage," said Bernice; "but on +it, he might be my father's son!" + +"You can't tell a thing about actors!" declared Alicia. "If ever I +think another one is handsome and fascinating, I'll remember James +Bayne, and know he's nothing but an old fogy!" + +"Oh, I don't call Mr. Brown an old fogy," defended Dotty. "I think he's +interesting and pleasant; just about like my father, or yours, Doll." + +"He's not a bit like our fathers, though he doesn't look much younger. +Anyway, I'm glad I've met him, but he did give me a setback about my +career." + +"Is that a real stunt, Dolly?" and Alicia looked at her curiously. "Do +you really want to go on the stage? It doesn't seem like you." + +"Yes, I do, or at least, I did, until Mr. Brown said what he did. I +don't know as I want to devote my whole life to getting ready for a +stage career. I'm going to think it over and see about it." + +"You funny little thing! I hope you'll decide to do it, and in about +ten or twenty years, when I'm an old married woman, I'll come to your +first performance." + +"Whose performance? Who's stage struck?" asked Uncle Jeff, walking in +at the door. He had a way of appearing unexpectedly. + +"Dolly," answered Alicia. "She wants to be a prima donna." + +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed the old man, "why, one reason I had Jim +Brown here to-day, was to knock such foolishness out of your heads." + +"And he did his part all right, Uncle Forbes," said Dolly, looking +serious, "but I don't quite take the knocking. At least, I haven't +decided what I'll do about it." + +"Oho, you haven't, haven't you?" and the old man raised his shaggy +eyebrows. "Well, Alicia, how did you like your handsome, fascinating, +young man?" + +Alicia had quite recovered her good humour, and she replied, +laughingly, "Oh, except that he isn't very young or handsome or +fascinating, I liked him pretty well." + +"You're a good girl," pronounced her uncle. "I thought maybe you'd +resent the little trick I played on you. But when you raved over the +handsome hero, and the Greek god effects of him, I couldn't refrain +from showing you how deceitful appearances may be. Jim's a fine chap, +not at all a silly flirt, and his daughter is a lovely young girl, a +little older than you girls--" + +"Why, Uncle Jeff, Mr. Brown says she's younger, he said Muriel is not +yet fifteen." + +"Bless me! is that so? Well, he must know. But I can tell you, she +seems as old or older than any of you. I suppose because she's been +brought up among stage people. But a mighty nice girl, all the same. +And Mrs. Brown is a delightful woman. All nice people. I'm glad he +asked you to his home. It'll be a rare treat for you." + +"When is it to be, to-morrow?" asked Dotty. + +"We don't know yet. When Brown went away he said he'd consult his wife +and daughter and telephone us about it. I fancy they'll make quite an +affair of it. See here, have you all proper frocks to wear? I don't +want my girls less well dressed than the others there. And I have a +sneaking notion these are your best clothes." Uncle Jeff's eyes +twinkled as he glanced at their dresses. "Anyway, I'd like to give each +of you a new frock. Go to-morrow morning and get them." + +And having given the order, Uncle Jeff stalked away. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FINE FEATHERS + + +"Isn't he the funniest and the very dearest old thing in the world!" +said Alicia, in a whisper, as Mr. Forbes disappeared. "I've got loads +of clothes, but I'm glad to have him give me a dress, for I'll warrant +it'll be about the best money can buy." + +"Let's get the best New York can show us," chimed in Bernice. + +"I can't do it," said Dolly, decidedly. "My mother wouldn't like me to +accept a dress from Mr. Forbes." + +"Oh, fiddlesticks, Dollyrinda!" said Dotty, "it's not charity. My +mother wouldn't let me either, ordinarily speaking, but this is +different." + +"How is it different?" + +"Why, Mr. Forbes doesn't look on it as giving as clothes because we're +poor--" + +"He does so, Dot! You can't fool me! He knows that Alicia and Bernie +can afford grand clothes and we can't, and so he gives us each a dress +to make it easy for us to take them." + +Now, Alicia privately thought this was just about the truth, but +Bernice thought differently; "Rubbish!" she cried. "Uncle Jeff doesn't +think anything of the sort! He's so kind-hearted, he wants us all to +have things nice, and he doesn't even think about whether it would hurt +our feelings or not. Why, Dolly, the price of a dress is no more to +him, than a glass of soda water would be to us." + +"I know that's so," and Dolly's blue eyes looked very troubled, "but it +isn't nice to take clothing from anybody but your own people." + +"But Dolly," argued Alicia, "if you kick up a bobbery, and refuse to +take this kind offer, then we'll all have to do the same, and you +deprive us all of the pretty presents." + +"Oh, Alicia, I'd be sorry to do that!" + +"Well, that's what it would amount to. Now, be sensible, and go with us +to-morrow, and we'll all get lovely dresses, and it will please Uncle +Jeff. I know he'd be hurt and offended, if you refused, Dolly." + +"I'll see about it; I'll think it over," and that was all Dolly would +say about it then. + +But next morning, Mrs. Berry informed them that they were asked to an +At Home at Mrs. Brown's that afternoon, from four till seven, and she +further said that of her knowledge, it would be an occasion where the +nicest possible apparel would be required. + +"Gorgeous!" cried Alicia; "Uncle Jeff told us yesterday, we could get +new frocks as presents from him. We can get them at Follansbee's, and +if they need alteration, they'll do it for us at once, as the case is +so especial." + +Dolly's objections were overruled, even Mrs. Berry siding with the +other girls. + +"Yes, indeed, Dolly," she said; "you will spoil the pleasure of the +others if you refuse to do as they do. And it would grieve Mr. Forbes +if he thought you didn't appreciate or accept his kind offer. Run +along, girls, all of you, and get your hats and coats, the car will be +here in a few minutes." + +"Won't you go with us, Mrs. Berry," asked Dolly, "to help pick them +out? We don't know about these things as well as some one who lives in +the city." + +"No, dearies. But you won't have any trouble Just ask for Mrs. Baxter +at Follansbee's and her judgment will be the right thing. Be sure to +take what she advises. She'll know." + +In gay spirits the quartette started off, Dolly joining in the general +enthusiasm, for having decided to do as the others did, she had no wish +to hesitate further. + +Mrs. Baxter was more than pleased to advise and suggest to Jefferson +Forbes' relatives, and she had her assistants bring out dozens of +frocks for inspection. + +At last, after much discussion and trying on, the four were selected +and were promised for two o'clock that afternoon. What slight +alterations were necessary could be done in that time, and there would +be no doubt of prompt delivery. + +The dresses were absolutely unlike any the girls had ever owned before. +They were all imported models, and though of finest materials, were +simple in fabric and design. Yet they had an air and an effect never +achieved by a village dressmaker or a department store. + +Dolly's was of fine white net, frilled with delicate lace, and adorned +with tiny rosebud garlands, and knots of pale blue velvet. + +Dotty's, of apricot pink crepe, with hints of silver lace peeping +through its chiffon draperies. Alicia's was corn-coloured crepe de +chine with cherry velvet decorations, and Bernice rejoiced in a white +embroidered net, made up over green silk. + +All had that indefinable charm which betokens the genius of a great +modiste, and the girls were enchanted with the wonderful robes. + +"But what awful prices!" said Dolly, as they drove away from the shop. +"I'm sure mother will be displeased. I feel awfully about it." + +"Now, Doll," said Dotty, sensibly, "you can't help it now. So don't let +it spoil your pleasure and ours too. When we get home you can tell your +mother just how it was. I'll tell her too, and I'm sure she'll see that +you couldn't do anything else than get the frock, or kick up a terrible +bobbery!" + +This was common sense, as Dotty's remarks often were, so Dolly accepted +the situation, and made the best of it. + +And that afternoon, when they were all arrayed in the new frocks, and +presented themselves to Uncle Jeff for inspection, his approval was so +hearty, that Dolly was very glad she hadn't put a damper on the whole +thing by remaining obstinate. + +"You are visions of beauty," he declared, as he looked at each in turn. +"Madame Who-ever-it-was, turned you out remarkably well. I don't know +much about feminine millinery, but I've a general idea of the fitness +of things. And I'll bet a thousand dollars that these affairs are in +better taste than the rigs you had on yesterday, though those were far +gayer." + +"You do know a lot about it, Uncle," said Bernice. "These are way ahead +of our best dresses, but it's because they came from a high class shop. +And when you get the bill you'll open your eyes!" + +"That's all right, Bernie. I'm an old bachelor, you know, and never +before have I had the privilege of buying dresses for anybody. I'm +downright glad if you girls are pleased with these, and I'm downright +proud of the little cavalcade setting forth from my house." + +The courteous old gentleman made a profound bow and the girls curtseyed +in response. Then off they went to the party. + +As Mrs. Berry had foretold, fine clothes were the order of the day at +the Brown house. Everything was as formal as a grown-up affair. The +girls were ushered to a dressing-room to take off their wraps, and then +at the drawing-room door, their names were announced by an +imposing-looking personage in livery, and they were swept along into +the room, by the crush of others behind them. + +Mrs. Brown and her daughter were receiving, and they greeted each +arrival with gay banter and smiles. + +"Ah, my dears, how do you do?" said Mrs. Brown to our girls. "I am so +glad to welcome Mr. Forbes' young people. Muriel, dear, these are the +girls daddy told you about last night. 'Member?" + +"'Course I do. Aw'fly jolly to have you here. Sweet of you to come. +Wish I could chin-chin more, but I'll see you after the rush is over." + +They passed in line, saying scarce a word beyond a mere greeting, and +following the example of their predecessors they took seats in what +seemed to be a large auditorium. A curtained stage faced them, and they +looked about at the fast gathering audience. It was a merry crowd of +young people all laughing and chattering, and all arrayed in beautiful +clothes after the order of those the girls wore themselves. There were +many boys present, too, and they moved easily about, joking with their +friends here and there. Presently two boys drifted toward our +quartette, and one of them said, "What'll be the show, do you know?" + +"No," said Dotty, her black eyes dancing with the excitement of the +scene; "what do you guess?" + +"Dunno. Last time they had minstrels, and the time before, a magicker." + +"Legerdemain?" + +"Yes; rabbits out of hats, and that sort. Can't we sit here? Engaged?" + +"No," and Dotty smiled as she looked toward the other girls for their +consent. + +"Oh, let us stay," said the other boy, in a wheedling voice. "We'll be +awfully good,--so good you won't know us." + +"We don't know you, anyway," laughed Alicia, and the first boy +responded, "Sure enough. Roof's the introduction, you know, but I'll +add that this marvellously handsome companion of mine is one Geordie +Knapp, and I'm Ted Hosmer, very much at your service." + +"Well," said Alicia, "we're Miss Forbes, Miss Fayre, Miss Rose and Miss +Steele. Shall I tell you which is which, or let you guess?" + +"Let us Sherlock it out!" exclaimed Geordie Knapp. "I know you're Miss +Steele because you mentioned yourself last.'" + +"Right!" and Dotty clapped her hands in admiration of his quickness. +"Now, which am I?" + +"Rosy Posy!" declared Ted Hosmer, little thinking he had guessed +correctly, but saying so because of Dotty's pink cheeks. + +"Yes, sir! you ARE a Sherlock Holmes. Now which is Miss Forbes?" + +"I'm not going to guess any more, I'll spoil my record," and Ted looked +uncertainly from Dolly to Bernice. "But as you two are named Forbes and +Fayre, I'll call you both Miss F., and so be sure of you." + +And then the curtain began to rise, and the young people became silent. + +The entertainment was very amusing, being entirely in pantomime, and +performed by exceedingly clever actors. + +The story depicted was funny, and the antics of the performers were +novel and humorous, and the room resounded with laughter from the +appreciative audience. There were about a hundred young people present +yet the large room was only partly filled. Dolly concluded, as she +looked about, that it was a sort of small theatre where Mr. Brown +rehearsed his own plays. In this she was partly right, although it had +been built more for entertainment of the actor's guests. James Brown, +or Bayne Coriell, as he was more often called, stood very high in his +profession, and had hosts of friends and acquaintances. His wife was +popular, too, and Muriel was just beginning to take her place in +society. + +After the pantomime was over, two celebrated dancers gave an exhibition +of their skill, and then Miss Marie Desmond appeared and sang two of +her songs from "The Lass and the Lascar." + +Dolly was enthralled. She sat, listening to every note, and admiring +the graceful manner and deportment of Miss Desmond as well as enjoying +her music. + +"Well, you seemed to care for that, Miss F.," said Ted Hosmer. "You +didn't move an eyelash while Marie was on!" + +"Oh, I did enjoy it!" and Dolly's eyes shone with delight. "Isn't she a +splendid singer!" + +"Top notch! I like her lots. Hello, here's our charming hostess." + +The programme was over now, and Muriel Brown sought out the Forbes +party to invite them to the refreshment room. + +"I feel that I know you," she laughed, "from Dad's description. He says +the fair girl is Miss Fayre, and the rosy girl, Miss Rose." + +"Oh, that's it, is it?" cried Ted; "then this is Miss Forbes, and now +all the problems are solved!" He looked at Bernice, who acknowledged +the fact, and then Muriel was pounced upon by a rush of young people, +and literally carried away. + +"Great girl, Muriel," said young Hosmer. "Never saw such a favourite. I +say, mayn't we take you girls to the supper room? Or don't you eat?" + +"Indeed we do," said Alicia, laughing, "but I may as well own up I'm so +interested in looking about me, I'm not conscious of hunger." + +"Well, come ahead to the dining-room, and you can eat and look about at +the same time. I'll corral a couple more henchmen to help in your +services and we'll flock by ourselves." + +Geordie whistled to a couple of his chums, whom he presented as Marly +Turner and Sam Graves. + +"Now," went on Geordie, who was a born manager, "we're eight of +us,--that's enough for a table to our own selves. Nail one, Samivel." + +The way to the dining-room lay through a crush of guests, every one, it +seemed, headed in a different direction. + +"Why don't they all go one way?" asked Dotty, + +"Few of 'em eat," replied Ted. "Most of 'em going on. But the food's +always fine here, and anyway you girls want to see the dining-room if +you've never been here before. It's a whole show." + +It was. The splendid great room, with vaulted ceiling, represented an +old English hall. There was a raised platform across the end and a +gallery on either side. Fine paintings and tapestries adorned the +walls, and a multitude of small tables offered places for all who chose +to sit at them. + +"Here we are," and the boys decided on a table in a desirable position, +from which the girls could see the gay scene. "Now for some supper." + +Obsequious waiters appeared and soon the party was served with viands +fit for a king. + +"Told you so," said Ted. "Trust the Coriell bunch to give you eats +worth-while. Oh, I guess yes!" + +"But it's getting so late," sighed Dolly, as she caught sight of an old +English clock that hung near by. "And Mr. Brown promised me I could +speak to Miss Desmond. I'm afraid she'll be gone." + +"'Fraid she's gone now," said Ted. "But I'll flee and discover." + +He left them and threaded his way among the crowd. + +"Here we are!" he cried gaily, as he returned, bringing the lady in +question. "Just caught her on the fly. Trust little Teddums to get you +what you want, Miss Fair Dolly." + +Marie Desmond greeted the girls as Ted named them. + +"You lovely kiddies!" she cried. "What a delectable bunch! I could eat +you all up. And your frocks! Paris! I know; you needn't tell ME! Are +you all sisters? Oh, no, I remember now; you have variegated names. +Which one of you wanted to talk to me? I've a whole minute to spare! +Never say I'M not a lady of leisure!" + +"I'm the one," said Dolly, her eyes fixed on the lovely, laughing face +of the actress. "But a minute is no good, thank you. I want to talk to +you about a whole day!" + +"Oh, I DO wish we could manage it," and Miss Desmond appeared to think +that was the one thing on earth she desired. But Dolly noted her +wandering attention, and was not surprised when she left them as +suddenly as she had come, and with a fleeting, smiling good-bye. + +"Oh, isn't she exquisite!" breathed Dolly, her eyes on the disappearing +figure. + +"You bet she is!" assented Marly Turner. "And it's a wonder she took a +step out of her way to speak to us kids. But friends of Coriell,--of +course." + +"Is she so very busy?" asked Dolly her eyes wide with interest. + +"Well, she's a society belle as well as a popular actress. So, I +s'pose, she has more or less on all the time. There's no time for much +of anything in New York. I say, can't us fellows come to see you girls? +When? Where?" + +"I don't know," said Dolly, mindful of the Coriell episode. "I'm not +going to say yes till I know what's right. I'll ask Uncle Forbes." + +"Do. Here's a telephone call that'll reach us. Let us come soon." And +then Mrs. Brown appeared, spoke a few words to the girls, and the hoys +with them, and in a moment everybody was going home. Our girls followed +the example set them, said their good-byes, went to the cloak-room for +their wraps, and bade the footman at the door call the Forbes car. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A SKATING PARTY + + +That evening, in the drawing-room, Mr. Forbes questioned the girls +rather closely as to their enjoyment of the party at the Browns'. + +"I liked it," said Dolly, "but it was queer,--that's what it +was,--queer. The idea of just seeing a performance on the stage, and +then rushing through a very fancy supper, and then scooting for home as +if the house was on fire!--that's not my idea of a party!" + +Uncle Jeff laughed. "And you, Dotty," he said, "how did it strike you?" + +"I adored it! Everybody was so gay and smartly dressed and +quick-spoken,--I do like to hear people say things fast." + +"How queer you are!" exclaimed Bernice; "why do you like to hear people +talk fast?" + +"Not talk fast exactly, but say things suddenly, funny things, I mean." + +"I understand," said Mr. Forbes; "you mean bright at repartee and +quick-witted." + +"Yes, sir, that's just what I do mean. And everything was so well +planned and well arranged,--oh, I enjoyed every minute of it." + +"Well, I didn't," said Bernice. "I'd rather go to a regular party, +where they play games and dance and act sociable." + +"Why, the people were sociable enough," put in Alicia. "I'm like Dot, I +thought it was lovely! Muriel is as pretty as a picture--" + +"She scarcely said three words to us!" complained Bernice. + +"She couldn't help that. There were so many guests, that she hadn't +time to more than speak a minute or two with each one of them." + +"I like Berwick parties better," persisted Bernice. "There we all know +each other--" + +"But, Bernie," said Dolly, laughing, "all the people at this party knew +each other,--nearly. We were strangers, of course, but the rest seemed +to be well acquainted with Muriel." + +"And I thought the party was to be for us," went on Bernice, "and I +thought we'd be introduced to everybody, and be--well, be SOMEBODY, you +know." + +"Oho! you wanted to be honoured and lionised!" and Uncle Jeff's eyes +twinkled. + +"Not exactly. But I understood from Mr. Brown that the whole affair was +gotten up for us, and so I think we ought to have been noticed more. +Why, the boys just scraped acquaintance with us, and even had to ask +our names!" + +"That's the way they do at large parties, Bernie," said her uncle. "You +are supposed to talk to any of the other guests without introduction." + +"Well, it's no sort of a way! They were awfully nice boys, but I don't +suppose we'll ever see them again." + +"Oh, yes, we will," said Dolly. "They asked to call on us, and I said +I'd ask you, Uncle Forbes. Would it be all right?" + +"Bless my soul, Dolly! I don't know. I've so little knowledge of +etiquette for young people. Ask Mrs. Berry, whatever she says, you may +do. Who are the boys? Hosmer? Knapp? Oh, they're all right. I know the +families. But as to their calling, put it up to Mrs. Berry. And, by the +way, how'd you girls like to have a party, a real one?" + +"Like the one we went to to-day?" asked Bernice, doubtfully. "I don't +care much about it." + +"Well, have some other kind. There must be other ways of entertaining. +What would you like, Bernice?" + +"I'd like a little party,--but I suppose that would have to be formal, +too." + +"Oh, gracious, you old hayseed!" exclaimed Alicia. "You go back to the +country! I'd love to have a party, Uncle, the biggest and grandest +there is! Muriel Brown would invite the people for us, I'm sure. Oh, it +would be just heavenly! We'd have an orchestra, and a midnight supper, +and--oh, and everything!" + +"Hold on, my child, don't go too fast! We'll only have what you all +agree on. Come, two D's, what do you say?" + +"We oughtn't to say," laughed Dolly. "It's for your nieces to choose. +And anyway, Dot and I like everything, and we'd enjoy any kind of a +party--or no party at all." + +"You've a nice disposition," said Mr. Forbes, looking at her. "Don't +you ever lose your temper?" + +"She hasn't any to lose!" Dotty answered for her. "In fact, she's too +awfully good-natured for any use! But she has other faults. She's as +stubborn as a perfectly good mule! Aren't you, Dollums?" + +"I s'pect I am," and the golden head nodded. "But only when I care +enough to be stubborn. As to this party, I don't care what sort it is, +'cause I know it will be lovely, anyway. That is, if we have it. But +seems to me invitations for a big affair ought to be sent out several +days in advance, and we'll be going home the middle of next week." + +"Why, you've only just got here!" said Mr. Forbes. + +"Well, it's Friday night now, and we came last Wednesday for a week. +So, if we go home next Wednesday, that party would have to be in three +or four days, and that's a short time." + +"Of course," agreed Alicia. "We couldn't give a big party on such short +notice." + +"That's easily arranged," and Mr. Forbes laughed; "stay another week." + +"Oh, I couldn't," cried Dolly. "My mother wouldn't hear of such a +thing. The other girls can, though." + +"I wouldn't if Doll didn't," declared Dotty. "But Bernie and Alicia +could stay." + +"So we could," said Bernice. "My father will let me stay as long as +Uncle Jeff wants me." + +"I can stay, too," said Alicia, "But it's lots more fun to have you +other girls with us." + +"We'll see about all that," and Mr. Forbes dismissed the subject. + +A footman came in to say that Miss Fayre was wanted on the telephone. + +"Oh!" cried Dolly, her face turning white, "do you suppose any thing's +wrong at home? Mother had a cold; maybe it's developed into pneumonia!" + +"Nonsense, child; don't borrow trouble. Probably it's nothing of the +sort." + +"Isn't that Dolly all over?" said Alicia, after Dolly had left the +room. "She always thinks the worst there is to think!" + +"Maybe she's right," said Dotty. "Mrs. Fayre does have awful +colds,--hark, I hear Dolly laughing! It's all right!" + +They all listened, and they heard Dolly say, "Oh, perfectly splendid! +I'd just love it!--Thank you!--Yes, indeed!--I'm 'most sure--oh, +delightful!--Well, I'll ask her--Fine!--Yes, yes,--just wait a +minute,--I'll ask her now--hold the wire." + +Followed a whispered conversation, and the girls caught the sound of +Mrs. Berry's voice. + +Unable to restrain their curiosity longer, the three rushed out to the +hall and saw Dolly, her hand over the transmitter, talking to Mrs. +Berry. + +"What is it? Tell us all!" cried Bernice, and Alicia crowded close to +listen. + +"Oh, girls," and Dolly beamed at them, "it's the loveliest invitation! +Marly Turner wants us to go, to a skating party to-morrow afternoon at +St. Valentine's rink! And Mrs. Berry says it will be all right for us +to go. Yes," she continued, speaking into the telephone. "Yes, we can +go. And we're all most happy to accept. What time?" + +"Four o'clock," came the answer. "Meet our crowd at the rink. So glad +you can come." + +"So are we," returned Dolly, "and thank you, ever so much. Good-bye." + +"Good-bye," said Turner, and Dolly hung up the receiver. + +"Tell us more," cried Alicia. "What did you hang up so soon for? Why +didn't you let US talk to him? What an old selfish you are!" + +"I couldn't, Alicia," and Dolly looked hurt. "I knew from his manner +and speech that he only; wanted a reply to his invitation, and I wasn't +expected to say more." + +"But why did he ask for you?" grumbled Alicia; "why not for me?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure," and Dolly laughed; "he did, that's all. Let's +go and tell Uncle Forbes about it." + +"All right, girls; all right. Glad you're going. Have a good time. +Marly Turner? Yes, yes, son of the Bayard Turners. Nice boy. His crowd +will be all right. Can you all skate? Did you bring your skates? If +not, get some. Get whatever you want. Look as good as the rest. +Good-night now. Good-night, all." + +Abruptly, as usual, Mr. Forbes left the room, and as the girls were +getting accustomed to his eccentricities they nodded their good-nights, +and then began to plan for the skating party. + +Mrs. Berry appeared and helped them decide on certain details of +costume and accessories. + +The two D's had brought the pretty skating costumes they had worn at +the Berwick carnival, but as Bernice had been the queen that night, her +white velvet gown was out of the question. Alicia, too, had no +appropriate garb, so these two bought new dresses. + +The final result was four very becomingly attired girls who started +merrily off on Saturday afternoon for the party at the rink. + +Four bunches of violets, with Marly Turner's card, had come to the +house, and each fair damsel wore one at her corsage. + +Dolly's suit was of light blue cloth trimmed with silver fox, and +Dotty's was red cloth with dark fur. + +Bernice looked very handsome in white cloth, and Alicia had chosen +emerald green. + +They were met at the rink by Marly and his chums, and at once +introduced to the chaperon of the affair, who was Marly's married +sister. She didn't look much older than the boy himself, but she +greeted the girls with a charming hospitality and declared herself +delighted to take them in charge. + +The other boys whom they had met at Muriel's party were there, and +Muriel was, too. She welcomed the four warmly, but as she was +constantly in demand by other gay young friends, they had no chance for +connected conversation with her. + +Indeed, connected conversation was not thought of, unless with one's +skating partner. + +"You're all right on runners," commented Geordie Knapp, as he skated +with Dotty. "You must be fond of it." + +"Oh, I am. I skate a lot at home; that is, when there's ice. We're +dependent on that, you see, as we haven't an ice rink in Berwick." + +"Berwick? Small town?" + +"Yes. 'Bout as big as a minute," and Dotty laughed good-naturedly. + +"That's why you're so up to the minute, then," Geordie laughed back. +"Want to sit down and rest a bit?" + +"All right. Let's," and they sat down for a few moments. + +"There goes your chum,--with Ted Hosmer. She is your chum, isn't she? +The Fair Dolly?" + +"Dolly Fayre? Yes, indeed; we're super-inseparable." + +"That's the way with Ted and me. We're always together. Funny, isn't +it, how you like one person better'n anybody else?" + +"Yes; I couldn't keep house without Dolly. And we do keep house!" and +Dotty told her companion all about Treasure House and its delights. + +"Wow! That's some stunt! A house like that I I'd like to see it." + +"Do. Some day next summer come out to Berwick and I'll show it to you. +We've great little old brothers, too. One apiece." + +"Have you? I s'pose you can cut up larks in the country that you +couldn't here?" + +"It's awfully different." Dotty sighed. "I like the city better in lots +of ways, but, altogether, I guess I'd rather live in Berwick." + +"What are you two confabbing about?" sang out a voice, and Dolly, with +Ted Hosmer, came gliding up and stopped in front of Dot and young Knapp. + +"Settling the affairs of the nation," said Geordie; "also, it's a case +of 'change partners.'" He jumped up, took Dolly's hands in his, and +they swayed off across the ice, leaving Dotty and Ted together. + +"Don't mind him; he's crazy," said Ted, as he dropped onto the seat +beside Dotty. "And anyway, we're such chums we share our best friends +with each other!" + +"Glad you do! I like to talk to different people--" + +"I'm a different people; oh, I assure you I am. Please like to talk to +me!" + +"I do. Or, at least, I'm sure I shall. What shall we talk about?" + +"Sports in general. What do you like best, next to skating?" + +"Tennis, don't you?" + +"Sure, if you do. But that's mostly for summer. Come on, let's skate +round a couple of times, and then go for the tea place." + +It was good fun skating with Ted, and, as Dolly told him, he reminded +her a little of her friend, Tad Brown. + +"Any kin of Muriel's?" + +"No, a boy in Berwick. He has a twin brother, Tod." + +"Great names! Tadpole and Toddlekins, in full, I suppose." + +"They are called those sometimes. Oh, Mrs. Graham is beckoning to us. +We must go." + +They joined Mrs. Graham, who was their chaperon, and she marshalled her +crowd of young people to the tea room. + +At last Muriel Brown found a chance to talk to our girls. + +"We seem like old friends," she said, gaily. "Isn't the ice fine +to-day? Are you going to the dance to-night? What? Not invited? That +can easily be remedied. I say, Sam, don't you want these four angel +children at your party?" + +"'Deed I do!" and Sam Graves beamed broadly, "I didn't dare ask them +myself,--meant to get you to do it. Coax 'em, Muriel. Make 'em say yes." + +Alicia took it upon herself to accept this invitation, though Dolly +insisted it would depend on Mrs. Berry's sanction. + +"Who's Mrs. Berry?" asked Muriel. "Is she a dragon?" + +"No, indeed," smiled Dotty; "she's the dearest old yes-sayer in the +world!" + +"Oh, she'll let you come then. Tell the girls all about it, Sam," and +Muriel moved away. + +"She went off and left her ice cream untouched!" exclaimed Dotty. + +"She's always on the hop,--Muriel is," said Sam. "Now you girls come +to-night, won't you? It's a small and early at my house. Mr. Forbes +knows me, and I know your Mrs. Berry, too. Just tell her it's little +Sammy's party, and she'll send you flying over." + +"Tell us something about it," said Dolly. "Is it to be very grand? +We're hazy on the subject of New York dances." + +"Can you dance?" + +"Yes, though maybe not the very latest steps." + +"That's all right, then. Put on a clean sash and come along. You won't +be wall flowers!" + +"What time shall we come?" asked Bernice. "Tell me about the details; +I'm Mr. Forbe's niece." + +Bernice was always a little jealous if the D's seemed to be consulted +rather than herself or Alicia. + +"Oh, no details specially. All informal, you know. Come when you +like,--nine, maybe, or half past. If you're feeling conventional about +it, my mother will call on you--by telephone--and ask you proper." + +"Oh, no, she needn't do that," and Bernice laughed at the idea. "We're +only little girls. If Mrs. Berry says we can go, your invitation is +enough." + +"Good work! Be sure to come. Crazy to have you. 'Scuse me a +minute,--there's a girl I want to speak to." + +Sam darted off, and another boy dropped into his vacated seat. It was +this touch and go effect that Dotty liked, but to Dolly it seemed a +whirling maze. + +And, indeed, almost before they knew it they were all whirled off home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE COLLECTIONS + + +On Sunday, dinner was in the middle of the day, and directly after it +was over Mr. Forbes led the four to the drawing-room, as was usual in +the evening, and asked an account of the dance. + +"It was lovely!" vouchsafed Dotty. + +"Gorgeous!" agreed Bernice. + +"Perfectly all right," Alicia averred. + +"Nice enough, but very grown uppish," was Dolly's verdict. + +"You stick to your taste for simpler parties?" said Mr. Forbes, looking +kindly at Dolly. + +"Yes, sir; I guess I'm a country girl." + +"Well, I'm not," and Dotty's black eyes flashed. "I'd just as lief live +in Berwick, to be sure; but I do love to visit in New York and see all +the grand doings." + +"And was the party grand?" + +"Oh, it was, uncle," said Alicia. "It was small and it was early." + +"Pooh!" cried Dolly. "We came home at half past eleven. I don't call +that early!" + +"Early for a city party," insisted Alicia, "but it was an elaborate +affair, after all, and what do you s'pose, Uncle Jeff? We had +invitations to a lot of things, next week and the week after, too." + +"Well, you girls are real belles!" + +"They do seem to like us," and Alicia looked very well self-satisfied. + +"Which one of you do they like the best?" teased Uncle Jeff. + +"Dotty," said Alicia and Bernice together. + +"Nothing of the sort!" declared Dotty, blushing rosy red. + +"Who, then?" and Mr. Forbes turned to her. + +"Why, I don't know," said Dotty, still embarrassed. "Dolly, I guess." + +"You know better, Dot," and Dolly laughed at her. "I think, Uncle +Forbes, the most citified boys and girls like Bernie and Alicia best, +and some of the others take to Dot and me." + +Her honest blue eyes proved this was her true opinion, whatever the +facts might be. + +"Well, look here," and Mr. Forbes' eyes twinkled "I ask you two, Dotty +and Dolly, which of my two nieces is a greater favourite?" + +"Why, how can we tell that, right before them both?" cried Dolly, +taking it as a joke. + +"Yes, I want you to tell me,--right before them." + +"I don't think there's a bit of difference," Dotty said, speaking +seriously, and looking at the two girls. "You see, everybody likes +Bernie--and--they all like Alicia." + +"You're a diplomat!" laughed the old man, "Now, Dolly, see if you can +beat that?" + +Dolly liked being put on her mettle, and after a moment's thought, when +she pretended to study the girls, she said, "They are both liked +tremendously for themselves,--but more, because they are your nieces." + +"Capital!" and Mr. Forbes rubbed his hands in glee. "You're a tactful +young person, I do avow. Now, just for that you may ask anything of me +you like, to the half of my kingdom." + +"I'll ask," said Dolly, quickly, "before you have a chance to repent of +that offer. This is what I want: Let us go up and see your collections. +May we?" + +"I s'pose so. Will you be good little girls, and not finger the +exhibits, except such as I say you may?" + +"Of course we will. We're not mischievous little kiddies! Oh, are you +really going to let us see it! When?" + +"Now. May as well get it over, I suppose. March!" + +He led the way, and the girls trooped after him, up to the fourth floor +of the house. + +The rooms corresponded to those below stairs, but all were arranged as +a museum. There were enormous cases filled with specimens of every sort +of bird, butterfly or insect. Or, if not every kind was represented, +surely they were nearly all there, so multitudinous were the exhibits. + +"What a lot!" exclaimed Dolly, "I had no idea it was such an enormous +collection." + +"Yes," said Mr. Forbes, with justifiable pride, "it Is the largest +private collection that I know of. Come, let me show you the birds +first." + +Obediently the girls followed his directions, and with ever growing +interest they saw the rows and rows of stuffed birds, of all sizes and +of all varieties of plumage. + +Then came great cabinets filled with shallow drawers, each of which, +when opened, displayed tiny moths, queer flies, and microscopic +insects, each daintily mounted on its own pin and all standing in trim +rows. + +The butterflies were the prettiest exhibit of all. These showed rare +varieties and well-known ones; specimens from far distant countries and +from their own state. + +All the girls were interested, but Dolly was absorbed. She walked from +case to case, asking intelligent questions, that Mr. Forbes was glad to +answer. + +"You ought to make natural history a special study," he said to her. +"You seem so fond of it." + +"Oh, I am!" responded Dolly. "I shall try to get mother to let me take +it up specially next year. And here are the beetles! How wonderfully +they are arranged, and what beautiful colours!" + +"Yes, see the iridescent wings of this chap," and Uncle Jeff pointed to +a fine specimen. "I don't wonder the old Egyptians loved this creature +and carved their scarabs in its likeness, do you?" + +"No indeed," responded Dolly. "And do you like old Egyptian things, +too? So do I. I saw wonders in the Museum." + +"I have quite an antique collection, if you're interested." + +"If I'm interested! Well, I just guess I AM!" + +The other girls enjoyed the exhibition, too, but not so much as Dolly, +who was enthusiastic over it all. They had so far seen only the front +rooms, but now Uncle Jeff conducted them to the room in the rear +extension of the house, and as he unlocked the door he said, "Here are +my greatest treasures of all." + +The girls went in, and Mr. Forbes rolled up the shades and let in the +sunlight. + +"My, but it's close and stuffy!" exclaimed Bernice; "mayn't we have a +window open, uncle?" + +"Yes, indeed; I believe in fresh air, but I keep this room closed so +much of the time it does get stale." + +Mr. Forbes threw open a window that faced the south, and as there was +no wind blowing, the fresh winter air was balmy and pleasant. + +"That's better," said Bernice, and she began to look at the treasures +all about her. + +There were many tall cases, like book-cases, and on their shelves were +ranged curios and valuables of all sorts. These proved more interesting +to Dotty than the birds and butterflies. + +"Oh, look at the old jewellery!" she cried. "Just like what we saw in +the museum, Doll." + +"Yes, here are old Egyptian trinkets,--aren't they, Uncle Forbes?" + +"Yes, those are Egyptian and Abyssinian. This nose ring was worn by a +lady in India some centuries before you girls were born." + +"What is the oldest thing you have, Uncle?" asked Alicia. "This +jewellery?" + +"No; this is my oldest piece," and Mr. Forbes took from a shelf an +image of a cat. It was of dark brown material, and was dingy and +roughened, as if by fire. + +"This came from an old Egyptian tomb," he said. "You know they put all +sorts of idols and charms in the tombs of their dead. Then once in a +while these things are exhumed, and in some instances sold by the +Egyptian Museum authorities. I buy only what is guaranteed by them to +be genuine. I have an agent, who has travelled in many countries to +collect authentic antiquities for me. This cat dates from about 2000 B. +C." + +"Gracious!" cried Dotty, "and there's been nearly two thousand years +since B. C. That makes Mr. Cat about four thousand years old! Some cat!" + +"Well, a cat has nine lives anyway," laughed Alicia, "so it ought to be +a long time dead." + +"That never was a live cat, was it?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, no. This was a bronze image, but fire and age have turned it to a +mere brittle shell. If it were dropped to the floor it would break into +a thousand pieces." + +"Oh, my! take it!" exclaimed Dolly, who was holding the precious relic. +"I didn't know it was so fragile." + +Mr. Forbes took it carefully. "That's why I don't often bring young +people up here. They're too heedless to appreciate the value of these +old things. Yes, two centuries before the Christian Era, this piece of +bric-a-brac, as we would call it, adorned the tomb of some Egyptian +citizen. I have the guarantee, signed by the Egyptian Museum. And here +is a fine specimen. This is in a better state of preservation. See, you +can read the date on it clearly, 537 B. C." + +Mr. Forbes took from a cabinet a small image of a mummy. It was of blue +stone, somewhat chipped and worn, but preserving its shape and colour. +On the back, in rude figures, but clearly discernible was the date to +which he called their attention. + +"Wonderful!" said Alicia. "Their figures are much like ours, aren't +they?" + +"Yes, my child, the Arabic numerals are of ancient usage. Think of the +old hand that carved that date! Long since mouldered to dust!" + +"It gives me the creeps!" declared Bernice, "and yet it fascinates me, +too. Was this found in a tomb?" + +"Yes, or in a temple. Excavations in Egypt, latterly, produce so many +of these things that it is not difficult to get them. But that's pretty +old, you see,--half a century before Christ." + +"I wonder who was King of Egypt then," said Dotty. "I wish I could +remember my history better. I learned about the Ptolemies and the other +dynasties, but I get 'em all mixed up." + +Although the others were eagerly examining the old mummy relic, Dolly +stood looking at it thoughtfully. + +"May I take it?" she said, after the others had scrutinised it. + +Dolly handled it carefully, as she minutely observed it on every side. +It was about six inches long and was a perfect little model of an +Egyptian mummy. She gazed at the date deeply graven on the back, and +then with a slight smile she handed it back to Mr. Forbes, saying, +"Very good, Eddie!" + +"What! What do you mean?" cried the old gentleman, glaring at her, and +Alicia exclaimed, "Why, Dolly Fayre! You rude little thing!" + +"But what do you mean?" persisted Mr. Forbes. "Why do you call me Eddie?" + +"Oh," and Dolly laughed, "that's a slang phrase that people say when +they see through a joke." + +"Joke, miss! Are you making fun of my antiques? Explain yourself!" + +"Yes, what DO you mean, Dolly?" said Dotty, anxiously; "you can't mean +to insult Mr. Forbes." + +"You goosies!" cried Dolly, "he's fooling you. It's a joke on us." + +"What is? What's a joke?" + +"This mummy," and now Mr. Forbes had joined in Dolly's laughter. + +"You're a cute one!" he said. "Not one person in a dozen catches on to +that. Tell 'em, my dear. Oh, you are a smart one!" + +Mr. Forbes shook with glee, and Dolly held up the image to the +mystified girls. + +"Don't you see, you blindies, the date 537 B. C. couldn't have been put +on in the year 537 B. C.?" + +"Why not?" asked Alicia, looking blank. + +"Why, at that time they didn't know how many years it would be before +Christ's birth. Nobody dated anything B. C. until after the Christian +Era had begun." + +"But why didn't they?" and Bernice also looked bewildered. + +"Think a minute, you sillies. Nobody knew the exact date of the year +one until after the year one was here. In fact, I don't think they +began to count right away, anyhow. But certainly they didn't know five +hundred and thirty-seven years before!" + +"Oh, I see!" cried Bernice. "All the B. C. years have been computed or +dated since the A. D. years began." + +"Of course they have, and Mr. Forbes had the date carved on this mummy +on purpose to fool people. Didn't you?" + +"Yes," chuckled Mr. Forbes, "and it has fooled lots of people older and +wiser than you, little Dolly Fayre! I think you're pretty smart to +notice the fraud!" + +"Oh, no. But it just happened to occur to me that I'd never seen a B. +C. date marked before, and then I thought at once that it couldn't be." + +"Pretty cute, all the same. You other girls didn't see it." + +"No, we didn't," admitted Dotty. "I own up I was fooled. I never +thought of the absurdity of the thing. Did you make up the joke?" + +"No, I bought the mummy from a dealer who sold a few of them for the +purpose of fun-making. It's a pretty good joke." + +It was, and though the girls felt a little chagrined at being taken in, +they were generous enough to appreciate Dolly's cleverness and be glad +of it. + +A case of antique jewellery proved interesting to all. The queer +ornaments worn by the ancients were admired and studied by the girls, +and Mr. Forbes enjoyed telling of their histories. + +"This earring," he said, "is perhaps the gem of the whole collection. +It is Byzantine, and is of wonderfully delicate workmanship." The +filigree gold ornament, was a long and slender pendant, of intricate +gold work and studded with tiny jewels. It was one of a pair of +earrings, and they wondered where its mate might be, if indeed, it was +yet in existence. + +"It would make a fine lavalliere," said Dolly, holding it up against +her chest, and glancing in a nearby mirror. "See!" and she hooked the +trinket into the lace at her throat, "isn't it becoming?" + +"Very," laughed Bernice, and turned to see what Dotty was now +exclaiming over. + +It proved to be a bracelet, that legend said had been worn by +Cleopatra, though Mr. Forbes frankly acknowledged he didn't believe +this. + +"Let me take it by the light," said Alicia, "it's getting dusk in here." + +She took the bracelet to the open window, and admired the beauty of its +wrought gold. + +"Here, take it, Uncle Jeff," she said; "I declare I'm almost afraid to +handle these valuable things for fear I should suddenly become a +klep-what-do-you-call-it?" + +"Kleptomaniac?" said her uncle, laughing, "I'm not afraid, or I +shouldn't have brought you girls up here. I don't mind admitting I have +one friend, a wise old octogenarian, rich as Croesus, whom I wouldn't +trust up here alone! He'd steal a gem as quickly as a highway robber +would!" + +"How awful!" said Bernice. "Just because of his craze for antiques?" + +"Yes. You know some people are carried quite out of themselves by a pet +hobby. Well, girls, it is getting dusk. Let's go downstairs, and have a +little chat over what you've seen. I'd like to see how much you +remember of what I've told you." + +"Shall I shut the window, Uncle Jeff?" asked Bernice. + +"No, leave it open. A little air will do the room good. I'll see to it +later." + +The girls left the room, Mr. Forbes followed, and locking the door, +pocketed the key, and they all went downstairs. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE LOST JEWEL + + +A pleasant hour was spent in the library as Mr. Forbes told the girls +anecdotes connected with his treasures, and also catechised them on +what they had learned from their afternoon in his museum. + +Dolly had taken the greatest interest in it, though Bernice soon proved +that she had the best memory of them all, for she could tell dates and +data that her uncle had informed them, and which the others more often +forgot. + +"I haven't any memory," sighed Dolly. "But I do love to see these +things and hear about them. It's lots of work, isn't it, to get them +all properly catalogued and labelled?" + +"Yes, it keeps Fenn pretty busy, and often I bring in an assistant for +him. But Fenn is a clever chap, and a quick worker." + +Their chat was interrupted by Geordie Knapp and Ted Hosmer, who came +over to call on the girls. + +"Come right in, boys, glad to see you," was Mr. Forbes' hearty +greeting. "I shouldn't wonder if our young friends here would be glad +too. They've spent the whole afternoon with my old fogy talk and I'll +warrant they'll be glad of a change." + +"You, stay with us, Uncle, and enjoy the change, too," laughed Alicia, +as Mr. Forbes was leaving the room. + +"No, no; it doesn't seem to occur to you that I'd like a rest from a +crowd of chatter-boxes!" His merry smile belied his words, and he went +off leaving the young people together. + +Mrs. Berry looked in, and hospitably invited the boys to stay to +supper, which they willingly agreed to do. + +Also, they stayed an hour or more after supper, and when at last they +departed, the four girls remained in the library talking things over. + +To their surprise, Mr. Forbes came to the room, and without a word sat +down facing the group. Something in his expression caused the girls to +stop their laughter and chatter, for the old gentleman looked decidedly +serious. + +"Well, my dears," and he looked from one to another, "have you had a +pleasant day?" + +"Yes, indeed," spoke up Alicia, and they all added words of assent. + +"Well, I haven't," said Mr. Forbes, and they looked up at him with a +startled air. "That is, I have just made a discovery that makes to-day +one of the most unfortunate of my life." + +"What is it, Uncle? What is the matter?" + +Alicia spoke solicitously, as if she feared her uncle had become +suddenly ill. + +"I have met with a loss." + +"A loss?" queried Bernice. "What have you lost?" + +"One of my dearest possessions. I went to my museum just now, to that +rear room which we were in last, and I discovered that one of my +valuable pieces of jewellery is gone." + +The girls stared at him blankly, and at last, Bernice said, "Which one?" + +"The Byzantine earring, the gold filigree piece." + +"Oh," cried Alicia, "that lovely piece! Why, where can it be?" + +"I don't know," replied her uncle, slowly. "I searched everywhere, and +as I couldn't find it, I came down here to ask if you girls had taken +it as--as a joke on me." + +"No, indeed!" exclaimed Alicia. "I'd scorn to do such a mean trick! +None of us would think of such a thing, would we, girls?" + +"No, indeed," said they all, and then a silence fell. Where could the +jewel be? As always, in moments of excitement, Dolly turned very pale +while Dotty flushed furiously red. Alicia, sat, her big eyes staring +with dismay and Bernice nervously picked at her handkerchief. + +"Come now," said Mr. Forbes, "if any of you girls did take it, in jest, +give it up, for it isn't a funny joke at all." + +"Oh, we didn't! I'm sure none of us did!" and Dolly almost wailed in +her earnest denial. + +"Of course, we didn't!" declared Dotty, angrily. "You ought to know +we're not that sort of girls! It must have been mislaid, or pushed +behind something that conceals it from view." + +"Probably you're right," and Mr. Forbes looked at her intently. "That's +probably the solution of its disappearance. I'll have Fenn make search +to-morrow. I'm sorry I bothered you about it. Good-night." + +With his funny abruptness he left the room, and the girls sat looking +at each other in amazement. + +"Did you ever hear anything like that!" demanded Dotty, furiously. "The +idea of thinking we would do such a thing! I hate practical jokes, +unless among a lot of school chums. I wouldn't think of playing a joke +on a grown-up!" + +"Uncle Jeff hasn't had much experience with young folks," put in +Alicia, by way of excuse for their host. "You know he always lives +alone, and he doesn't know what girls would or wouldn't do." + +"But how awful for that thing to be lost," mused Bernice. "Suppose it +fell down behind a case, or somewhere, and he NEVER finds it!" + +"Oh, his secretary will find it," said Dolly, hopefully. "It MUST be +somewhere around. Don't let's talk about it. If we do, I shan't sleep a +wink all night! I never do, if I worry." + +"I think it's something to worry about," said Alicia. "It's the worst +blow Uncle Jeff could have. You know how he adores his treasures. Why, +he'd rather lose everything from these downstairs than one specimen out +of those fourth story rooms. And that gold earring, of all things!" + +"I tell you stop talking about it!" and Dolly clapped her hands over +her ears. "Please, humour me in this," she added, smiling a little, +"truly, it will keep me awake, if I get to worrying over it." + +"All right, girls, let's drop the subject. Also, let's go to bed." It +was Alicia who spoke, and she seemed under great excitement. Her eyes +were unnaturally bright, and her cheeks were pink, and she moved +jerkily, as if nervous. + +So the four went up to their rooms, and saying good-night, they closed +the door of communication between. + +"What's the matter, Dollums?" asked Dotty, as she saw tears in the blue +eyes. + +"Nothing, Dot, only don't talk about that gold thing, will you? I just +simply can't stand it if you do!" + +"'Course I won't if you don't want me to, only what DO you s'pose DID +become of it?" + +"There you go! I think you're too mean for anything!" + +"Oh, pshaw, I didn't mean to. I forgot. All right, no more talk 'bout +that old rubbish. What shall us talk about?" + +"Don't talk at all. I'd rather go to sleep." + +"Go, then, old crossy! But I s'pose you don't mean to sleep in your +clothes!" + +"No," and Dolly laughed a little. "I know I'm an old bear, and a +crosspatch, and everything horrid,--but I'm nervous, Dotty, I AM." + +"I know it, old girl, but you'll get over it. I believe this city life +is wearing you out! I believe it's time you went home." + +"Oh, I think so, too. I wish we could go tomorrow!" + +"Well, we can't. What has got into you, Dollyrinda? I believe you're +homesick!" + +"I am, Dotty! I'd give anything to see mother now.--I wish I was home +in my own room." + +"You'll be there soon enough. I s'pose we'll go Wednesday." + +"Wednesday! that seems ages off!" + +"Why, Dollums, to-morrow, you can say Wednesday is day after to-morrow! +That's what I always do if I want to hurry up the days. But I don't +want to hurry up our days in New York! No sir-ee! I love every one of +'em! _I_ wish we could stay a month!" + +"I don't!" and then there were few more words said between the two that +night. Soon they were in bed, and if Dolly lay awake, Dotty didn't know +it, for she fell asleep almost as soon as her dark curly head touched +its pillow. + +Meantime in the next room, the other two were talking. + +"I do hope Uncle Jeff will find his old jewel," Bernice said, +pettishly. "We won't have a bit more fun, if he doesn't." "That's so," +agreed Alicia, "but he won't find it." + +"How do you know?" + +"Oh, 'cause. It's very likely fallen down some crack or somewhere that +nobody'd think of looking. Why, once, a photograph was on our mantel, +and it disappeared most mysteriously. And we never could find it. And +after years, there was a new mantelpiece put in, and there was the +picture! It had slipped down a narrow mite of a crack between the +mantel-shelf and the wall back of it." + +"Tell Uncle Jeff that to-morrow. Maybe it will help him to find the +thing." + +"All right, I will. But of course, Mr. Fenn will look everywhere +possible. I don't believe anybody'll ever find it." + +"Then Uncle will be cast down and upset all the rest of the time we're +here." + +"Well, I can't help that. What do you suppose, Bernice, he asked us +here for, anyway?" + +"You ask me that a hundred dozen times a day, 'Licia! I tell you I +don't know, but I think it was only a whim. You know how queer he is. +He forgets we're in this house from one evening to the next. If to-day +hadn't been Sunday, we wouldn't have seen him this afternoon. I wish we +were going to stay another week." + +"So do I. But I don't like to ask him outright, and he hasn't said +anything about it lately. The others couldn't stay, anyway." + +"Oh, I don't know. I think if they were invited their mothers would let +them. And anyway, I'd rather stay without them, than to go home." + +"Yes, I would, too. Dot likes it better than Dolly." + +"Yes, Dolly's homesick. Anybody can see that. But they like it when we +go to places, and see sights." + +"Who wouldn't? We're really having fairy-tale times, you know." + +"I know it. I shall hate to go back to school." + +"Well, I don't hate to go home. I have good enough times in Berwick; +but I'd like to stay here one week more. I think I'll ask Uncle Jeff to +let us, if he doesn't ask us himself." + +"Wait till he finds his lost treasure. He'll be pretty blue if he +doesn't get that back." + +"Yes, indeed he will. Let's hope the Fenn man will spy it out. It must +be in that room somewhere, you know." + +"Of course it must. The secretary will find it. That's what secretaries +are for." + +And then silence and sleep descended on that room also. + +Next morning, Mr. Forbes appeared at the breakfast table. This was the +first time they had ever seen him in the morning and the girls greeted +him cheerily. + +"Very nice," he said, affably, "to come down and breakfast with a flock +of fresh young rosebuds like you," and he seemed so good-natured, that +Alicia decided he had taken his loss more easily than she had feared. + +But toward the end of the meal, Mr. Forbes made known the reason of his +early appearance. + +"We can't find that earring," he said, suddenly. "Mr. Fenn and I have +been looking since six o'clock this morning. Now I'm going to ask you +girls to help me. Will you all come up to the museum and hunt? Your +young eyes may discern it, where we older seekers have failed. At any +rate, I'd like you to try." + +The four expressed ready willingness, and they rose from the table and +followed Uncle Jeff up the stairs to the rear room where the loss had +occurred. + +The sun shone in at the southern windows, and flooded the room with +brightness. It seemed impossible to overlook the treasure, and surely +it must be found at once. + +A youngish man was there before them, and he was introduced as the +secretary. Lewis Fenn was a grave looking, solemn-faced chap, who, it +was evident took seriously the responsibility of his position as +tabulator and in part, custodian of valuable treasures. He bowed to the +girls, but said nothing beyond a word of greeting to each. + +"You see," said Mr. Forbes, "I locked this room myself, after you girls +last evening, and nobody could get in to take the earring. +Consequently, it would seem that a close search MUST be efficacious. +So, let us all set to, and see what we can do in the way of discovery." + +"Let's divide the room in four," suggested Mr. Fenn, "and one of you +young ladies take each quarter." + +"Good idea!" commented Uncle Jeff, "and we'll do just that. Alicia, you +take this west end, next the door; Bernice, the east end, opposite; +Dotty, the north side, and Dolly, the south side. There, that fixes it. +Now, to work, all of you. I've exhausted my powers of search, and so +has Fenn." + +The two men sat down in the middle of the room, while the girls eagerly +began to search. They were told not to look in the cases, but merely on +tables or any place around the room where the jewel might have fallen +or been laid. + +"Who had it last?" asked Mr. Fenn, as the girls searched here and there. + +Nobody seemed to know, exactly, and then Alicia said, suddenly, "Why, +don't you know, Dolly hooked it onto the front of her dress, and said +it would make a lovely pendant." + +"But I took it off," said Dolly, turning white. + +"Where did you put it then?" asked Mr. Fenn, not unkindly, but +curiously. + +"Let me see," faltered Dolly, "I don't quite remember. I guess I laid +it on this table." + +"If so, it must be there now, my dear," said Mr. Forbes, suavely. "Look +thoroughly." + +Dolly did look thoroughly, and Dotty came over to help her, but the +earring was not on the table. + +Nor was it on other tables that were about the room; nor on any chair +or shelf or settee or window-sill. + +"Where CAN it be?" said Dotty, greatly alarmed, lest Dolly's having +fastened it to her dress should have been the means of losing it. + +"Are you sure you removed it from your frock, Miss Fayre?" asked Fenn, +and at that moment Dolly took a dislike to the man. His voice was low +and pleasant, but the inflection was meaning, and he seemed to imply +that Dolly might have worn it from the room. + +"Of course, I am," Dolly replied, in a scared, low voice, which +trembled as she spoke. + +"There's an idea," said Mr. Forbes. "Mightn't you have left it hooked +into your lace, Dolly, and it's there still? Run and look, my dear." + +"I'll go with you," said Dotty, but Fenn said, "No, Miss Rose, you'd +better stay here." + +Dotty was so astonished at his dictum that she stood still and stared +at him. Dolly ran off to her room on the second floor and carefully +examined the dress she had worn the day before. + +"No," she said, on her return, "it isn't on my dress. I knew it +couldn't be,--I should have seen it when I undressed. Besides, I know I +took it off here, only a moment after I tried it on. I merely looked at +it an instant, and then I unhooked it and laid it on this table." + +"But at first, you weren't sure that you did place it on that table, +Miss Fayre," came the insinuating voice of Fenn once more. + +"Yes, I did, I'm sure of it now," and Dolly's white face was drawn with +anxiety. + +"Think again." counselled the secretary. + +"Maybe you took it off, and absent-mindedly slipped it in your pocket." + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +SUSPICIONS + + +Dotty turned on Fenn like a little fury. "What do you mean?" she cried. +"Are you accusing Dolly of stealing that thing?" + +"There, there," said Mr. Forbes, placatingly, "Of course, Fenn didn't +mean that. Not intentionally, that is. But without thinking, couldn't--" + +"No, she couldn't!" stormed Dotty. "Dolly Fayre doesn't go around +pocketing people's jewels unconsciously! She isn't a kleptomaniac, or +whatever you call it! She did exactly as she says she did. She laid +that earring on that table." + +"Then why isn't it there now?" asked Fenn. + +"Because somebody else moved it. Oh, don't ask me who. I don't KNOW +who! And I don't CARE who! But Dolly put it there, and whoever took it +away from there can find it! Perhaps YOU, can, Mr. Fenn!" + +The secretary looked at the angry girl with an irritating smile. + +"I wish I might, Miss Rose. But I've searched the room thoroughly, as +you all have, too. It can't be HERE, you know." + +"I'll tell you," said Alicia, eagerly, and then she described how in +her home a photograph had slipped down behind the mantel and had been +lost for years. + +"Let us see," and Mr. Forbes went to the mantel in the room. But there +was not the least mite of a crack between the shelf and the wall. +Alicia's suggestion was useless. + +"But," she said, "there might be that sort of a hiding-place somewhere +else. Let's look all over." + +The girls tried hard to find some crack or crevice in any piece of +furniture, into which the trinket might have slipped, but there was +none. They felt down between backs and seats of chairs, looked behind +cases of treasures, moved every book and paper that lay on the tables, +even turned up the edges of rugs, and peeped under. + +"It doesn't make any difference how much we look," Dotty declared, +"we've just got to look more,--that's all. Why, that earring is in this +room, and that's all there is about that! Now, it's up to us to find +it. You know, after you search all the possible places, you have to +search the impossible ones." + +"I admire your perseverance," said Mr. Forbes, "but I can't hope it +will be rewarded. It isn't as if we were hunting for a thing that +somebody had purposely concealed, that would mean an exhaustive search. +But we're looking for something merely mislaid or tossed aside, and if +we find it, it will be in some exposed place, not cleverly hidden." + +"Oh, I don't know, Uncle Jeff," said Bernice, "you know when Alicia's +photograph slipped behind the mantel, that was deeply hidden, although +not purposely." + +"Yes, that's so," and Uncle Jeff looked questioningly from one girl to +another. + +It was impossible to ignore the fact that he deemed one of them +responsible for the disappearance of the jewel, and until the matter +was cleared up, all felt under suspicion. Fenn, too, was studying the +four young faces, as if to detect signs of guilt in one of them. + +At last he said, "Let us get at this systematically. Who took the +earring first, when Mr. Forbes handed it out from the case?" + +"I did," said Dotty, promptly. "I stood nearest to Mr. Forbes and he +handed it to me. After I looked at it, I passed it to Alicia." + +"No, you didn't," contradicted Alicia. "I didn't touch it." + +"Why, yes, 'Licia," Dotty persisted, "you took it and said--" + +"I tell you I didn't! I never handled the things at all! It was +Bernice." + +"I did have it in my hands," said Bernice, reflectively, "but I can't +remember whether I took it from Dot or Alicia." + +"I didn't touch it, I tell you!" and Alicia frowned angrily. + +"Oh, yes, you did," said Dolly, "it was you, Alicia, who passed it on +to me. And I took it--" + +"You didn't take it from me, Dolly," and Alicia grew red with passion. +"I vow I never touched it! You took it from Bernice." + +"No," said Dolly, trying to think. "I took it from you, and I held it +up and asked you how it looked." + +"No, Doll, you asked me that," said Bernice, "and I said it was very +becoming." + +"You girls seem decidedly mixed as to what you did," said Mr. Fenn, +with a slight laugh. "I think you're not trying to remember very +clearly." + +"Hold on, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes, reprovingly. "It's in the girls' +favour that they don't remember clearly. If they tossed the thing aside +carelessly, they naturally wouldn't remember." + +"But, Mr. Forbes," and the secretary spoke earnestly, "would these +young ladies toss a valuable gem away carelessly? They are not ignorant +children. They all knew that the earring is a choice possession. I'm +sure not one of them would toss it aside, unheeding where it might +fall!" + +This was perfectly true. None of the four girls could have been so +heedless as that! They had carefully handled every gem or curio shown +them, and then returned it to Mr. Forbes as a matter of course. + +Fenn's speech was rather a facer. All had to admit its truth, and the +four girls looked from one to another and then at Mr. Forbes. He was +studying them intently. + +Bernice and Dolly were crying. Alicia and Dotty were dry-eyed and +angry-faced. If one of the four had a secret sense of guilt, it was +difficult to guess which one it might be, for all were in a state of +excitement and were well-nigh hysterical. + +"Much as I regret it," Mr. Forbes began, "I am forced to the conclusion +that one or more of you girls knows something of the present +whereabouts of my lost jewel. I do not say I suspect any of you of +wilful wrong-doing, it might be you had accidentally carried it off, +and now feel embarrassed about returning it. I can't--I won't believe, +that any of you deliberately took it with intent to keep it." + +"We thank you for that, Mr. Forbes," and Dotty's tone and the +expression of her face denoted deepest sarcasm. "It is a comfort to +know that you do not call us thieves! But, for my part, I think it is +about as bad to accuse us of concealing knowledge of the matter. I +think you'd better search our trunks and suitcases! And then, if you +please, I should like to go home--" + +"No doubt you would, Miss Rose!" broke in Fenn's cold voice. "A search +of your belongings would be useless. If one of you is concealing the +jewel, it would not be found in any available place of search. You +would have put it some place in the house, not easy of discovery. That +would not be difficult." + +"Be quiet, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes. "Girls, I'm not prepared to say I +think one of you has hidden the jewel, but I do think that some of you +must know something about it. How can I think otherwise? Now, tell me +if it is so. I will not scold,--I will not even blame you, if you have +been tempted, or if having accidentally carried it off, you are ashamed +to own up. I'm not a harsh man. I only want the truth. You can't be +surprised at my conviction that you DO know something of it. Why, +here's the case in a nutshell. I handed that earring to you, and I +never received it back. What can I think but that you have it yet? It +is valuable, to be sure, but the money worth of it is as nothing to the +awfulness of the feeling that we have an untrustworthy person among us. +Can it be either of my two nieces who has done this wrong? Can it be +either of their two young friends? I don't want to think so, but what +alternative have I? And I MUST know! For reasons which I do not care to +tell you, it is imperative that I shall discover who is at fault. I +could let the whole matter drop, but there is a very strong cause why I +should not do so. I beg of you, my dear nieces,--my dear young +friends,--I beseech you, tell me the truth, won't you?" + +Mr. Forbes spoke persuasively, and kindly. + +Alicia burst into a storm of tears and sobbed wildly. Bernice, her face +hidden in her handkerchief, was crying too. + +Dotty sat stiffly erect in her chair, her little hands clenched, her +big, black eyes staring at Mr. Forbes in a very concentration of wrath. + +Dolly was limp and exhausted from weeping. + +With quivering lips and in a shaking voice, she said: + +"Maybe one of us is a kleptomaniac, then, after all." + +"Ah, a confession!" said Mr. Fenn, with his cynical little smile. "Go +on, Miss Fayre. Which one has the accumulating tendency?" + +"You do make me so mad!" exclaimed Dotty, glaring at him. "Uncle +Forbes, can't we talk with you alone?" + +"Oh, no, little miss," said Fenn, "Mr. Forbes is far too easy-going to +look after this affair by himself! He'd swallow all the stories you +girls would tell him! I'll remain, if you please. Unless you have +something to conceal, you can't object to my presence at this +interesting confab." + +Dolly came to Dotty's aid. She looked at the secretary with a glance of +supreme contempt. + +"It is of no consequence, Mr. Fenn," she said, haughtily, "whether you +are present or not. Uncle Forbes, I agree with Dotty. You said +yourself, you have an acquaintance who can't help taking treasures that +are not his own. It may be that one of us has done this. But, even so, +the jewel must be in the house. None of us has been out of the house +since we were in this room yesterday afternoon. So, if it is in the +house, it must be found." + +"Ha! You HAVE hidden it securely, to be willing to have a thorough +search of the house made!" and Fenn looked unpleasantly at her. "Own +up, Miss Fayre; it will save a lot of trouble for the rest of us." + +Dolly tried to look at the man with scorn, but her nerves gave way, and +again she broke down and cried softly, but with great, convulsive sobs. + +Dotty was furious but she said nothing to Fenn for she knew she would +only get the worst of it. + +"Come now, Dolly," said Mr. Forbes, in a gentle way, "stop crying, my +dear, and let's talk this over. Where did you lay the earring when you +took it from your dress?" + +"On--on--the t-table," stammered Dolly, trying to stop crying. But, as +every one knows, it is not an easy thing to stem a flood of tears, and +Dolly couldn't speak clearly. + +"Yes; what table?" + +"This one," and Dotty spoke for her, and indicated the table by the +south window. + +"Where,--on the table?" persisted Uncle Jeff. + +Dolly got up and walked over to the light stand in question. + +"About here, I think," and she indicated a spot on the surface of the +dull finished wood. + +"Why didn't you hand it back to me?" queried Mr. Forbes, in a kind tone. + +"I d-don't know, sir," Dolly sobbed again. "I'm sure I don't know why I +didn't." + +"I know," put in Dotty. "Because just then, Mr. Forbes showed us a +bracelet that had belonged to Cleopatra, and we all crowded round to +look at that, and Doll laid down the earring to take up the bracelet. +We didn't suppose we were going to be accused of stealing!" + +"Tut, tut," said Mr. Forbes. "Nobody has used that word! I don't accuse +you of anything,--except carelessness." + +"But when it comes to valuable antiques," interrupted Fenn, "it is what +is called criminal carelessness." + +"It WAS careless of Dolly to lay the earring down," said Mr. Forbes, +"but that is not the real point. After she laid it down, just where she +showed us, on that small table, somebody must have picked it up. Her +carelessness in laying it there might have resulted in its being +brushed off on the floor, but not in its utter disappearance." + +"Maybe it fell out of the window," suggested Bernice, suddenly, "that +window was open then, you know." + +Mr. Forbes waited over to the table. "No," he said, "this stand is +fully a foot from the window sill. It couldn't have been unknowingly +brushed as far as that." + +"Of course, it couldn't," said Fenn, impatiently. "You're making no +progress at all, Mr. Forbes." + +"Propose some plan, yourself, then," said Dotty, shortly; "you're so +smart, suppose you point your finger to the thief!" + +"I hope to do so, Miss Rose," and Fenn smirked in a most aggravating +way. "But I hesitate to accuse anyone before I am quite sure." + +"A wise hesitation!" retorted Dotty. "Stick to that, Mr. Fenn!" + +She turned her back on him, and putting her arm round Dolly, sat in +silent sympathy. + +Suddenly Bernice spoke. She was not crying now, on the contrary, she +was composed and quiet. + +"Uncle Jeff," she said, "this is a horrid thing that has happened. I +feel awfully sorry about it all, but especially because it is making so +much trouble for Dolly and Dotty, the two friends that I brought here. +Alicia and I belong here, in a way, but the others are our guests, as +well as your guests. It is up to us, to free them from all suspicion in +this thing and that can only be done by finding the earring. I don't +believe for one minute that any one of us four girls had a hand, +knowingly, in its disappearance, but if one of us did, she must be +shown up. I believe in fairness all round, and while I'm sure the jewel +slipped into some place, or under or behind something, yet if it +DIDN'T,--if somebody did,--well,--steal it! we must find out who. I +wouldn't be willing, even if you were, Uncle, to let the matter drop. I +want to know the solution of the mystery, and I'm going to find it!" + +"Bravo! Bernie, girl," cried her uncle, "that's the talk! As I told you +I must know the truth of this thing,--never mind why, I MUST find it +out. But how?" + +"First," said Bernice, speaking very decidedly, but not looking toward +the other girls, "I think all our things ought to be searched." + +"Oh, pshaw, Bernie," said Alicia, "that would be silly! You know if any +of us wanted to hide that earring we wouldn't put it in among our +clothes." + +"Why not?" demanded Bernice. "I can't imagine any of us having it, but +if we have, it's by accident. Why, it might have caught in any of our +dresses or sashes, and be tucked away there yet." + +"That's so," and Dotty looked hopeful. "It could be, that as one of us +passed by the table, it got caught in our clothing. Anyway, we'll all +look." + +"But don't look in your own boxes," objected Fenn. "Every girl must +search another's belongings." + +"I wonder you'd trust us to do THAT!" snapped Dotty, and Fenn +immediately replied: + +"You're right! It wouldn't be safe! I propose that Mrs. Berry search +all your rooms." + +"Look here, Fenn, you are unduly suspicious," Mr. Forbes remonstrated, +mildly. + +"But, sir, do you want to get back your gem, or not? You asked for my +advice and help in this matter, now I must beg to be allowed to carry +out my plans of procedure." + +It was plain to be seen that Mr. Forbes was under the thumb of his +secretary. And this was true. Lewis Fenn had held his position for a +long time, and his services were invaluable to Jefferson Forbes. It was +necessary that the collector should have a reliable, responsible and +capable man to attend to the duties he required of a secretary, and +these attributes Fenn fully possessed. But he was of a small, +suspicious nature, and having decided on what course to pursue +regarding the lost curio, he was not to be swerved from his path. + +"Well, well, we will see," Mr. Forbes said, an anxious look wrinkling +his forehead as he looked at the girls. "Run away now, it's nearly +luncheon time. Don't worry over the thing. Each one of you knows her +own heart. If you are innocent, you've no call to worry. If you are +implicated, even in a small degree in the loss of my property, come to +me and tell me so. See me alone, if you like. I will hear your +confession, and if it seems wise, I will keep it confidential. I can't +promise this, for as I hinted, I have a very strong reason for probing +this affair to the very core. It is a mystery that MUST be cleared up!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AT THE TEA ROOM + + +The girls went to their rooms to tidy up for luncheon, though there was +some time before the meal would be announced. + +By common consent the door was closed between the rooms, and on one +side of it the two D's faced each other. + +"Did you ever see such a perfectly horrid, hateful, contemptible old +thing as that Fenn person?" exclaimed Dotty, her voice fairly shaken +with wrath. "I can't see how Mr. Forbes can bear to have him around! He +ought to be excommunicated, or whatever they do to terrible people!" + +"He IS awful, Dotty, I don't wonder you gave it to him! But you mustn't +do it. He's Mr. Forbes' right hand man, and whatever Uncle Jeff tells +him to do, he'll do it. The idea of searching our trunks! I won't allow +them to touch mine, I can tell you that!" + +"Oh, Dolly, now don't be stubborn. Why, for you to refuse to let them +look over your things would be the same as saying you had the thing +hidden." + +"Dorothy Rose! What a thing to say to me!" + +"I'm not saying it to you! I mean, I am saying it to you, just to show +you what other people would say! You know it, Dolly. You know Fenn +would say you had the earring." + +"But, Dotty, it must be somewhere." + +"Of course, it must be somewhere,--look here, Dollyrinda, you don't +know anything about it, do you? Honest Injun?" + +"How you talk, Dot. How should I know anything about it?" + +"But do you?" + +"Don't be silly." + +"But, DO you?" + +"Dotty, I'll get mad at you, if you just sit there saying, 'But do +you?' like a talking machine! Are you going to change your dress for +luncheon?" + +"No, I'm not. These frocks are good enough. But, Dolly, DO you? do you +know anything, ANYTHING at all, about the earring?" + +Dolly was sitting on the edge of her little white bed. At Dotty's +reiteration of her query, Dolly threw her head down on the pillow and +hid her face. + +"Do you?" repeated Dotty, her voice now tinged with fear. + +Dolly sat upright and looked at her. "Don't ask me, Dotty," she said, +"I can't tell you." + +"Can't tell me," cried Dotty, in bewilderment, "then who on earth COULD +you tell, I'd like to know!" + +"I could tell mother! Oh, Dotty, I want to go home!" + +"Well, you can't go home, not till day after to-morrow, anyway. What's +the matter with you, Dolly, why can't you tell me what you know? How +can I find the thing, and clear you from suspicion if you have secrets +from me?" + +"You can't, Dotty. Don't try." + +Dolly spoke in a tense, strained way, as if trying to preserve her +calm. She sat down at their little dressing-table and began to brush +her hair. + +A tap came at the door, and in a moment, Bernice came in. + +"Let me come in and talk to you girls," she begged. "Alicia is in a +temper, and won't say anything except to snap out something +quarrelsome. What are we going to do?" + +"I don't know, Bernie," and Dotty looked as if at her wits' end. "It's +bad enough to put up with that old Fenn's hateful talk, but now Dolly's +gone queer, and you say Alicia has,--what ARE we to do?" + +"Let's talk it all over with Mrs. Berry at lunch, she's real sensible +and she's very kind-hearted." + +"Yes, she is. And there's the gong now. Come on, let's go down. Come +on, Dollikins, brace up, and look pretty! Heigho! come on, Alicia!" + +Alicia appeared, looking sullen rather than sad, and the quartette went +downstairs. + +Mrs. Berry listened with interest to their story. Interest that quickly +turned to deep concern as the story went on. + +"I don't like it," she said, as the girls paused to hear her comments. +"No carelessness or thoughtlessness could make that valuable earring +disappear off the face of the earth! I mean, it couldn't get LOST, it +must have been taken." + +"By us?" flared out Alicia. + +"Maybe not meaningly, maybe for a joke, maybe unconsciously; but it was +carried out of that room by some one, of that I'm certain." + +"The idea of thinking we'd do it as a joke!" cried Bernice. + +"But you told me about the joke Mr. Forbes played on you about the B. +C. image, why mightn't one of you have taken this to tease him? Oh, +girls, if any of you did,--give it back, I beg of you! Mr. Forbes is a +kind man, but a very just one. If you give it back at once, and +explain, he will forgive you, fully and freely. But if you delay too +long he will lose patience. And, too, you must know he wants to--" + +"Wants to what, Mrs. Berry?" asked Dotty, for the lady had stopped +speaking very suddenly. + +"Never mind. I forgot myself. But Mr. Forbes has a very strong reason +for wishing to sift this matter to the bottom. Don't, girls,--oh, DON'T +deceive him!" + +"What makes you think we're deceiving him?" cried Dotty. "That's the +way old Fenn talks! Isn't he a disagreeable man, Mrs. Berry?" + +"Mr. Fenn is peculiar," she admitted, "but it isn't nice for you to +criticise Mr. Forbes' secretary. He is a trusted employee, and of great +use in his various capacities." + +"But he was very rude to us," complained Alicia. "He was positively +insulting to Dolly and me." + +"Don't remember it," counselled Mrs. Berry. "The least you have to do +with him the better. Forget anything he may have said, and keep out of +his way all you can." + +Mr. Forbes' housekeeper was a tactful and peaceable woman, and she well +knew the temperament and disposition of the secretary. She herself +disliked him exceedingly, but it was part of her diplomacy to avoid +open encounter with him. And she deemed it best for the girls to follow +her course. + +"I think," she said finally, "the best thing for you to do, is to go +for a nice motor ride in the park. It is a lovely day, and the ride +will do you good and make you feel a heap better. Then on your return, +stop at a pretty tearoom, and have some cakes and chocolate, or ices; +and while you're gone, I'll have a little talk with Mr. Forbes, and, +who knows, maybe we might find the earring!" + +"You're going to search our boxes!" cried Alicia. "Well, I won't submit +to such an insult! I shall lock mine before I go out." + +"So shall I," declared Dolly. "I think we all ought to. Really, Mrs. +Berry, it's awful for you to do a thing like that!" + +"Mercy me! girls, how you do jump at conclusions! I never said a word +about searching your rooms. I had no thought of such a thing! You +mustn't condemn me unheard! You wouldn't like that, yourselves!" + +"Indeed, we wouldn't, Mrs. Berry," cried Dolly, smiling at her. "I +apologise for my burst of temper, I'm sure. But I hate to be suspected." + +"Be careful, Dolly, not to be selfish. Others hate to be suspected +too--" + +"Yes, but _I_'m innocent!" cried Dolly, and as soon as she had spoken +she blushed fiery red, and her sweet face was covered with confusion. + +"Meaning somebody else ISN'T innocent!" spoke up Alicia; "who, please?" + +"Me, probably," said Dotty, striving to turn the matter off with a +laugh. "Dolly and I always suspect each other on principle--" + +"Oh, pooh! This is no time to be funny!" and Alicia looked daggers at +the smiling Dotty. + +"You're right, Alicia, it isn't!" she flashed back, and then Mrs. +Berry's calm voice interrupted again. + +"Now, girlies, don't quarrel among yourselves. There's trouble enough +afoot, without your adding to it. Take my advice. Go and put on some +pretty dresses and then go for a ride, as I told you, and get your tea +at the 'Queen Titania' tearoom. It's just lately been opened, and it's +a most attractive place. But promise not to squabble. Indeed, I wish +you'd promise not to discuss this matter of the earring. But I suppose +that's too much to ask!" + +"Yes, indeed, Mrs. Berry," and Bernice smiled at her. "I'm sure we +couldn't keep that promise if we made it!" + +"Well, don't quarrel. It can't do any good. Run along now, and dress." + +The cheery good-nature of the housekeeper helped to raise the girls' +depressed spirits, and after they had changed into pretty afternoon +costumes and donned their coats and furs, they had at least, partially +forgotten their troubles of the morning. + +But not for long. As they sped along in the great, comfortable car, +each found her thoughts reverting to the sad episode, and oh, with what +varied feelings! + +Suddenly, Bernice broke out with a new theory. + +"I'll tell you what!" she exclaimed; "Uncle Jeff hid that thing +himself, to see how we would act! Then he pretended to suspect us! That +man is studying us! Oh, you needn't tell ME! I've noticed it ever since +we came. He watches everything we do, and when he says anything +especial, he looks closely, to see how we're going to take it." + +"I've noticed that, too," agreed Dolly. "But it's silly, Bernie, to +think he took his own jewel." + +"Just to test us, you know. I can't make out WHY he wants to study us +so, but maybe he's writing a book or something like that. Else why did +he want not only Alicia and me but two of our friends to come for this +visit? He studies us, not only as to our own characters, but the effect +we have on each other." + +Dotty looked at Bernice with interest. + +"You clever thing!" she cried; "I do believe you're right! I've caught +Uncle Forbes frequently looking at one or another of us with the most +quizzical expression and listening intently for our answers to some +question of right or wrong or our opinions about something." + +"I've noticed it," said Dolly, though in an indifferent tone, "but I +don't think he's studying us. I think he's so unused to young people +that everything we do seems strange to him. Why any of our fathers +would know what we're going to say before we say it. Mine would anyhow +and so would Dot's. But Mr. Forbes is surprised at anything we say or +do because he never saw girls at close range before. I think we +interest him just like his specimens do." + +"That's it," cried Dotty, "you've struck it, Doll. We're just specimens +to him. He's studying a new kind of creature! And, maybe he did want to +see what we'd do in given circumstances,--like an unjust accusation, +and so he arranged this tragic situation." + +"No," said Dolly, still in that unnerved, listless way, "no, that won't +do, Dotty. If it were true, he'd never let Mr. Fenn be so rude to us. +Why, this morning, I'm sure,--I KNOW,--Mr. Forbes was just as uncertain +of what had become of that earring as--as any of us were." + +"Well, have it your own way," and Dotty smiled good-naturedly at her +chum, "but here's my decision. That thing is lost. Somehow or other, +for some ridiculous reason, blame seems to be attached to my +Dollyrinda. I won't stand it! I hereby announce that I'm going to find +that missing gimcrack before I go back to my native heath,--if I have +to take all summer!" + +"Aren't you going home on Wednesday?" cried Dolly, looking aghast at +the idea. + +"Not unless that old thing is found! I'll telephone my dear parents not +to look for me until they see me. I'll hunt every nook and cranny of +Mr. Forbes' house, and when I get through, I'll hunt over again. But +find the thing, I will! So there, now!" + +"Why do you say Dolly is suspected?" asked Alicia. + +"Oh, you all know she is, just because she hooked the foolish thing +into her lace. She put it on the table after that, and every one of us +probably handled it, but no, it is laid to Dolly! Just because she's +the only one of us incapable of such a thing,--I guess!" + +"Why, Dot Rose, what a speech!" and Dolly almost laughed at the +belligerent Dotty. "None of us would take it wrongly, I'm sure--but--" + +"Well, but what?" demanded Alicia, as Dolly paused. + +"Oh, nothing, Alicia, but the same old arguments. +Mistake,--unintentional,--caught in our dresses,--and all that." Dolly +spoke wearily, as if worn out with the subject. + +"Well, I've a new theory," said Dotty, "I believe that Fenn man stole +it!" + +The other three laughed, but Dotty went on. "Yes, I do. You see, he's +never had a chance to take any of the treasures before, 'cause Uncle +Forbes would know he was the thief. But now he has all us four to lay +it on, so he made the most of his chance." + +"Oh, Dotty, I can't believe it!" said Bernice. "He didn't act like a +thief this morning. He was more like an avenging justice." + +"That's just his smartness! Make it seem as if we did it, you know." + +"Nothing in it," and Dolly smiled at Dotty's theory. "He wasn't here +yesterday, at all. He didn't know that I hooked the old thing on my +waist,--oh, I WISH I hadn't done that!" + +"Never you mind, Dollums," Dotty said, endearingly. "If he did do it, +we'll track him down. Because, girls, I tell you I'm going to find that +earring. And what Dorothy Rose says, goes! See?" + +Dotty's brightness cheered up the others, and as they drove through the +park, there were many sights of interest, and after a time the talk +drifted from the subject that had so engrossed them. + +And when at last they stopped at the new tea room and went in, the +beauty and gaiety of the place made them almost forget their trouble. + +"I'll have cafe parfait," said Dotty, "with heaps of little fancy +cakes. We can't get real FANCY cakes in Berwick, and I do love 'em!" + +The others were of a like mind, and soon they were feasting on the rich +and delicate confections that the modern tea room delights to provide. + +While they sat there, Muriel Brown came in, accompanied by two of her +girl friends. + +"Oh, mayn't we chum with you?" Muriel cried, and our four girls said +yes, delightedly. + +"How strange we should meet," said Dolly, but Muriel laughed and +responded, "Not so very, as I'm here about four or five days out of the +seven. I just simply love the waffles here, don't you?" + +And then the girls all laughed and chattered and the New Yorkers +invited the other four to several parties and small affairs. + +"New York is the most hospitable place I ever saw!" declared Dotty. "We +seem to be asked somewhere every day for a week." + +"Everybody's that," laughed Muriel. "But you must come to these things +we're asking you for, won't you?" + +"I don't believe we can promise," said Bernice, suddenly growing +serious. "You see, we may go home on Wednesday." + +"Day after to-morrow? Oh, impossible! Don't say the word!" And with a +laugh, Muriel dashed away the unwelcome thought. "I shall depend upon +you," she went on, "especially for the Friday party. That's one of the +best of all! You just MUST be at it!" + +"If we're here, we will," declared Alicia, carried away by the gay +insistence. "And I'm 'most sure Bernice and I will be here, even if the +others aren't." + +"I want you all," laughed Muriel, "but I'll take as many as I can get." + +Then into the limousine again, and off for home. + +"Oh," cried Dolly, "that horrid business! I had almost forgotten it!" + +"We can't forget it till it's settled," said Dotty, and her lips came +tightly together with a grim expression that she showed only when +desperately in earnest. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DOLLY'S RIDE + + +It was Tuesday morning that Lewis Fenn came to Dolly and asked her to +give him a few moments' chat. + +A little bewildered, Dolly followed Fenn into the reception room, and +they sat down, Fenn closing the door after them. + +"It's this way, Miss Fayre," he began. "I know you took the gold +earring. It's useless for you to deny it. It speaks for itself. You are +the only one of you girls especially interested in antiques, and +moreover, you are the one who handled the jewel last. Now, I don't for +a moment hold you guilty of stealing. I know that you thought the thing +of no very great intrinsic value, and as Mr. Forbes has so many such +things in his possession you thought one more or less couldn't matter +to him. So, overcome by your desire to keep it as a souvenir, and +because of its antique interest you involuntarily took it away with +you. Of course, searching your boxes is useless, for you have concealed +it some place in the house where no one would think of looking. Now, I +come to you as a friend, and advise you to own up. I assure you, Mr. +Forbes will forgive you and he will do so much more readily if you go +to him at once and confess." + +Dolly sat rigidly, through this long citation, her face growing whiter, +her eyes more and more frightened, as she listened. When Fenn paused, +she struggled to speak but couldn't utter a sound. She was speechless +with mingled emotions. She was angry, primarily, but other thoughts +rushed through her brain and she hesitated what attitude to assume. + +The secretary looked at her curiously. + +"Well?" he said, and there was a threatening tone in his voice. + +Dolly looked at him, looked straight into his accusing eyes, began to +speak, and then, in a burst of tears, she cried out, "Oh, how I HATE +you!" + +Dotty flung open the door and walked in. + +"I've been listening," she announced, "listening at the keyhole, to +hear what you said to my friend! I heard, and I will answer you. Dolly +Fayre no more took that earring, than you did, Mr. Fenn, and I'm +inclined to think from your manner, that you stole it yourself!" + +"What!" shouted Fenn, surprised out of his usual calm. "What do you +mean, you little minx?" + +"Just what I say," repeated Dotty, but Dolly had already fled from the +room. She went in search of Mrs. Berry, and found her in her own +bedroom. + +"Please, Mrs. Berry," said Dolly, controlling her sob-shaken voice, "I +want to go out, all by myself, a little while. May I?" + +"Goodness, child, what do you mean? Where? I'll go with you." + +"No; I want to go alone. I have to think something out all by myself. +Nobody can help me, and if I'm here, all the girls will butt in and +bother me." + +"Where are you going? For a walk?" + +"No, please. I want to ride on the top of a Fifth Avenue stage. I want +to go alone, and then, sitting up there, with the fresh air blowing +around me, I can think something out. I may go, mayn't I, Mrs. Berry? I +know all about the stages." + +"Why, yes, child, of course, you can go, if you really want to. You +can't come to any harm just riding on top of a bus. Run along. But I'd +rather you'd let me help you. Or go with you." + +"No, please; I must be alone. I don't want even Dotty. I have something +very serious to decide. No one can help me. My mother could, but she +isn't here." + +"I wish you'd try me," and the kind lady smiled endearingly. + +"I would if I could, and you're a dear to ask me. But this is a special +matter, and it troubles me awfully. So, I'll go off by myself for an +hour or so, and when I come back, I'll be all decided about it." + +Dolly got her hat and coat, without seeing the other girls at all. She +went out at the front door of the big Fifth Avenue house, and walked a +few blocks before she stopped to wait for a stage. + +"I don't care which way I go," she thought to herself, "I'll take the +first bus that comes along." + +The first one chanced to be going down-town, and signalling the +conductor, Dolly climbed the little winding stairs to the top. + +There were only half a dozen passengers up there, and Dolly sat down +near the front. + +It was a clear, crisp morning. The air was full of ozone, and no sooner +had Dolly settled herself into her seat, than she began to feel better. +Her mind cleared and she could combat the problems that were troubling +her. But she was in a dilemma. Should she go to Mr. Forbes and tell him +where the jewel was,--or, should she not? + +She wanted to be honest, she wanted to do right, but it would be a hard +task. The more she thought it over, the more she was perplexed, and +though her spirits were cheered by the pleasant ride, her troubles were +as far as ever from a solution. + +Down she went, down the beautiful Avenue, past the Sherman statue and +the Plaza fountain. On, past the Library, down through the shopping +district, and then Dolly concluded she would go on down to the +Washington Arch, and stay in the same bus for the return trip. + +But, before she realised it, she found the bus she was in had turned +East on Thirty-second Street, and was headed for the Railroad Station. +She started up, to get off the stage, but sat down again. + +"What's the use?" she thought. "I can just as well go on to the +station, and come back again. I only want the ride." + +So she went on, and at the station, she was asked to take another +stage. Down the stairs she climbed, and as she glanced at the great +colonnade of the building she realised that from there trains went +home! Home,--where mother was! + +Unable to resist, Dolly obeyed an impulse to enter the station. + +The warm, pleasant atmosphere of the arcade, soothed her nerves, and +she walked along, thinking deeply. + +She came to the stairs that led down to the waiting rooms, and a great +wave of homesickness came over her. + +She would go home! She had money with her, she would buy a ticket, and +go straight to Berwick! She couldn't, she simply COULD NOT face Uncle +Jeff and the girls, with her secret untold, and she would not tell it! + +Anyway, she couldn't go back to the house where that horrid Fenn was! +That was certain. + +She looked in her pocket-book, and tucked away in its folds was the +return half of her Berwick ticket! She had forgotten that she had it +with her. It seemed a finger of Fate pointing the way. + +"I will," she decided. "I will go back to Berwick. I'll ask about the +trains." + +Inquiry at the Information Department told her that there would be a +train for Berwick in half an hour, and Dolly went in and sat down in +the waiting room. + +Suddenly it struck her that the people at Mr. Forbes' would be alarmed +at her non-appearance, and would be very anxious for her safety. + +That would never do. She had no wish to disturb kind Mrs. Berry or to +scare Dotty half to death. + +She saw the telephone booths near by, and realised how easy it would be +to communicate with the house. + +She asked the operator for the number of Jefferson Forbes' residence +and in a moment was in the booth. + +The butler responded to her call, and Dolly did not ask for any one +else. + +"That you, McPherson?" she said, speaking as casually as she could. + +"Yes, Miss Fayre. Will you speak with Mrs. Berry?" + +"No; I'll give you a message. Please say to Miss Rose that I have gone +to Berwick." + +"To Berwick, miss?" + +"Yes; and tell Mrs. Berry the same. That's all, McPherson; no message +for any one else." + +"Yes, Miss Fayre. When will you be back, Miss Fayre?" + +"Not at all. Or, that is,--never mind that. Just say I have gone to +Berwick. I'll write to Miss Rose as soon as I get there." + +"Yes, Miss Fayre," and the butler hung up his receiver. It was not his +business if the ladies came or went. + +In obedience to orders, McPherson went to Mrs. Berry and delivered the +message. + +"The dear child," said the housekeeper, and the tears came to her eyes. +Of course, she knew about the earring episode, and until now she hadn't +suspected that Dolly really took it. But to run away practically proved +her guilt. So she had meant to go when she asked permission to go on +the bus! Mrs. Berry's heart was torn, for she loved Dolly best of the +four, and it was a blow to be thus forced to believe her guilty. She +quizzed the butler, but he had no further information to give. + +"She only said she was going, ma'am, and said for me to tell you and +Miss Rose. That's all." + +"I will tell Miss Rose," said Mrs. Berry, and dismissed the man. + +She thought deeply before going to find Dotty. She wondered if she +might yet stay Dolly's flight and persuade her to return. She looked up +a timetable, and found that the train for Berwick would leave in ten +minutes. Doubtless Dolly was already in the car. + +However, being a woman of energetic nature, Mrs. Berry telephoned to +the Railroad Station. She asked for a porter, and begged him to try to +find Dolly, whom she described, and ask her to come to the telephone. + +"I remember seeing that girl," said the negro porter. "She was walking +around sort of sad-like, and sort of uncertain. But I don't see her +now." + +"Look on the Berwick train," commanded Mrs. Berry, "and do it quickly. +If she's on the train, ask her to get off and answer my call. I think +she'll do it. Go quickly! I'll hold the wire." + +But it was within a few minutes of starting time; the train was +crowded, and after a short search the porter came back with the word +that he couldn't find her. "I could of," he said, "if I'd 'a' had a +minute more. But the Train Despatcher put me off, and they started. +Sorry, ma'am." + +"I'm sorry, too," and Mrs. Berry sighed as she realised how near she +had come to success, only to fail. + +She thought a few moments longer, then she went to find Dotty. + +That young person, she discovered, to her astonishment, was up in Mr. +Forbes' own study, on the fourth floor. Dotty had insisted on an +interview with her host after the stormy time she had with his +secretary. + +Mr. Forbes had received her, not at all unwillingly, for he wanted to +get at the truth of the unpleasant matter. + +"Dolly never took it!" Mrs. Berry heard Dotty, declare, as she +approached the door. "Either it's just lost, or else Mr. Fenn stole +it,--or else--" + +"Or else what?" asked Mr. Forbes, as Dotty paused. + +"I don't like to say," and Dotty twisted her finger nervously; "I do +suspect somebody,--at least, I fear maybe I do, a little bit, but I +won't say anything about it, unless you keep on blaming Dolly. Then I +will!" + +"I have something to tell you," said Mrs. Berry, entering. "Dolly has +gone home." + +"What!" cried Mr. Forbes and Dotty simultaneously. Lewis Fenn smiled. + +"Yes," continued Mrs. Berry, "she has gone home to Berwick. She came to +me and asked if she might go for a ride on top of a Fifth Avenue stage, +to think things out by herself,--she said. Then, a little later, she +telephoned from the Pennsylvania Station that she was just taking the +train for Berwick." + +"I don't believe it!" cried Dotty. "Who told you?" + +"McPherson. He took the message. Dolly said to tell you, Dotty, and to +tell me, but she sent no word to any one else." + +"Looks bad," said Mr. Forbes, shaking his head. + +"I told you so!" said Lewis Fenn, nodding his. "I knew when I flatly +accused Miss Fayre this morning of taking the earring, that she was the +guilty one. Understand me, she didn't mean to steal. She didn't look +upon it as theft. She only took a fancy to the bauble, and appropriated +it without really thinking it wrong. As a child would take a worthless +little trinket, you know." + +Dotty looked stunned. She paid no attention to Fenn's talk; she stared +at Mrs. Berry, saying, "Has she really gone?" + +"Yes, dear," answered the sympathetic lady, "she has. Perhaps it's the +best thing. She'll tell her mother all about it, and then we'll know +the truth." + +"Yes, she'll confess to her mother," said Fenn, and he grinned in +satisfaction. + +"Shut up, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes. "I'm not at all sure Dolly is the +culprit. If I know that girl, she wouldn't run away if she were +guilty,--but she might if she were unjustly accused." + +"That's generous of you, sir," said the secretary, "but you know +yourself that when I taxed Miss Fayre definitely with the deed, she +immediately went off, pretending that she was just going for a ride, +and would return. That piece of deception doesn't look like innocence, +I think you must admit!" + +"No, no, it doesn't. Dotty, did you say you had some other suspicion? +What is it?" + +"I can't tell it now. I can't understand Dolly. I know, oh, I KNOW she +never took the earring, but I can't understand her going off like that. +She never pretends. She's never deceitful--" + +"She surely was this time," and Fenn seemed to exult in the fact. + +"Maybe she changed her plan after she started," suggested Dotty +delorously. + +"Not likely," mused Mr. Forbes. "It was unprecedented for her to go +alone for a bus ride, but if it was because she wanted to get off home +secretly, it is, of course, very plausible. She didn't want any of you +girls to know she was going, lest you persuade her not to. She didn't +want to go in my car alone, as that would seem strange. But to take a +bus, that was really a clever way to escape unnoticed!" + +"I'm surprised that she telephoned back at all," said Mr. Fenn. + +"Of course, she would!" said Dotty, indignantly. "She didn't want us to +think she was lost or worry about her safety." + +"She was most considerate," said Fenn, sarcastically. + +"Oh, stop!" cried Dotty, at the very end of her patience with the man. +"You're enough to drive any one distracted!" + +"Let the child alone, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes; "your manner IS +irritating." + +"The whole affair is irritating," returned the secretary, "but it is +now in a way to be cleared up, I think. We shall hear from Miss Fayre's +parents, I'm sure." + +"What IS going on?" spoke up Alicia from the doorway, and she and +Bernice came into the room. "I know we're forbidden up here, but +Dotty's here, so we came, too. What's the matter?" + +"Dolly's gone home," said Mr. Forbes, looking at his nieces. + +"Dolly has!" exclaimed Bernice. "What for?" + +"Because she was persecuted!" Dotty replied, "and unjustly accused, and +suspected, and her life made generally miserable! I don't blame her for +going home! I'm going, too." + +"When did she go? Who took her?" Alicia asked. + +"She went alone," said Mrs. Berry, and she gave them the details of +Dolly's departure. + +"Well, I am surprised," said Bernice, but Alicia began to cry softly. + +"Yes, cry, Alicia!" said Dotty, turning on her. + +"I should think you WOULD! YOU made Dolly go! YOU know where that +earring thing is!" + +"I do not!" and Alicia stared at Dotty. + +"Well, you know something more than you've told!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +WAS IT ALICIA? + + +"What do you mean by that speech Dotty?" asked Bernice, as Alicia kept +on crying. + +"I mean just what I say. Alicia knows where the earring is, or, if she +doesn't know that, she knows something about it that she won't tell us." + +"What is it, Alicia?" said her uncle, kindly. "If you know anything at +all, tell us, won't you?" + +"I don't, Uncle. I don't know ANYTHING about it!" and Alicia wept more +than ever. + +"Well, the thing to do is to find it," said Fenn gazing closely at +Alicia. "Where we find it will disclose who took it." + +"I agree with you, Mr. Fenn," said a voice from the doorway, and there +stood Dolly Fayre! + +"Oh," cried Dotty, "I knew you wouldn't run away!" + +"I did," returned Dolly, looking very sober. "I couldn't stand things +here, and I was tempted to go home." + +"Did you start out with that idea?" asked Dotty. + +"No; never thought of such a thing when I went out. But I took a bus +that turned around and went to the station, so that made me think of +Berwick and I got homesick for mother, and I just couldn't help wanting +to go to her. And I telephoned back here that I was going. Then, I had +no sooner done that, than it seemed to me a cowardly thing to do, after +all, and I changed my mind quick and came right back here. I rode up on +top of a stage, and the trip in this lovely bright air made me feel a +heap better. Now then, I want to say, once for all, that I didn't take +that earring, but I'm going to find out who DID, and also I'm going to +find the jewel. I don't know which I'll find first, but one means the +other." + +"Just what I said, Miss Fayre," exclaimed Fenn. "I'll join forces with +you, and we'll see about this thing. We'll find the missing jewel and +we'll find out who took it, but we'll have to put up a search." + +"All my things are at your disposal," said Dolly; "look through all my +cupboards and bureau drawers as you like. I'm not afraid." + +"Of course not," said Fenn, "after your absence this morning! You had a +fine opportunity to dispose of the jewel!" + +"How dare you!" cried Dolly, turning white with rage. "I have told you +truthfully where I went and why." + +"Let her alone, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes, sharply. "You talk too much. +Run along now, girls; we'll let the matter rest for to-day. I'll +consult with Mr. Fenn, and I don't think we'll search your belongings. +I can't think any one of you has intentionally concealed the jewel. +It's lost but not stolen, that's what I think." + +"You dear old thing!" and Bernice impulsively threw her arms around her +uncle's neck. "I think you're right. But it must be found!" + +"It must be found!" repeated Dolly. "Otherwise suspicion will always +rest on me." + +"Not on you any more than the rest of us," declared Dotty, "but there's +no use in hunting any more in this room. It simply isn't here." + +They had searched the room in which the jewel had been kept, thoroughly +and repeatedly. So the girls went off to their own rooms to talk it all +over again. + +"You're too hard on them, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes to his secretary, when +they were alone. + +"But it's a clear case, sir. That Fayre girl took it. She got scared +and tried to run home, then decided it would be better to face the +music, so she returned. She's the one, of course. She adores those old +trinkets; the others don't care two cents for them. She put it on her +dress,--probably she took it off again, but after that the temptation +to possess the thing was too strong for her. She thought you'd not miss +it, and she carried it off. Then, when she was out this morning, she +either threw it away, or secreted it somewhere. Perhaps she took it to +some friend for safe keeping." + +"I don't believe it, Fenn. I've studied the four girls pretty closely +and Dolly Fayre is, I think, the most frank and honest and +conscientious of them all. Why, I'd suspect either of my own nieces +before I Would Dolly." + +"You're generous, sir. But you're mistaken. Miss Fayre is the culprit, +and we'll fasten the theft on her yet." + +"I hope not,--I sincerely hope not. But it's a queer business, Fenn, a +very queer business." + +"It's all of that, Mr. Forbes, but we'll get at the truth of it yet." + +Meantime the four girls were talking over the matter. But not all +together. The two D's, in their own room, and the other two girls in +theirs were having separate confabs. + +"Now, Dolly Fayre," Dotty was saying, "you tell me EVERYTHING you know +about this thing! I don't want any holding back or concealing of any +suspicions or doubts you may have." + +"It isn't really a suspicion, Dotty, but I--will tell you. It's only +that just as we left the room, the museum room I call it, yesterday +afternoon, we were all out, and Alicia ran back. She said she had left +her handkerchief on the table. And she went straight to that very table +where I had laid the earring. Now, I can't suspect Alicia, but that's +what she did." + +"Well, Dolly," and Dotty looked thoughtful, "that's enough to cast +suspicion on her. She went to that very table?" + +"Yes. Of course, I didn't think anything about it at the time, but now +I remember it distinctly. That's why I wanted to go home and tell +Mother all about it, and ask her if I ought to tell Mr. Forbes about +Alicia." + +"I see. I don't know myself what you ought to do. I've been thinking it +might be Alicia all the time. I hate to suspect her, as much as you do. +But if she ran back, and went to that table, and then the jewel that +laid there was gone, it certainly looks queer. Decidedly queer." + +"Well, what shall I do?" + +"I suppose you'll have to keep still, unless you're actually accused of +taking it. You can't very well tell on Alicia." + +"That's what I think." + +"But if they really accuse you,--and Mr. Fenn has already done so." + +"Oh, Fenn! I don't care what he says. If Mr. Forbes doesn't think I +took it, I don't want to say anything about Alicia." + +"Well, let's wait and see. After what you've just told me, I think she +did take it. But I don't WANT to think that." + +Now, in the next room, Alicia and Bernice were talking confidentially +and in low tones. + +"Of course, Dolly must have taken it," Alicia said, slowly. + +"I can't believe that," said Bernice. "I know Dolly Fayre awfully well, +and I just about 'most KNOW she couldn't do such a thing." + +"I daresay she never was tempted before. You can't tell what you may do +until there's a sudden temptation. She might have thought it was no +harm, when Uncle Jeff has so many of such trinkets. She might have +thought he'd never miss it--" + +"No," dissented Bernice. "Dolly never thought out those things. If she +did take it, it was just on the spur of the moment, and, as you say, +because of a sudden irresistible temptation. And the minute after she +was doubtless sorry, but then she was ashamed to confess or return it." + + It was luncheon time then, and the girls went downstairs together, +with no disclosures of their suspicions of each other. + +At the luncheon table the subject was freely discussed. + +Dolly explained to Mrs. Berry that, after she had telephoned she was +going home, she felt that it was a cowardly thing to do, and that she +ought to remain and see the matter through. + +"You see," Dolly said, smiling, "it was a sudden temptation, when I got +to the station, to go home. Just the sight of the ticket office, and +the train gates, gave me a wave of homesickness and I wanted to see +Mother so terribly, that I thought I'd just go. But as soon as I'd +telephoned, I realised that I oughtn't to do it, so I came right back +here. I didn't telephone I'd changed my mind, for I thought I'd be here +so soon. Mrs. Berry, what do you think became of the earring?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure, my dear. I don't think I could ever believe +that any one of you girls took it with any wrong intent. Did one of you +just borrow it? To study it as a curio or anything like that?" + +"No!" cried Bernice. "That's absurd. If I'd wanted to do that I should +have asked Uncle's permission." + +"Of course you would," and good Mrs. Berry sighed at the undoubted +fallacy of her theory. + +It was during luncheon that the telephone bell rang, and Geordie Knapp +invited the girls to a matinee at the Hippodrome. + +"They must come," he said to Mrs. Berry, who had answered his call. +"Please let them. It's a big party. We've three boxes; my mother is +going with us, and all the rest are young people. I know your girls +will like it." + +"Of course they will," Mrs. Berry replied. "I'll be glad to have them +go. Wait; I'll ask them." + +The invitation was heard with delight, and Bernice answered Geordie for +the others that they'd all be glad to go. + +"Good!" cried Geordie. "We'll call for you in our big car. Be ready on +time." + +They promised and hastened through luncheon to go to dress. + +"I'm glad you're going," kind Mrs. Berry said; "it'll take your minds +off this old earring business. Have a real good time, and don't even +think of anything unpleasant." + +So the girls started off in gay spirits, resolved not to worry over the +lost jewel. + +During the intermission at the matinee Dotty chanced to be talking to +Geordie alone, and she told him about the mystery, and asked him what +he thought. The boy was greatly interested, and asked for all the +details. So Dotty told him all, even of Dolly's seeing Alicia return to +the room and go to the table by the window. + +"Jiminy crickets!" said Geordie, "that looks bad! But I can't believe +Alicia would take it, nor any of you others. Let me talk to Alicia; I +won't accuse her, you know, but maybe I can gather something from the +way she talks." + +So by changing of seats Geordie found opportunity to talk to Alicia +about the matter. To his surprise, she willingly discussed it, and, +moreover, she made no secret of the fact that she suspected Dolly of +taking it. She said she felt sure that Dolly did it, meaning no great +harm, but probably being over-tempted. "Why," said Alicia, "she said +only at luncheon that when she was at the Railroad Station she was so +tempted to go home to her mother that she very nearly went. So, you +see, she is given to sudden temptations and I suppose she can't always +resist them." + +Geordie considered. "I don't believe she took it, Alicia," he said; +"either it's slipped behind something, or else somebody else got in and +took it. It never was one of you four girls! I'm SURE it wasn't If I +could be over there for an hour or so, I'll bet I could find it. I'm +pretty good at such things. S'pose I go home with you after the show; +may I?" + +"Oh, I wish you would! If you could find that thing, you would be a joy +and a blessing!" + +And so, after the performance was over, Geordie Knapp and Ted Hosmer +both went to Mr. Forbes' house with the four girls. + +Alicia asked her uncle's permission for them all to go up to the museum +rooms, and he gave it. He was not entirely willing, for he rarely +allowed visitors to his collections, but Alicia coaxed until he gave in. + +"It can't be that Alicia took it," Dotty whispered to Dolly, "for she +is so willing to have Geordie investigate." + +Ted Hosmer was as anxious as Geordie to hunt for the earring, but when +he reached the rooms of the collections he was so interested in looking +at the specimens that he nearly forgot what they came for. + +"Look at the birds!" he cried, as they passed through the Natural +History room on the way to the antiques. + +"You like birds?" asked Dolly, as she saw his eyes brighten at the +sights all round him. "Yes, indeed! I've a small collection myself, but +nothing like this! I study about birds every chance I get. Oh, see the +humming birds! Aren't they beautiful?" + +But Dolly persuaded him to leave the birds and butterflies and go on to +the antique room. + +Here the girls told their two visitors all about the earring and its +disappearance. Mr. Fenn was not present, for which Dolly was deeply +grateful. + +Mr. Forbes watched the two boys quizzically. Then he said, + +"Go to it, Geordie. Do a little detective work. If any of my four +visitors took it, make them own up. I won't scold them; I'm anxious +only to know which one it was." + +"You don't really think it was any of them, I know, Mr. Forbes, or you +wouldn't speak like that," said Ted. "I know you think as I do, that +some queer mischance or accident is responsible for the disappearance. +But WHAT was that accident, and WHERE is the jewel?" + +The two boys searched methodically. They did not look into cupboards or +drawers; they asked questions and tried to think out some theory. + +"Could any one have come in at the window?" asked Ted. + +"No chance of that," said Mr. Forbes, "considering the window is in the +fourth story, and no balcony, or any way of reaching it from the +ground." + +Geordie stuck his head out of the window in question. + +"Who lives next door?" he said, looking across the narrow yard to the +next house. + +"People named Mortimer," replied Mr. Forbes. "But they're all away from +home. They're somewhere down South." + +"There's somebody over there. I see a light in one of the rooms." + +"A caretaker, maybe. But don't be absurd. It's all of ten or twelve +feet across to that house from our back extension to theirs. Are you +thinking somebody could spring across, take the jewel and spring back +again?" + +"That ISN'T very likely, is it?" Ted laughed, "but there's some +explanation, somewhere," and the boy shook his head. "You see, Mr. +Forbes, somebody might have made entrance to this room after the girls +left it Sunday afternoon, and before you discovered your loss." + +"Somebody might," agreed Mr. Forbes, "but I can't quite see how. Surely +no intruder came up by way of the stairs; I can't believe any one came +in by the window, and what other way is there?" + +"Suppose," said Geordie, earnestly, "suppose the caretaker, or whoever +is next door, saw you people examining the earring by the light from +the window,--you were by the window, weren't you?" + +"Yes," said Dolly, to whom he had put the question. "Yes, it was +growing dusk, and I stepped to the window to look at the gold work." + +"Well, suppose this caretaker person saw you, and realised the jewel +was valuable. Then suppose after you all went out and left the earring +on this little table, which is only ten or twelve inches from the +window, suppose the caretaker leaned out of his window, and, with a +long pole, with a hook on the end, fished the thing over to himself." + +"Ridiculous!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Nobody could do such a thing as that! +Absurd, my boy! Why, even a long fishpole would scarcely be long +enough, and he couldn't get purchase enough on the end--" + +"I admit it sounds difficult, sir, but they do pretty clever things +that way." + +"And, too, I can't suspect my neighbour's servants! Why, I've not the +slightest cause for such suspicion!" + +"Oh, no, I can't think it's that way, either," said Dolly. "Why, that +caretaker is a nice old man. I've heard Mrs. Berry tell about him. His +room is just opposite hers, two floors beneath this very room we're in +now. He has a parrot that chatters and annoys Mrs. Berry, but the old +man is honest, I'm sure. And he's too old to be agile enough to do such +an acrobatic thing as you suggest." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A CLEVER IDEA + + +Ted Hosmer looked at Dolly as she spoke, and a sudden light came into +his eyes. + +"By Jiminy!" he said, and he drew a sharp little whistle. "I say, +Dolly, where is your Mrs. Berry?" + +"Oh, no, Ted," Dolly laughed, "you can't connect Mrs. Berry with this +matter any more than you can the Mortimers' servants. Mrs. Berry didn't +do it." + +"I didn't say she did," returned Ted, smiling at her. "But where is +she, that's all." + +"I don't know. Probably in her room." + +"Take me there, will you? I must see her at once. Why, I've got an +idea!" + +"Goodness, Ted!" exclaimed Geordie. "What a strange piece of news!" + +"Don't be funny!" said Ted; "I say, Dolly, take me to speak to Mrs. +Berry, won't you?" + +"Why, of course, if you like,--come on." + +Dolly led the way and Ted followed. The others paid little attention, +for Geordie was thinking out a new theory of how somebody could get +across from the next house, by means of scuttles to the roofs on the +front part of the houses. Of course, in front the houses were attached, +but the back extensions were only one room wide, thus giving ground +space for tiny back yards. + +A tap on Mrs. Berry's door was answered, and the two were admitted. + +"What is it?" and the housekeeper looked a little surprised at her +visitors. + +"May we look out of your window?" asked Ted, politely. + +"Surely," was the reply. "But what for?" + +Ted, however, already had raised the window and was looking out. It was +dark, or nearly, and the house next door showed a dim light in the room +opposite the one they were in. + +The shade was down at the window, so they saw nothing of the room but a +few indistinct shadows. + +"Tell us something about the old caretaker next door, won't you?" +begged Ted, and Mrs. Berry responded: "Now, don't suspect him! Why, old +Joe is the most honest man in the city! I've known him for years, and +I'm sure he wouldn't steal a pin! Mr. Mortimer trusts him absolutely." + +"But tell us a little about him." + +"There's nothing to tell, only that he stays there alone when the +family go away. He lives, practically, in the two rooms; that room +opposite and the kitchen. He has no company but his parrot; he makes a +great pet of that." + +"A nice Polly?" + +"A handsome bird, yes. But a nuisance with its continual squawking and +chattering." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Berry; I believe that's all. Pardon our intrusion. +We'll go now. Come along, Dolly." + +Dolly followed Ted from the room, and he said, "Don't go back upstairs +yet. Come along with me." + +"Where?" + +"Never mind. Come on," and, making a gesture for her to be silent, Ted +piloted her down the main staircase and out of the front door. + +"Gracious! I won't go another step till you tell me where we're going!" + +"Of course I'll tell you. We're going next door. Come on; you don't +need wraps; it's just a step." + +Taking her hand, Ted led her down the Forbes' steps and up those of the +house next door. He rang the bell and they waited. In a moment, +shuffling steps were heard and an old man opened the door. + +"That you, Joe?" said Ted, pleasantly. "Let us come in for a moment, +please." + +"I don't know you, young sir, but if I'm not mistaken, this is one of +the little ladies from next door." + +"Quite right. We intend no harm, I assure you. Let us come in for a +minute or two." + +The old man let them enter and closed the door behind them. + +"How's your parrot?" asked Ted, conversationally. + +Old Joe looked surprised, but he answered courteously, "Polly is well, +as usual." + +"What kind of a bird is he?" + +"A parrot, sir." + +"I don't mean that. Is he honest or--or gives to thievery?" + +"Oh, sir, he's the thievingest beast in the world, that he is! I don't +dare leave a thing around I'm not willing for him to take if he wants +it." + +"Yes, just so. And does he ever go out of this house?" + +"No,--oh, no." + +Ted's face fell. Dolly's, too, for she began to see what Ted had in +mind. But if Polly never left the Mortimer house, surely he didn't fly +over and steal the earring. + +"Could I go up to the room where the bird is?" said Ted, trying to +conceal his disappointment at the collapse of his theory. + +"Yes, sir, if you like, or I'll bring the bird down here." + +"We'll go up, please," and Dolly and Ted followed the old man to the +room on the second floor, which was opposite Mrs. Berry's. + +They looked in and saw the bird in his cage, hanging from a bracket +near the window. + +"Pretty Polly," said Ted, walking toward the cage. "Nice Polly. Polly +want a cracker?" + +The bird cocked his head on one side, but said nothing. + +"And you're sure he never leaves his cage?" said Ted, examining the +fastening on the cage door. + +"Well, sir, he does leave his cage. I said he doesn't leave this house. +That is,--not often. So seldom as to call it never." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Well, a few days ago,--I'm thinking it was Sunday,--the bird let +himself out of his cage. The latch broke, do you see, and he could push +the door open with his claw. I came into the room, and there he was +stalking up and down the floor with a knowing look. I soon found how he +got out of the cage and I fixed the latch so he can't do it again. I +let him out often, but I'm not going to have him letting himself out." + +"Sunday, was it?" and Dolly's eyes brightened as Ted went on with his +questions. "And you weren't here when he got out of his cage?" + +"No, sir. But I came in soon and he was marching along the floor, +winking at me." + +"And was the window open?" + +Old Joe stopped to think. "No," he said, finally, and Dolly gave a sigh +of despair. If the window had been open, there was a possibility that +Polly had been the thief. + +"Can he fly?" she put in. + +"Fly? Yes, that he can. That's why I'm careful to keep him shut up +here. I wouldn't like him to fly over and annoy Mrs. Berry. He did that +once a year ago, and the lady was right down mad about it." + +"Think again, Joe. Couldn't this window have been open Sunday, when +Polly got out of his cage?" + +"Well, now, I do believe it was! Wasn't Sunday that warm, pleasant day? +Yes? Well, then, come to think of it, this here window WAS open! My! it +was a good thing Mr. Polly didn't walk out of it!" + +"But that's just what he did do,--I believe!" + +"What, sir? What do you mean?" + +"Well, I'll tell you. A small article has disappeared from the house +next door, from a room on this side, just above Mrs. Berry's room. It's +a hard matter to find out what became of the thing, a small trinket of +jewellery, and I'm in hopes that your bird flew over and took it, +because that will let out certain very much worried human beings!" + +"Oh, I can't think Polly did that!" + +"Can he fly as far as to go up to that window two stories higher than +this? You say he can fly, but would he be likely to fly UP?" + +"If so be that window was open he might. He's a born thief, that bird +is. But in that case, what did he do with it? A jewel, you say?" + +"Yes, an old, very old earring." + +"Ah!" and Joe started; "of fine work, but all broken and bent?" + +"I don't know. How about that, Dolly?" + +"It was old, and it was fine gold work. But it wasn't bent or broken." + +"Then it's not the same," said Joe. "Polly has a lot of playthings, and +some old imitation jewellery that Mrs. Mortimer lets him have because +he loves such things. And it was Monday, yes, yesterday, he had an old +piece of stuff that I didn't remember seeing before, but I paid little +attention to it. And it was that bent and twisted it can't have been +the thing you're searching for. No, that it couldn't." + +"I suppose not," said Ted, but Dolly said, "Let us see it, anyway, +can't you? Maybe Polly bent it up himself." + +Old Joe went and searched through a lot of broken bits of metal tilings +in a box on the table. + +"Here it is," he said. "You see how it's worn out!" + +"That's it!" cried Dolly. "Oh, Ted, THAT'S the earring! Hooray!" + +"Is it? Hooray!" shouted Ted. "REALLY, oh, it's too good to be true! +Polly MUST have taken it, Joe." + +"Yes, he must have done so, if Miss, here, says it's the one. But let +me figger it out. I s'pose when Polly opened his cage door, the open +window attracted him, and he flew out. Then as the other windows in the +Forbes house were closed, he made for that one that was open. Was +nobody in the room?" + +"No," said Dolly, "not when the jewel was taken. I left it on a table, +near the window, and--" + +"Yes, Miss, I see! Polly was tempted by the glittering thing; he loves +glitter, and he snatched it up and flew right back home with it. He hid +it somewhere; that's his thievish nature, and when I came in here he +was walking up and down the floor as innocent appearin' as a lamb! Oh, +you wicked Polly!" + +"Wick-ed Polly!" screeched the bird. "Naughty Polly!" + +"Yes, very naughty Polly!" said Ted. "But a good Polly, after all, to +get us out of our troubles!" + +"Then, you see," continued Old Joe, "that villainous bird, he hid his +treasure, and when I let him out yesterday, just to fly around the +room, he found it out again, and he hent and broke it all up." + +"Well, never mind!" Dolly cried, "as long as we have it! Oh, Ted, how +clever of you to think of it! I'm so glad! Come, let's hurry home and +tell about it! My, won't they all rejoice!" + +"Shall I go over and make my apologies to Mr. Forbes?" asked Joe, +anxiously. + +"No; at least, not now. Mr. Forbes won't hold you at all to blame. It +was merely coincidence that the bird happened to get out of his cage, +just when the jewel lay there unprotected," said Ted. + +"And, he'd taken something else if he hadn't found that. Anything +glittering or sparkling catches his eye, and he steals it. But 'tis +seldom he gets a chance outside the house." + +"Why do you keep such a bird?" asked Dolly. + +"He isn't mine. I wouldn't care to have him. He belongs to Mrs. +Mortimer, and she only laughs at his thievin' traits. She thinks +they're cunning. So, I must needs take good care of him. 'Twas careless +of me to leave the window open, and him here alone. But I didn't think +he could break loose from his cage. I'm thinkin' the door was ajar." + +"Well, we're much obliged to you and to Polly. Oh, just think if you +hadn't reasoned it out, Ted, we never would have known the truth! You +see, Joe thought the earring was one of Polly's own belongings, so, of +course, he never would have paid any attention to it." + +"That I wouldn't, Miss. I supposed it was some of the trinkets the +missus gave him. She buys 'em for him at the five-and-ten. He breaks +'em as fast as he gets 'em!" + +"I hope this can be straightened out, and I think it can," said Dolly, +as she looked at the bent gold work. + +"I'm sure it can," agreed Ted, "but anyway, it solves the mystery and +clears you girls! Hooray! Hurroo!! Come on, let's go and tell them all." + +The two dashed into the Forbes house next door, and found the rest of +them down in the drawing room, wondering what had become of Dolly and +Ted. + +With a beaming face and dancing eyes, Dolly went straight to Mr. Forbes +and dangled the bent and twisted earring before his surprised +countenance. + +"Bless my soul!" he cried, as he saw it. "Did you--where did you find +it?" + +Dolly realised that he had been about to say, "Did you decide to own +up?" or something like that, and she was glad that he changed his +sentence. + +"Next door!" she exclaimed, for Ted stood back and let her have the +pleasure of telling. "That old parrot came and stole it!" + +"Oh! the parrot!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Why, of course! I see it all! Why +didn't _I_ think of that? Once before, I saw that bird light on my +window sill and I shooed him off. Strange I didn't think of that +solution!" + +"Tell us more!" cried Dotty; "who thought of a parrot? Whose parrot is +it? How did he get in? When?" + +"Wait a minute, Dot," said Dolly, laughing, "and I'll tell you all +about it. You tell some, Ted, I'm all out of breath!" + +So Ted told the whole story of their visit to the next house. + +"And I thought it was n. g. when the old chap said the window in his +room wasn't open. Also, when he said the bird never left that house, I +thought again we were off the track. But when we went on to discuss the +matter, and he said the bird was a born thief, and also he finally +remembered that his window was open on Sunday afternoon, why I felt +sure we had found the culprit. Then, the old fellow produced the +earring, which he had seen, but had scarcely noticed, thinking it was +some of the bird's own junk. It seems Polly also collects antiques!" + +"Well, well, Hosmer, my boy, you did well to think of such a solution +to our mystery! What put you on the track in the first place?" + +"I think it was the birds of your collection, sir. I'm very fond of +birds and bird study, and I know a lot about parrots, and their ways. +Well, seeing all your stuffed birds, put birds in my head, I suppose; +any way, when Dolly spoke of a parrot next door that annoyed Mrs. +Berry, I thought right away of how that Polly bird would like to grab a +gold trinket if he had a good chance. So I looked up his chances, and I +began to realise that if your window was open, the one in the other +house might have been too. Sunday was such a warm, pleasant day. So, I +looked into matters a little, and concluded we'd better go over there. +I didn't say what we were going for, because it might easily have +turned out a wild goose chase--" + +"Instead of a wild parrot chase!" said Alicia. "Oh, isn't it just fine +that it's found!" + +"I guess old Fenn will be surprised," said Dotty, with an angry shake +of her dark head. "He tried his best to fasten it on Dolly--" + +"Fasten the earring on?" asked Geordie Knapp, laughing. + +"No; I did that myself," rejoined Dolly. "Oh, Uncle Forbes, you didn't +think I took it, did you?" + +"I didn't know what to think. No thought of that bird came into my +mind. And so I had to cudgel my brain to think how it did disappear. +For I HAD to know! Yes, I positively HAD to know!" + +"Of course," agreed Bernice. "You didn't want to lose that jewel." + +"It wasn't only that, there was another reason, a reason that I'll tell +you some day." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +FOUR CELEBRATIONS + + +Next morning at breakfast, each of the four girls found a note at her +plate. The notes were all alike, and they read: + +Mr. Jefferson Forbes, because of his great delight over the discovery +of his lost piece of property, invites you to a celebration occasion, +to-morrow, Thursday evening. Mr. Forbes would say, also, that he has +obtained the consent of all interested parents, that you may stay till +Saturday. Mr. Jefferson Forbes will be glad of suggestions as to what +form said celebration shall assume. + +They all laughed at the formal style and stilted language of the notes, +and were amazed at the information that they were to make a longer +visit than they had thought. + +Mrs. Berry smiled at the shower of questions that followed the reading +of the notes, but she only said, "Don't ask me, my dears. After +breakfast, Mr. Forbes will meet you in the reception room and discuss +it." + +So a merry group of four awaited the coming of their host in the pretty +little reception room. + +"Good morning," he said, cheerily, as he entered, "What an attractive +bunch of humanity! Four smiling faces and eight bright eyes! I greet +you all." + +With an old-fashioned bow, he took a seat near them, and asked, "Did +you receive certain important documents?" + +"We did," replied Bernice. "May we have further enlightenment?" + +"You may, and first I will remove that anxious look from Dolly's face, +by saying that her mother is perfectly willing that she should stay +here the rest of the week." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly. "How did you ask her? By telephone?" + +"Yes. So pleased was I over the developments of last evening, that I +telephoned all the powers that be, and arranged for an extension to our +house party. Are you glad?" + +"Indeed we are," chorused the girls, and Uncle Jeff went on. + +"Now, our celebration is to be just whatever you want. And if you don't +all want the same thing, you can all have different things. So just +state your preferences." + +"I know mine," said Alicia, "it is to go to Muriel Brown's party on +Friday night. She asked us, and I'd love to go." + +"That's one," said her uncle. "Of course you can all go to the party. +Now, Bernice, what do you choose?" + +"I'd like to go to the opera," said Bernice. "Grand opera, I mean. I've +never been but once, and I'd love to go." + +"Good! We'll go to-night. If you all agree?" + +They certainly did agree to that, and then Mr. Forbes asked the two D's +to choose. + +"I want to go to the Metropolitan Museum,--with you!" said Dolly, half +afraid to ask such a boon. But Mr. Forbes seemed pleased, and declared +he would be delighted to go with her, and explain the exhibits and the +others could go or not, as they liked. All decided in favour of going, +and then Dotty was asked to choose. + +"Don't laugh at me," said Dotty, "but I'd like to have a party. Only, +not a big one. Just us four girls, and the four boys, that we know the +best; Geordie, Ted, Marly Turner and Sam Graves. I like that sort of a +party better than the big, dressy ones." + +"Why, Dot Rose!" exclaimed Alicia, "I thought you liked the big dances." + +"So I do, if I knew the people. But I think it would be lots of fun to +have a few, and have a less formal party. I'd like to ask Muriel Brown, +and two or three of those girls we met with her, the other day, and +then, have a few more boys; but not a hundred, like Muriel had." + +"A good plan," said Mr. Forbes, "because you couldn't invite a large +party on such short notice. So, make out your list, Dotty, and invite +them by telephone at once. Mrs. Berry will help you, and will arrange +all details. Let me see, you can have that party to-morrow night; go to +the opera to-night; go to Muriel's party on Friday night, and go home +on Saturday. The museum we can visit any afternoon. I thank you for +your kind attention." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff, we thank YOU for your kindness, all of it," cried +Alicia. "You have been so very good to us, and now you are doing a lot +more for our pleasure." + +"Have you enjoyed it all, so far, Alicia?" and her uncle looked at her +inquiringly. + +"Oh, yes, sir, indeed I have! I was troubled about the lost earring, +but that was not your fault." + +"Nor the fault of any of you girls," said Mr. Forbes. "As I have hinted +to you, I have a reason for this visit you are making me, beside a +desire to give you pleasure. I am considering a serious matter and this +stay of yours in my house is helping me to a decision." + +"What can it be, Uncle?" cried Bernice. "Tell us, so we can help you +more, and more intelligently." + +"I will tell you Saturday morning," he returned with a smile. "Perhaps +in that time other developments may occur that will alter my final +decision in the matter." + +"It sounds most mysterious," laughed Dolly, "can't we guess what it's +all about?" + +"You may guess, if you like, but I don't promise to tell you if you +guess correctly. And I don't mind adding, that I feel pretty sure you +couldn't guess correctly, if you tried!" + +"No use trying, then!" said Alicia, gaily. "Oh, I'm so glad we're going +to stay longer. I want to do a lot of things beside the celebrations +we've just planned. I do think you're the best and kindest uncle in the +whole world! I've got a secret, too, and some day I'm going to tell it +to you all." + +"Secrets seem to be the order of the day," laughed Dolly; "we'll have +to scrape up one, Dot." + +"Well, it's no secret that we're having one grand, glorious, good +time!" said Dotty. "What's on for this morning?" + +Mr. Forbes went off to his own room then, and the girls planned out all +they should do for the rest of their stay in the city. + +There was some shopping, some sight-seeing and some errands yet undone +but they at last agreed on a programme that would suit everybody. + +Dotty's party, as they called it, took place on Thursday night, and she +had her way about having it a small gathering. There were about twenty +in all, and according to Dotty's wishes it was not only a dancing +party. There were games as well as dances, for Dotty loved games. + +Some of the city young people were at first inclined to laugh at the +idea of games, but when they began to take part in these that Dotty had +planned they became exceedingly interested. + +One was an "Observation Test," up in Mr. Forbes' museum. + +At Dotty's request, he had allowed the collection rooms to be opened to +the guests, and this very special dispensation was so appreciated by +all that they were most exceedingly careful not to handle the rare +specimens or touch the exhibits. + +This state of things lent itself beautifully to the game. Each player +was asked to walk about for half an hour and look at the curios and +treasures, and at the expiration of the time, to return to the drawing +room, and spend ten minutes writing down the names of such objects as +could be remembered. + +This game, most of them had played before, with a table full of less +interesting exhibits. But in the wonderful museum rooms of Mr. Forbes +it was quite another story. + +So eagerly did the young people observe and examine the things, that +the half hour allotted for that purpose slipped away all too soon. + +And then they sat down to write their lists, and that too proved an +absorbing occupation. + +Our four girls wrote lists, just for fun, but did not compete for the +prizes, as, knowing the exhibit so well, that would not have been fair. + +Muriel Brown took the first prize, and the hostesses were glad of it +for it was pleasant to have Muriel so honoured. + +The prize was a gold penholder, and the boys' prize, which Marly Turner +won, was a similar gift. + +After it was over, another game was played. This was ribbon cutting. + +Girls and boys, stood at either end of the long drawing-room. To each +girl was given the end of a piece of long, narrow ribbon, and a pair of +scissors. The other end of each ribbon was held by a boy, who likewise +had a pair of scissors. + +At a signal, each player started cutting the ribbon straight through +the middle. If the scissors slipped and cut through the selvage, the +player was out of the game. It was not easy, for the ribbon was narrow, +and there was a strong impulse to hurry, which made for crooked +cutting. The middle of each piece of ribbon was marked by a knot, and +whoever reached the knot first, was the winner of that pair. The one +who finished first of all, received a special prize. + +The game caused great laughter and sport, and the city young people +declared they enjoyed it quite as much as dancing. + +Then the feast was served, and very beautiful and elaborate it was. The +celebration, Mr. Forbes had said, was to be especially for the two D's, +as it was Dotty's choice, and Dolly's choice of a visit to the museum +provided little opportunity for gaiety. + +The table showed two great floral D's, one at either end. Dotty's was +made of red roses, and Dolly's of pink roses. Every guest had as a +souvenir, some pretty and valuable little trinket, and at every place +was a small D made of flowers. + +Cakes, ices, jellies, and all such things as could be so shaped, were +cut in the form of D's, and our two girls felt greatly honoured to see +their initial so prominently and beautifully displayed. + +In the centre of the table was a huge French Doll, of the finest type. +It was dressed in silk covered with polka dots, and its hat and parasol +were of silk to match. + +Everybody laughed when Mr. Forbes pointed out that it was Dotty Dolly! +And all agreed it was a most clever and appropriate symbol. + +After supper there was dancing, and a fine orchestra furnished the +music. Our girls liked dancing pretty well, but often they sat out a +dance talking to one or another of their guests. + +Once, as Dolly passed along the hall, chatting with Geordie Knapp, they +heard rather loud voices behind the closed door of the little reception +room. + +Rather surprised that the door should be shut at all, that evening, +Dolly paused involuntarily, and Geordie stood by her side. They had no +intention of eavesdropping; indeed, Geordie thought perhaps some new +game was about to be announced. + +But to Dolly's amazement, she heard Alicia's voice saying, "Oh, I +cannot! I dare not!" + +The tones were quivering with emotion, and Dolly couldn't help +listening for the next words. She feared Alicia was troubled about +something; indeed, she didn't know what she feared. + +And, next came a voice that was unmistakably; Marly Turner's, saying, +"Do, dear! Oh, TRUST me,--_I_ will take care of you!" + +"But it is a desperate step!" exclaimed Alicia, "if I should ever +regret it!" + +"You will not regret it, dearest," Marly said, "I will never LET you +regret it! Your own mother eloped; it is fitting you should do so, too." + +Dolly looked at Geordie, her face white with horror. + +Alicia, planning an elopement! And with Marly Turner! She laid her hand +on the knob of the door. + +"Don't!" said Geordie, "don't you get mixed up in a thing like that! Is +Alicia Steele that sort of a girl?" + +"I don't know," faltered Dolly. "I heard Bernice hint once that +Alicia's mother did elope with her father,--but, Alicia! Why, she isn't +seventeen, yet!" + +"Well, that's old enough to know what she's about. I advise you, Dolly, +not to go in there. Tell Mr. Forbes, if you like." + +"Oh, I couldn't tell on Alicia!" + +And, then, as they still stood there, too fascinated to move away, +Alicia said, "Yes, to-morrow night. I will steal out after the house is +quiet,--oh, my hero! my idol!" + +"My angel!" exclaimed Marly, in a deep, thrilled voice, and Dolly +turned away, sick at heart. + +"I don't know what to do!" she said to Geordie, as they went on to the +drawing room, where the dancers were. + +"Don't do anything," he advised. "It's none of your business. That +Steele girl isn't like you, she's a different type. If she wants to cut +up such didoes, don't you mix in it. Let her alone. I knew Marly liked +her,--he said so,--but I didn't suppose he'd do such a thing as that! +But I shan't say a word to him. We're good friends, but not chums. +Marly's a good chap, but he's awfully anxious to act grown up, and my +stars! he's doing so! Elope with the Steele girl! Jiminy!" "I can't +bear to tell on Alicia," said Dolly, "and yet, I can't think I ought to +let her go ahead and do this thing. She's so fond of romance, and +excitement, she doesn't realise what she's doing." + +Later on, Dolly saw Alicia and young Turner emerge from the reception +room, and saunter toward the drawing room. They were talking earnestly, +in whispers. Alicia's cheeks were pink, and her manner a little +excited. Marly looked important, and bore himself with a more grown up +air than usual. Dolly and Geordie looked at each other, and shook their +heads. It was only too evident that the two were planning some secret +doings. They went off by themselves and sat on a davenport in a corner +of the room, and continued to converse in whispers, oblivious to all +about them. + +Dolly and Geordie purposely walked past the other pair, and distinctly +heard Marly say something about a rope ladder. + +"It's part of the performance," he urged, as Alicia seemed to demur. + +Then she smiled sweetly at him, and said, "All right, then, just as you +say." + +"It's perfectly awful!" said Dolly, as they walked on. "I've simply got +to tell Dotty, anyway." + +"Oh, I wouldn't," expostulated Geordie; "I don't believe they'll pull +it off. Somebody will catch on and put a stop to it." + +"Maybe and maybe not," said Dolly, dubiously. "Alicia is awfully +clever, and if she sets out to do a thing, she generally carries it +through. And her head is full of crazy, romantic thoughts. She'd rather +elope than to go back to school, I know she would. She told me she'd do +anything to get out of going back to school." + +"That makes it look serious," agreed Geordie. "Still I don't think you +ought to mix yourself up in it, unless you just tell the whole story to +Mr. Forbes." + +"I hate to be a tattle-tale," and Dolly looked scornful. "But if it's +for Alicia's good, maybe I ought to." + +"Look at them now! Their heads close together, and whispering like +everything!" + +"Yes, they're planning for their getaway!" + +During the rest of the evening, Dolly watched Alicia, feeling mean to +do it, and yet unable to keep herself from it. + +At last the guests went home, one and all exclaiming at the good time +they had had. Marly Turner bade Dolly good night, with a smiling face. +"I've had the time of my life!" he declared. + +"I've not seen much of you," said Dolly, pointedly. + +"I know it. Too bad! I wanted to dance with you oftener, but the time +was so short." + +"And you found another charmer?" + +"Well, Alicia sure is a wonder, isn't she? You know she is!" + +"Yes, she is," said Dolly, and for the life of her, she couldn't frown +on the happy-hearted youth. + +Marly went off, and the others followed. + +"I'm not going to talk things over to-night," said Dolly, when the four +were alone. "I'm tired, and I'm going straight to bed." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ALICIA'S SECRET + + +The time seemed fairly to fly. Each of the four girls had some last few +errands to do, each wanted some little souvenirs for herself, or for +her people at home, and so busy were they that there was not so much +mutual conversation among them as usual. + +They were to go home on Saturday. And already it was Friday afternoon. +They had finished luncheon, Alicia and Bernice had gone to their room, +and Dolly was about to go upstairs, when she remembered that she had +planned to run in and say good-bye to old Joe and his parrot. + +Dolly felt she owed a debt of gratitude to Polly, and she had bought a +little toy for him. + +"I'm going to run in next door a minute," she said to Mrs. Berry. + +"Very well, my dear. Here's a cracker for Polly." + +Dolly took it laughingly, and went out to the hall. + +"Put your coat round you," called out Mrs. Berry. "It's only a step, I +know, but it's a very cold day." + +"Oh, Dot just took my coat upstairs, with her own. Well, here's +Alicia's hanging on the hall rack. I'll throw this round me." + +She did so, and ran out of the front door and up the steps of the next +house. + +Old Joe answered her ring at the bell. + +"Just ran over to say good-bye," laughed Dolly, "and to bring a cracker +and a toy for Polly." + +"Thank you, Miss," and Joe smiled at her. "I'll bring the bird down to +you, Ma'am, to save your going upstairs." + +"All right," said Dolly, a little absent-mindedly, for she was thinking +of a lot of things at once. + +Still absentmindedly, she put her hand in her coat pocket for a +handkerchief. There was none there, and she drew out a letter instead. +Then she suddenly remembered she had on Alicia's coat, and with a +glance at the envelope, she thrust the letter back in the pocket. But +that one glance sufficed to show her it was in Marly Turner's +handwriting. + +She had had a note from him a day or two ago, inviting her to some +party or other, and his striking, sprawling penmanship was +unmistakable. The letter had been opened, and Dolly remembered that +Alicia had had several letters in the mail that morning. + +It all recalled to her the talk she had overheard the night before. All +that morning Alicia had seemed preoccupied, and twice she had gone off +by herself to telephone in a booth, which the girls rarely used, for +they had no secrets from one another. + +Dolly thought over the situation between Alicia and young Turner. She +had not told Dotty yet. She had two minds about doing so. It seemed to +her one minute that she had no right to interfere in Alicia's affairs +and then again, it seemed as if she ought to tell Mr. Forbes what was +going on. + +She had heard Alicia say to Marly that they would elope that very +night, and she felt sure they meant to do so. + +They were all going to Muriel Brown's party, that being Alicia's own +choice of the "celebrations." Would she elope from the party, or return +home first? The latter, probably, for they had mentioned a rope ladder, +and that seemed as if Alicia meant to go late at night when all the +others were asleep. If she ran away from the party there would be no +need of a rope ladder. + +Dolly had asked Bernice if Alicia's mother had eloped, and Bernice had +said she thought she had, though she had never heard any of the +particulars. + +And then Joe came down with the parrot, and Dolly forgot Alicia and her +elopement for the moment. + +Polly showed great delight over his gifts, and after a few words of +good-bye to the bird and to old Joe, Dolly ran back again. + +In the hall she took off Alicia's coat and hung it on the rack just as +Alicia herself appeared on the stairs. + +"Where you been?" she called out gaily. + +"Next door," said Dolly, "to say a fond farewell to Polly Mortimer. And +as my coat was upstairs, I took the liberty of wearing yours." + +"That's all right," laughed Alicia, "you're welcome to it, I'm sure. +Oh, I say, Dolly, there's a letter in the pocket of it! I hope you +didn't read it!" + +"Alicia Steele! You ought to be ashamed of yourself to hint at such a +thing!" + +"There, there, don't flare up over nothing! I only said I hoped you +didn't. Did you?" + +"I consider that question insulting!" + +"Yes, people often get out of answering, that way! Now, you haven't +answered me yet. Did you or did you NOT read that letter that's in the +pocket of my coat?" + +"I did NOT! But I've my opinion of a girl who could even think I'd do +such a thing!" + +"Well, you had plenty of time, and when you were in next door, would +have been a good opportunity. I'm not sure I believe you even yet. +You're blushing like fury!" + +"Who wouldn't, at being insulted like that! I don't think you can have +much sense of honour yourself, to think anybody decent would read +another person's letter!" + +"Now, don't get huffy, little goldilocks!" and Alicia laughed at her. +"I had to be sure, you see, because it's a most important matter, and I +wouldn't have anybody know for the world,--until I get ready to tell, +myself." + +"And when will you be ready to tell?" Dolly tried to speak lightly, but +the words nearly choked her. + +"I dunno. Maybe you'll know about it to-morrow." + +"Oh, Alicia--" Dolly meant to speak a word of warning or of pleading, +indeed she didn't quite know what she WAS going to say, but just then, +Dotty and Bernice came down stairs, and proposed they all go for a +motor ride, and a last visit to the pretty tearoom. + +Dolly agreed, but Alicia didn't seem quite willing. + +"I'm expecting a telephone message," she said, at last. "You girls go +on, and leave me at home. I shan't mind." + +"Oh, no," said Dotty, "we four can't be together after to-day. We +mustn't be separated this last day of all. Come on, 'Licia." + +"But it's an important message," and Alicia looked anxious. + +"Can I be of help?" said Mrs. Berry, coming toward them. + +"Yes," cried Dotty, "let Mrs. Berry take the message, and tell her what +answer to make." + +"No answer," said Alicia, slowly, and a pink flush rose to her cheeks. +"But just take the message, if you please, dear Mrs. Berry. It will be +short, I know. Jot it down, lest you forget the exact wording." + +Mrs. Berry promised and the four ran away to get ready for their last +afternoon together. + +"Dress up pretty, girls," Alicia called from her room. "No telling whom +we might meet at the tearoom." + +"That's so," said Dotty; "put on your Dresden silk, Doll." + +Dolly laughingly agreed, and the four dressed-up young ladies started +off. + +A few calls at various shops, a few stops to look once more at certain +points of interest they admired, and then for a long drive through the +parks, and finally to the tearoom. + +"How short the time has been," said Bernice, as they flew along. + +"Yes," assented Alicia, "it doesn't seem possible we've been here as +long as we have. Oh, I don't want to go home. I wish I could live in +New York, I just love it!" + +"I like it," said Dolly, "but I don't want to live here. I'd LIKE to +come here oftener than I do, though." + +At the tearoom they found Janet Knapp and Corinne Bell, two girls whom +they had come to know very pleasantly. + +"Sit here with us," called out Janet, as they entered. "We haven't +ordered yet,--what do you girls want?" + +"Cafe frappe for me," said Dotty, "and waffles." + +"Thick chocolate and whipped cream for mine," said Alicia. "Oh, when +shall I ever get these lovely things again? Think of going back to +boarding-school diet!" + +"Don't you have good things to eat at that nice school?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, good enough, but not lovely, fancy things like these." + +"I'd like to go to boarding-school," said Janet, "but mother doesn't +want me away from home. She thinks girls get no home training at those +fashionable schools." + +"We don't, and that's a fact," admitted Alicia. "We're taught manners +and, oh, well, I s'pose it's up to the girl herself, as to what she +learns. Maybe I won't go back to school, after all." + +"Oh, Alicia," cried Bernice, "what do you mean?" + +"Oh, nothing," and Alicia smiled as she tossed her head. "I've got a +secret. I can't tell you now. Maybe you'll know soon." + +Dolly looked at Alicia, in bewilderment. Could she be referring to her +intended elopement with Marly Turner? + +"Good gracious! What do you mean?" and Janet laughed. + +"Never mind," returned Alicia, airily, "don't ask me any questions. You +know they call me 'that awful Alicia!' So be prepared for anything." + +Dolly grew thoughtful. Only she and Geordie Knapp held the secret of +Alicia's strange remarks, and she couldn't decide whether it was her +duty to tell anyone of her knowledge or not. She made up her mind to +tell Mrs. Berry, as soon as she went home, and then she had +compunctions about that, for Dolly was very conscientious and she +really didn't know what was right to do. + +"I go to an awfully nice school," Corinne Bell said. "It's quite near +my house and I can go alone every day. We have such interesting +teachers, and such a jolly lot of girls. You'd love it, Alicia." + +"Yes, I'd love it, but how could I go there? It isn't a boarding +school, is it?" + +"No; but couldn't you board somewhere in New York?" + +"Alone! No, I should say not! You know I live out in the western wilds, +at least the middle western wilds, and I think they're wilder than the +far west. This little New York visit is all poor Alicia will see of the +glittering metropolis for,--oh, well, it may be for years and it may be +forever!" + +"What do you do in vacation time?" asked Janet. + +"Oh, Dad and I go to summery places. Couldn't come to New York then, +you know. But when I get married, I'm going to live in New York, you +can bet on that!" + +"You're not thinking of marrying soon, I hope," and Janet laughed. + +"Never can tell!" said Alicia, smiling saucily. "I have all sorts of +wonderful schemes in my noodle. Some of 'em materialise,--some don't. +But trust little Alicia to do something big! Oh, girls, my secret is +just TOO splendid!" + +"Is it--is it all right?" and Dolly stammered, as she looked at Alicia +with a doubtful glance. + +"Is it all right! You little sanctimonious-eyed prude! You bet it's all +right! Maybe we'll meet again, Janet. You can't 'most always sometimes +tell." + +"I hope you'll come to Berwick to visit me, Alicia," said Bernice; "I +think as we're cousins we ought to see more of each other." + +"I'd love to, Bernie. Maybe I'll come this summer." + +"We could have a sort of reunion at our house," went on Bernice; +"Muriel and you girls could come for a few days, and the two D's and I +would be there, and we'd scare up a lot of fun." + +"'Deed we would! I'll surely come if it can be arranged. But I never +know Dad's plans from one day to the next," Alicia said. + +"Hello, girls," sang out a boyish voice, and in came Geordie Knapp with +half a dozen comrades. "We just sorter, kinder thought we'd see a bunch +of peaches here about this time o' day! Hello, everybody!" + +Marly Turner was not among the group, and Dolly looked anxiously at +Geordie, as if to ask him what he knew concerning him. + +"What is it, Dolly?" asked Geordie, with a blank look. + +"Secret!" laughed Dolly, "come over here and whisper to me." + +"Oh, how rude!" cried Alicia; "even out West we don't whisper in polite +society!" + +"But this is a special case," and Dolly smiled and dimpled, as if about +to discuss the most trivial subject with Geordie. + +The boy looked surprised when Dolly spoke to him about what they had +overheard the night before. + +"Why," he said, "I never gave it another thought! I don't believe they +really meant what we thought they did." + +"Yes, they did," asserted Dolly. "All day, Alicia has been keyed up to +some great excitement. She had a letter from Marly this morning, and +she expects a telephone from him. Also, she said things that could only +mean that they really are going to elope to-night." + +"Such as what?" + +"She said maybe she'd live in New York soon, and said she had a big, +wonderful secret and we'd know it to-morrow,--why, she even said she +expects to live in New York after she's married!" + +"Whew! that's going some! Still, Dolly, I don't just see what we can +do." + +"I think I ought to tell Mr. Forbes, don't you?" + +"I don't know. I do hate tell other people's secrets." + +"Yes; so do I. Perhaps I'll just tell Mrs. Berry." + +"I say, I've an idea! Suppose I get hold of Turner, and get him to go +home and spend the evening with me. I'll insist upon it, you know, and +if he objects, I'll ask him what's up." + +"Oh, yes, Geordie, that will be fine! You do that, will you?" + +"Yes; suppose I telephone him now, and ask him." + +"Go ahead, and then tell me what he says." + +Geordie excused himself and went off to the telephone booth. + +"You seem to have a lot of secrets, too, Dolly," said Alicia. + +"Yes, I have," and Dolly looked demure. "Can't let you have all the +fun, 'Licia." + +"Nothing doing," Geordie reported to Dolly, as he came back, and his +face looked more serious. He made an opportunity to speak to her alone +again, and he said, "I got him all right, and he said he couldn't see +me this evening, for he's awful busy. Said he was busy with his father." + +"His father! Why, Mr. Turner is an actor, isn't he?" + +"Sure he is, one of the best." + +"Then how can Marly be with him? Isn't Mr. Turner acting?" + +"Not just now. He's rehearsing, I think." + +"Well, I believe Marly made that up. He's planning the elopement." + +"I'm afraid he is. He was sort of queer and didn't answer as +straightforwardly as he usually does. Oh, what a silly performance to +cut up! Why, they're just a couple of kids!" + +"I know it. I never was mixed up in a thing like this before." + +"You're not mixed up in this." + +"No; not unless I mix in purposely. And I believe I shall have to. You +see, I'm only a country girl, and I don't know what's right to do in +this case. But I'm going to follow my instinct, and tell either Mr. +Forbes or Mrs. Berry. I don't think I'll tell Dot or Bernice, for +they'd have no more knowledge of what's right to do, than I have +myself." + +"You're a good deal of a trump, Dolly Fayre. But I think you're in a +hard place. I wish I could help you, and I'll do anything you say." + +"Couldn't you go to Mr. Turner?" + +"I'd hate to. Yer see, us fellows don't tell on each other,--it isn't +done--" "I know. Well, let's hope we're mistaken." + +"But I don't see how we can be,---after what we heard." + +"Neither do I. I've a mind to speak straight out to Alicia about it." + +"Do, if you think best." + +"Well, I'll see." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +UNCLE JEFF'S FOUR FRIENDS + + +Still uncertain what she'd do, Dolly went home with the rest of the +quartette. + +Alicia was in high spirits, constantly exclaiming, "Oh, if you only +knew what I know!" or "I'm terribly excited over my secret! Just you +wait till to-morrow!" or some such speech. + +And as they entered the Forbes house she flew to Mrs. Berry demanding +to know if a telephone message had arrived for her. + +"Yes," replied the good-natured housekeeper. "Marly Turner called up, +and he asked me to tell you that everything was all right, and he'd +pull it off to-night, sure." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Alicia, "are you sure that's just what he said?" + +"Yes," asseverated Mrs. Berry, "see, I wrote it down, so I shouldn't +forget." + +Dolly had to eavesdrop a little to overhear this conversation, as +Alicia had drawn Mrs. Berry aside, to make her inquiries. And it was +with a heavy heart that Dolly went upstairs to lay off her wraps. + +"Oh, girls, I'm so happy!" cried Alicia, as she flung herself into a +chair. "But don't ask me why, for I refuse to tell you. Now, do we +dress for to-night's party before dinner or after?" + +"Before, please," said Mrs. Berry, who had followed the girls to their +rooms. "Mr. Forbes asked me to tell you that he wants an interview in +the drawing-room before you go to Muriel's, and so you'd better be +dressed." + +"Ah, those drawing-room interviews!" exclaimed Bernice. "How they +frightened me at first; then they rather bored me; but in the last few +days I've come to like them!" + +"So have I," said Dotty. "I like Mr. Forbes himself a whole lot better +than I did at first. He's so much more get-at-able." + +"He ought to be," laughed Alicia, "with four girls to train him up in +the way he should go! What frocks, ladies? Our very bestest?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Bernice. "This is our last night, and we must 'go +out in a blaze of glory'! And scoot, you two D's. We've none too much +time to dress." + +Dolly and Dotty went to their room, and it was rather a silent Dolly +who sat down to the dressing-table to brush her golden locks. + +"Whatamatter, Dollums?" said her chum. "Sad at thoughts of going home?" + +"Oh, no; really, Dot, I'm glad to go home. We've had a magnificent time +here, but I'm--well, I s'pect I'm homesick." + +"So'm I, a little, now that you mention it. But we've enough to +remember and think over for a long time, haven't we?" + +"Of course. My but I'm glad that earring was found! Oh, Dot, wouldn't +it have been awful if we had gone home with that doubt hanging over us?" + +"It would, indeed, old girl. And, now if you'll proceed to do up that +taffy-coloured mass on top of your head, I'll accept the dressing +mirror for a while." + +Dolly twisted up her golden mop, and decorated it with a ribbon band, +and then gave over her place to Dotty. + +And, shortly, four very much dressed-up girls went down to the extra +elaborate dinner that was served in honour of the last night of their +visit. + +The chat at table was far more gay and spontaneous than it had been on +the night of their arrival, for all had become used to each other's +ways, and had grown to like each other very much. Mr. Forbes, too, had +changed from a stiff, somewhat embarrassed host to a genial, even gay +comrade. He asked all about their doings of the day, and they told him, +with gay stories of funny episodes. + +Dolly watched Alicia, but except that her eyes were unusually bright +and her laughter very frequent, the Western girl showed no especial +excitement. + +After dinner they all went to the drawing-room, and it was with a +feeling of real sadness that Dolly realised it was for the last time. + +Mr. Forbes walked up and down the room as he often did, and then paused +in front of the group of girls who were standing by the piano. + +"Sit down, girlies," he said; "Alicia and Bernice, sit on that sofa, +please,--you two D's on that one." + +Uncle Jeff was smiling, but still, there seemed to be an undercurrent +of seriousness in his tone, that implied a special talk. + +"Did it ever occur to any of you," he began, "that I invited you here +for something beside a mere desire to give you young people some +pleasure?" + +"Why, you've practically said so to us, Uncle Jeff," laughed Alicia; +"are you going to tell us your reason?" + +"Yes, I am. And I'm going to tell you now." + +Mr. Forbes sat down in an easy chair, in such a position that he could +look straight at all the girls, but his gaze rested on his two nieces. + +"My reason," he said, slowly, "is, I admit, a selfish one. If you girls +have enjoyed your visit, I'm very glad, but what I wanted, was to study +you." + +"I knew it!" exclaimed Bernice. "I thought you were studying us--our +characters." + +"Yes, just that. And I wanted to study the characters of my two nieces. +Now you know you can't judge much of girls, unless you see them with +their comrades, their chums; or at least with other girls of their own +age. So I asked you each to bring a girl friend with you. As it +happened, Bernie brought two, and Alicia none, but that didn't matter. +And I'm exceedingly glad to have met and known the two D's." + +The courteous old gentleman bowed to Dotty and Dolly who smiled and +bowed in return. + +"Well," Uncle Jeff went on, "here's the reason I wanted to study my two +nieces. Because I want to take one of them to live with me, and to +inherit, eventually, my house and the greater part of my fortune." + +There was a silence, as each of his hearers thought over what this +would mean. + +Either Bernice or Alicia was to be chosen to live in that big city +house, practically to be mistress of it, to have a life of wealth and +luxury and at last to inherit Mr. Forbes' great fortune, and all his +valuable collections and belongings. + +Dotty broke the silence. "It's great!" she exclaimed, "just great! And +which one are you going to choose?" + +"I have chosen," said Mr. Forbes, slowly, "it remains to be seen +whether the one I have selected will accept. But now, you all can see +why I was so alarmed and anxious over the episode of the lost earring. +I HAD to find out if any of you girls had yielded to temptation. And if +so, if it was one of my nieces, or one of their friends." + +"And if it had been one of your nieces, you would have chosen the +other!" cried Bernice. + +"No, my child," returned her uncle. "Quite the contrary. If either you +or Alicia had taken that gem, with a wrong intent, I should have asked +the wrong-doer to come and live with me, hoping I could teach her the +error of her ways. But that's neither here nor there. For none of you +DID take the jewel, nor indeed, ever thought of such a thing. But my +decision, which I have made, is not entirely based on worthiness, or +even on desirability. And I'll tell you frankly, had I tried to choose +my favourite between Bernie and 'Licia, I should have had a hard time! +For I have come to love both girls very dearly, and would have not the +slightest objection to adopting them both." + +"And us two also?" asked Dotty, mischievously. + +"Yes, and you two also! Bless my soul! From a lonely, somewhat +misanthropic old man, you young people have turned me into a real human +being! I like young voices round me, and young folks's pleasures going +on in my house. Well, my dears, are you interested to know my choice?" + +"ARE we?" cried Dotty, while Dolly fairly held her breath. + +"I have chosen Alicia," Mr. Forbes announced, and there was a deep +silence. + +Bernice looked a little bewildered, but not at all disappointed. Alicia +looked simply stunned, and the two D's just listened for further +developments. + +"But don't you for one minute think," said Mr. Forbes, "that I consider +Alicia in any way superior to Bernice; nor, on the other hand, do I +think Bernie better than Alicia. I love my nieces equally, and the +thing that settled the question in my mind was a letter I received +to-day from Alicia's father." + +"I know!" cried Alicia, "I had one, too. I didn't say anything about +it, because Dad asked me not to. You tell, Uncle Jeff." + +"It's this," said Mr. Forbes. "Alicia's father is to be married soon. +As you know, Alicia's mother, my dear sister died many years ago, and I +know Mr. Steele but slightly. However, now that he is about to remarry, +I hope that it will please both him and his new wife if Alicia comes to +live with me. Also, I hope it will please Alicia." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia flew over to him, and flung her arms round +his neck, "indeed it does please me! Why, only to-day I was saying how +I'd LOVE to live in New York, and how I HATED to go back to that old +school! But I never dreamed of such a thing as this!" + +"Oh, it's just fine!" exclaimed Bernice. "I couldn't think of leaving +father, and I'd rather live in the country anyhow--" + +"I discovered that, Bernie, girl," said her uncle, seriously. "That's +why I had you girls here, so I could see for myself what your tastes +and traits really are. I've learned that Bernice prefers her own home +and too that she doesn't want to leave her father alone though my plan +would have been if I asked Bernice to come here to have her father live +here, too. However, I also discovered that Alicia is unhappy in her +school life, that she does not care much about returning to her Western +home to live with a stepmother, and that she adores New York City! So, +I wrote to her father asking his opinion, and he leaves the settlement +of the question to Alicia, herself." + +"And I settle it! Yes! oh, I certainly DO!" and the girl gave her kind +uncle another big embrace. + +"Isn't it funny you should have been saying to-day that perhaps you +might live in New York?" said Bernice. + +"Yes," replied Alicia, and her face changed, "but I didn't mean THIS!" + +Dolly spoke impulsively. In fact, it seemed as if she couldn't keep +still. + +"Suppose you tell your uncle just what you DID mean," she said, looking +straight at Alicia with an unmistakably meaning gaze. + +Alicia turned on her with a sudden expression of anger. + +"You DID read that note in my coat pocket!" she cried, "you DID read +it, Dolly Fayre! and you pretended you were too honourable to do such a +thing!" + +"Why, Alicia, I did not! You take that back!" + +"Bless my soul! Are you two quarrelling? What IS the matter?" + +"Dolly read my note!" cried Alicia, "she--" + +"I did not!" interrupted Dolly, her blue eyes blazing. "Alicia has a +secret, and I think she ought to tell it!" + +"I've got a right to have a secret if I like,--Dolly Fayre!" + +"But it isn't a nice secret! You wouldn't want Uncle Forbes to know it! +It's--it's shocking!" + +"How do YOU know?" + +"I know all about it,--at least I know something about it. I heard you +and Marly Turner--" + +"Oh, pshaw! you little blue-eyed goose! You only think it's shocking, +because you're so prim and straight-laced! I'll tell Uncle Jeff, +myself, and I'll tell him right now!" + +"All right, Alicia," and Dolly drew a big sigh of relief. If Alicia +would tell her own secret, it would take all responsibility from her +shoulders. + +But Alicia hesitated. She began to speak once or twice, and stammered +and paused. + +At last she said, "I hate to tell, it sounds so--so grown-up and +ambitious." + +"I should think it DID!" cried Dolly, who began to wonder if Alicia +were crazy. + +"You tell him, Dolly," and Alicia suddenly looked very shy and +embarrassed. + +"Do you MEAN it? Do you want ME to tell him?" + +"Yes, I honestly wish you would. Though how you found out about it, I +don't see!" + +"We weren't intending to listen, Alicia, but Geordie Knapp and I heard +you and Marly Turner, in the little reception-room last night." + +"Oh, that explains it! Yes, we did talk pretty loud. Well, what did you +think of it, Dolly?" + +"If you say so, I'll tell the rest, and see what they think of it." + +"All right, go ahead! Spare my blushes, good people, but I am fearfully +embarrassed!" + +Everybody looked uncomprehending, and Dolly began. + +She couldn't see how Alicia could treat the matter so lightly, but was +fervently thankful that she did so. + +"It's this," said Dolly, solemnly, "Alicia is planning to elope with +Marly Turner." + +There were four astonished faces that greeted this announcement, but +none showed such blank amazement as Alicia's own. + +"Oh, Dolly!" she cried. "Oh, Dolly Fayre! You will be the death of me +yet! Go on, tell them more!" + +"That's about all I know. They planned it last night and it just +happened that Geordie and I heard them. Marly coaxed her, and Alicia +hesitated and then consented. She said her mother eloped, and she would +do the same. They were going to have a rope ladder." + +"Oh, Dolly! Oh, Uncle Jeff! Oh, Dollyrinda!" + +"Well, Alicia, suppose you stop yelling, oh, and tell me about this +interesting performance," Mr. Forbes spoke, severely. + +But Alicia had thrown herself into a big chair and was screaming with +laughter. Every time she essayed to speak, she went off in +uncontrollable spasms of mirth and when she wiped her eyes and +endeavoured to speak, she giggled again. + +Dolly realised there was some misunderstanding somewhere and waited for +the explanation. + +At last it came. + +"No, Uncle Jeff," and Alicia managed to speak intelligibly, "I'm not +going to elope with Marly or anybody else. I'm going to live here with +you." + +"But you were!" said Dolly. "You planned to!" + +"No, my child," and Alicia laughed again. "I'll have to tell my story +myself. I've written a play, Uncle, and in it, the heroine elopes with +the handsome hero. I was awfully shy about showing it to anybody, but +Marly said he'd try to persuade his father to read it over and see if +it showed any promise. You know it's a great thing to have Mr. Turner +read your play, and I was delighted. Well, last night, Marly and I went +over the elopement scene, that's the strong act of the play, and that's +what Dolly heard, and she thought we were talking ourselves! Oh, Dolly, +if people plan to elope they don't do it at the top of their lungs! +Marly and I read the various character parts to see how it would sound +in different voices. Well, then, he said he'd try to get his father to +read it to-night, so I'd know before I went away to-morrow. And he +telephoned that he'd pull it off,--he meant he'd get his father to read +it. That's my secret. And, you know, Uncle Jeff, my mother DID elope, +because her father didn't want her to marry Jim Steele. And I'd heard +the story of her elopement so often, and it was so dramatic, that I put +it in my play. Oh, Dolly, what a little innocent you are!" + +"I don't care if I am," returned Dolly, and her pretty face beamed with +smiles. "I think your secret is lovely, Alicia, and I think Uncle +Forbes' secret is too." + +"So do I," said Dotty, "and I'm glad and proud that Dollyrinda and I +are chums of two such talented and distinguished girls." + +"And _I_'m glad, Alicia," said her uncle, "that you have a taste for +writing. I shall be glad to help you cultivate it and I've no doubt +that Mr. Turner can give you valuable advice. Of course your early +efforts can't amount to much, but if you care to keep at it, you may +yet do good work. Well, then, do I understand, that you accept my +invitation to live with me?" + +"Yes, indeed, you dear, darling old uncle! I'll live with thee, and be +thy love! as the poet sings." + +"Then run away to your party now, and we'll settle all further details +to-morrow." + +"And you'll forgive me, Alicia, for misjudging you?" said Dolly, still +smiling at her funny mistake. + +"Yes, indeed, you blue-eyed angel! And you'll forgive me for thinking +you read my note. In it, Marly said he thought he could get his father +to read my manuscript and I was SO excited over it. But of course I +know you wouldn't touch my letter only I was so upset over it, I hardly +knew what I said." + +"Oh, that's all right. And, girls, won't we have the great times having +Alicia come to Berwick to see us all?" + +"Yes, and having you all come here to visit me!" returned Alicia. + +"We'll always be chums," said Dotty. "These days together have made us +inseparable friends." + +"The Forbes quartette," said Dolly. "Only Bernice is named Forbes, but +I mean Uncle Forbes' quartette." + +"Yes," said Jefferson Forbes, "my four friends, my Rosebud Garland of +Girls." + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Two Little Women on a Holiday, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY *** + +***** This file should be named 5893.txt or 5893.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/8/9/5893/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Two Little Women on a Holiday + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Release Date: June, 2004 [EBook #5893] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 18, 2002] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + + + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + +BY + +CAROLYN WELLS +Author Of The Patty Books, The Marjorie Books, +Two Little Women Series, Etc. + +FRONTISPIECE BY +E. C. CASWELL + + +Made in the United States of America +1917 + + + +TO +MY VERY DEAR +CHILD FRIEND + +FRANCES ALTHEA SPRAGUE + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER + +I A WONDERFUL PLAN + +II A FAVOURABLE DECISION + +III THE ARRIVAL + +IV A MERRY QUARTETTE + +V GOING ABOUT + +VI A MATINEE IDOL + +VII GREAT PREPARATIONS + +VIII THE CALLER + +IX FINE FEATHERS + +X A SKATING PARTY + +XI THE COLLECTIONS + +XII THE LOST JEWEL + +XIII SUSPICIONS + +XIV AT THE TEA ROOM + +XV DOLLY'S RIDE + +XVI WAS IT ALICIA? + +XVII A CLEVER IDEA + +XVIII FOUR CELEBRATIONS + +XIX ALICIA'S SECRET + +XX UNCLE JEFF'S FOUR FRIENDS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +A WONDERFUL PLAN + +"Hello, Dolly," said Dotty Rose, over the telephone. + +"Hello, Dot," responded Dolly Fayre. "What you want?" + +"Oh! I can't tell you this way. Come on over, just as quick as you +can." + +"But I haven't finished my Algebra, and it's nearly dinner time, +anyway." + +"No it isn't,--and no matter if it is. Come on, I tell you! You'd come +fast enough if you knew what it's about!" + +"Tell me, then." + +"I say I can't,--over the telephone. Oh, Dolly, come on, and stop +fussing!" + +The telephone receiver at Dotty's end of the wire was hung up with a +click, and Dolly began to waggle her receiver hook in hope of getting +Dotty back. But there was no response, so Dolly rose and went for her +coat. Flinging it round her, and not stopping to get a hat, she ran +next door to Dotty Rose's house. + +It was mid January, and the six o'clock darkness was lighted only by +the street lights. Flying across the two lawns that divided the +houses, Dolly found Dotty awaiting her at the side door. + +"Hurry up in, Doll," she cried, eagerly, "the greatest thing you ever +heard! Oh, the very greatest! If you only CAN! Oh, if you ONLY can!" + +"Can what? Do tell me what you're talking about." Dolly tossed her +coat on the hall rack, and followed Dotty into the Roses' living-room. +There she found Dotty's parents and also Bernice Forbes and her +father. What could such a gathering mean? Dolly began to think of +school happenings; had she cut up any mischievous pranks or +inadvertently done anything wrong? What else could bring Mr. Forbes to +the Roses' on what was very evidently an important errand? For all +present were eagerly interested,--that much was clear. Mr. and Mrs. +Rose were smiling, yet shaking their heads in uncertainty; Bernice was +flushed and excited; and Mr. Forbes himself was apparently trying to +persuade them to something he was proposing. + +This much Dolly gathered before she heard a word of the discussion. +Then Mrs. Rose said, "Here's Dolly Fayre. You tell her about it, Mr. +Forbes." + +"Oh, let me tell her," cried Bernice. + +"No," said Mr. Rose, "let her hear it first from your father. You +girls can chatter afterward." + +So Mr. Forbes spoke. "My dear child," he said to Dolly, "my Bernice is +invited to spend a week with her uncle, in New York City. She is +privileged to ask you two girls to accompany her if you care to." + +Dolly listened, without quite grasping the idea. She was slow of +thought, though far from stupid. And this was such a sudden and +startling suggestion that she couldn't quite take it in. + +"Go to New York, for a week. Oh, I couldn't. I have to go to school." + +Mrs. Rose smiled. "That's just the trouble, Dolly. Dot has to go to +school, too,--at least, she ought to. Bernice, likewise. But this +invitation is so delightful and so unusual, that I'm thinking you +three girls ought to take advantage of it. The question is, what will +your parents say?" + +"Oh, they'll never let me go!" exclaimed Dolly, decidedly. "They don't +want anything to interfere with my lessons." + +"No, and we feel the same way about Dotty. But an exceptional case +must be considered in an exceptional manner. I think your people might +be persuaded if we go about it in the right way." + +"I don't believe so," and Dolly looked very dubious. "Tell me more +about it." + +"Oh, Doll, it's just gorgeous!" broke in Bernice. "Uncle Jeff,--he's +father's brother,--wants me to spend a week with him. And he's going +to have my cousin, Alicia, there at the same time. And he wants us to +bring two other girls, and Alicia can't bring one, 'cause she's at +boarding school, and none of the girls can get leave,--that is, none +that she wants. So Uncle said for me to get two, if I could,--and I +want you and Dot." + +"A whole week in New York! Visiting!" Dolly's eyes sparkled as the +truth began to dawn on her. "Oh, I WISH I could coax Mother into it. +I've never been to New York to stay any time. Only just for the day. +How lovely of you, Bernie, to ask us!" + +"There's no one else I'd rather have, but if you can't go, I'll have +to ask Maisie May. I must get two." + +"Are you going anyway, Dots?" + +"I don't know. I want to go terribly, but I don't want to go without +you, Dolly. Oh, WON'T your mother let you?" + +"The only way to find out is to ask her," said Mr. Forbes, smiling. +"Suppose I go over there now and ask. Shall I go alone, or take you +three chatterboxes along?" + +"Oh, let us go," and Dotty sprang up; "we can coax and you can tell +about the arrangements." + +"Very well," agreed Mr. Forbes, "come along, then." + +So the four went across to the Fayre house, and found the rest of +Dolly's family gathered in the library. + +"Here is Mr. Forbes, Daddy," said Dolly, as they entered. + +Mr. and Mrs. Fayre and Trudy, Dolly's older sister, greeted the +visitor cordially, and looked with smiling inquiry at the eager faces +of the three girls. + +Dolly went and sat on the arm of her mother's chair, and, putting an +arm around her, whispered, "Oh, Mumsie, please, PLEASE do say yes! Oh, +please do!" + +"Yes to what?" returned Mrs. Fayre, patting her daughter's shoulder. + +"Mr. Forbes will tell you. Listen." + +"It's this way, my dear people," began Mr. Forbes. He was a man with +an impressive manner, and it seemed as if he were about to make a +speech of grave importance, as, indeed, from the girls' point of view, +he was. "My brother Jefferson, who lives in New York, has invited my +daughter to spend a week in his home there. He has asked also another +niece, Miss Alicia Steele. He wants these girl visitors to bring with +them two friends, and as Alicia does not wish to avail herself of that +privilege, Bernice may take two with her. She wants to take Dotty and +Dolly. There, that's the whole story in a nutshell. The question is, +may Dolly go?" + +"When is this visit to be made?" asked Mrs. Fayre. + +"As soon as convenient for all concerned. My brother would like the +girls to come some day next week, and remain one week." + +"What about school?" and Mrs. Fayre looked decidedly disapproving of +the plan. + +"That's just it!" exclaimed Dotty. "We knew you'd say that! But, Mrs. +Fayre, my mother says this is the chance of a lifetime,--almost,--and +we ought, we really OUGHT to take advantage of it." + +"But to be out of school for a whole week,--and what with getting +ready and getting home and settled again, it would mean more than a +week--" + +"But, mother, we could make up our lessons," pleaded Dolly, "and I DO +want to go! oh, I do want to go, just AWFULLY!" + +"I should think you would," put in Trudy. "Let her go, mother, it'll +be an education in itself,--the visit will. Why, the girls can go to +the museums and art galleries and see all sorts of things." + +"Of course we can," said Bernice, "and my uncle has a beautiful house +and motor cars and everything!" + +"That's another point," said Mr. Fayre, gravely. "You must realise, +Mr. Forbes, that my little girl is not accustomed to grandeur and +wealth. I don't want her to enjoy it so much that she will come back +discontented with her own plain home." + +"Oh, nonsense, my dear sir! A glimpse of city life and a taste of +frivolity will do your girl good. Dolly is too sensible a sort to be a +prey to envy or discontent. I know Dolly fairly well, and I can vouch +for her common sense!" + +"So can I," said Bernice. "Doll will enjoy everything to the limit, +but it won't hurt her disposition or upset her happiness to see the +sights of the city for a short time. Oh, please, Mr. Fayre, do let her +go." + +"Just as her mother thinks," and Mr. Fayre smiled at the insistent +Bernice. + +"Tell me of the household," said Mrs. Fayre. "Is your brother's wife +living?" + +"Jeff has never been married," replied Mr. Forbes. "He is an elderly +bachelor, and, I think is a bit lonely, now and then. But he is also a +little eccentric. He desires no company, usually. It is most +extraordinary that he should ask these girls. But I think he wants to +see his two nieces, and he fears he cannot entertain them pleasantly +unless they have other companions of their own age." + +"And who would look after the girls?" + +"Mrs. Berry, my brother's housekeeper. She is a fine noble-hearted and +competent woman, who has kept his house for years. I know her, and I +am perfectly willing to trust Bernice to her care. She will chaperon +the young people, for I doubt if my brother will go to many places +with them. But he will want them to have the best possible time, and +will give them all the pleasure possible." + +"That part of it is all right, then," smiled Mrs. Fayre; "it is, to my +mind, only the loss of more than a week of the school work that +presents the insuperable objection." + +"Oh, don't say insuperable," urged Mr. Forbes. "Can't you bring +yourself to permit that loss? As Dolly says, the girls can make up +their lessons." + +"They can--but will they?" + +"I will, mother," cried Dolly; "I promise you I will study each day +while I'm in New York. Then I can recite out of school hours after I +get back, and I'll get my marks all the same." + +"But, Dolly dear, you can't study while you are in New York. There +would be too much to distract you and occupy your time." + +"Oh, no, Mrs. Fayre," observed Bernice, "we couldn't be all the time +sightseeing. I think it would be fine for all us girls to study every +day, and keep up our lessons that way." + +"It sounds well, my dear child," and Mrs. Fayre looked doubtfully at +Bernice, "and I daresay you mean to do it, but I can't think you could +keep it up. The very spirit of your life there would be all against +study." + +"I agree with that," said Mr. Forbes, decidedly. "I vote for the girls +having an entire holiday. Lessons each day would spoil all their fun." + +"They couldn't do it," Trudy said. "I know, however much they tried, +they just COULDN'T study in that atmosphere." + +"Why not?" asked Bernice. "We're not young ladies, like you, Trudy. We +won't be going to parties, and such things. We can only go to the +shops and the exhibitions and for motor rides in the park and such +things. We could study evenings, I'm sure." + +"It isn't only the lessons," Mrs. Fayre said; "but I can't feel quite +willing to let my little girl go away for a week without me." Her +pleasant smile at Mr. Forbes robbed the words of any reflection they +might seem to cast on his brother's invitation. "I'm sure Mrs. Berry +would do all that is necessary in the way of a chaperon's duties, but +these girls are pretty young even for that. They need a parent's +oversight." + +Mrs. Fayre was about to say a mother's oversight, when she remembered +that Bernice had no mother, and changed the words accordingly. + +There was some further discussion, and then Mrs. Fayre said she must +have a little time alone to make up her mind. She knew that if Dolly +did not go, Maisie May would be asked in her place, but she still felt +undecided. She asked for only an hour or two to think it over, and +promised to telephone directly after dinner, and tell Mr. Forbes her +final decision. This was the only concession she would make. If not +acceptable then her answer must be no. + +"Please do not judge my wife too harshly," said Mr. Fayre as he +accompanied Mr. Forbes and Bernice to the door. "She still looks upon +Dolly as her baby, and scarcely lets her out of her sight." + +"That's all right," returned Mr. Forbes. "She's the right sort of a +mother for the girl. I hope she will decide to let Dolly go, but if +not, I quite understand her hesitancy, and I respect and admire her +for it. Bernice can take somebody else, and I trust you will not try +over hard to influence Mrs. Fayre in Dolly's favour. If anything +untoward should happen, I should never forgive myself. I would far +rather the children were disappointed than to have Mrs. Fayre +persuaded against her better judgment." + +The Forbeses departed, and then Dotty Rose went home, too. + +"Oh, Dollyrinda," she whispered as they stood in the hall, "do you +s'pose your mother'll EVER say yes?" + +"I don't believe so," replied Dolly mournfully. "But, oh, Dot, how I +do want to go! Seems 'sif I never wanted anything so much in all my +life!" + +"You don't want to go a bit more than I want to have you. Why, +Dollops, I shan't go, if you don't." + +"Oh, yes, you will, Dotty. You must. It would be silly not to." + +"But I couldn't! I just COULDN'T. Do you s'pose I could have one +single bit of fun going to places without you? And knowing you were +here at home, longing to be with us! No-sir-ee! I just couldn't pos- +SIB-ly! So just you remember that, old girl; no Dolly,--no Dotty! And +that's SURE!" + +There was a ring in Dotty's voice that proclaimed an unshakable +determination, and Dolly knew it. She knew that no coaxing of Bernice +or even of Dolly herself, could make Dotty go without her chum. + +For chums these two were, in the deepest sense of the word. They were +together all that was possible during their waking hours. They studied +together, worked and played together, and occupied together their +little house, built for them, and called Treasure House. + +Dolly knew she couldn't enjoy going anywhere without Dotty, and she +knew Dot felt the same way about her. But this was such a big, +splendid opportunity, that she hated to have Dotty miss it, even if +she couldn't go herself. The two girls said good-night, and Dolly went +back to her family in the library. + +"I hate terribly to disappoint you, Dolly darling," began her mother, +and the tears welled up in Dolly's blue eyes. This beginning meant a +negative decision, that was self evident, but Dolly Fayre was plucky +by nature and she was not the sort that whines at disappointment. + +"All right," she said, striving to be cheerful, and blinking her eyes +quickly to keep those tears back. + +"Now, look here, Edith," said Mr. Fayre, "I don't believe I can stand +this. I don't differ with you regarding the children, but I do think +you might let Dolly go on this party. Even if it does take a week out +of school, she'll get enough general information and experience from a +week in the city to make up." + +"That's just it, Will. But the experiences she gets there may not be +the best possible for a little girl of fifteen." + +"Oh, fifteen isn't an absolute baby. Remember, dear, Dolly is going to +grow up some day, and she's getting started." + +"And another thing. I asked Mr. Forbes a few questions while you were +talking to Bernice, and it seems this other girl, the niece, Alicia, +is attending a very fashionable girls' boarding school." + +"Well, what of that? You speak as if she were attending a lunatic +asylum!" + +"No; but can't you see if Dolly goes to stay a week with wealthy +Bernice Forbes and this fashionable Alicia, she'll get her head full +of all sorts of notions that don't belong there?" + +"No, I won't, mother," murmured Dolly, who, again on her mother's arm +chair, was looking earnestly into the maternal blue eyes, so like her +own. And very lovingly Mrs. Fayre returned the gaze, for she adored +her little daughter and was actuated only by the best motives in +making her decisions. + +"And, here's another thing," said Dolly, "Dot won't go, if I don't. It +seems too bad to spoil HER fun." + +"Oh, yes, she will," said Mrs. Fayre, smiling. "She would be foolish +to give up her pleasure just because you can't share it." + +"Foolish or not, she won't go," repeated Dolly. "I know my Dot, and +when she says she won't do a thing, she just simply doesn't do it!" + +"I'd be sorry to be the means of keeping Dotty at home," and Mrs. +Fayre sighed deeply. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +A FAVOURABLE DECISION + + +All through dinner time, Mrs. Fayre was somewhat silent, her eyes +resting on Dolly with a wistful, uncertain expression. She wanted to +give the child the pleasure she craved, but she had hard work to bring +herself to the point of overcoming her own objections. + +At last, however, when the meal was nearly over, she smiled at her +little daughter, and said, "All right, Dolly, you may go." + +"Oh, mother!" Dolly cried, overwhelmed with sudden delight. "Really? +Oh, I am so glad! Are you sure you're willing?" + +"I've persuaded myself to be willing, against my will," returned Mrs. +Fayre, whimsically. "I confess I just hate to have you go, but I can't +bear to deprive you of the pleasure trip. And, as you say, it would +also keep Dotty at home, and so, altogether, I think I shall have to +give in." + +"Oh, you angel mother! You blessed lady! How good you are!" And Dolly +flew around the table and gave her mother a hug that nearly suffocated +her. + +"There, there, Dollygirl," said her father, "go back and finish your +pudding while we talk this over a bit. Are you sure, Edith, you are +willing? I don't want you to feel miserable and anxious all the week +Dolly is cut loose from your apron string." + +"No, Will; it's all right. If you and the Roses and Trudy, here, all +agree it's best for Dolly to go, it seems foolish for me to object. +And it may be for her good, after all." + +"That's what I say, mother," put in Trudy. "Doll isn't a child, +exactly. She's fifteen and a half, and it will be a fine experience +for her to see a little bit of the great world. And she couldn't do it +under better conditions than at Mr. Forbes' brother's. The Forbes' are +a fine family, and you know, perfectly well, there'll be nothing there +that isn't just exactly right." + +"It isn't that, Trudy. But,--oh, I don't know; I daresay I'm a foolish +mother bird, afraid of her littlest fledgling." + +"You're a lovely mother-bird!" cried Dolly, "and not foolish a bit! +but, oh, do decide positively, for I can't wait another minute to tell +Dot, if I'm going." + +"Very well," said Mrs. Fayre, "run along and tell Dotty, and Bernice, +too." + +Dolly made a jump and two hops for the telephone, and soon the wires +must have bent under the weight of joyous exclamations. + +"Oh, Dolly, isn't it fine!" + +"Oh, Dotty, it's splendid! I can hardly believe it!" + +"Have you told Bernice?" + +"Not yet. Had to tell you first. When do we go?" + +"Next Tuesday, I think. Now, you tell Bernie, so she can write to her +uncle that we accept." + +And then there was another jubilation over the telephone. + +"Fine!" cried Bernice, as she heard the news. "Lovely! I'd so much +rather have you two girls than any others. I'll write Uncle Jeff to- +night that I'll bring you. And I'll come over to-morrow, and we'll +decide what clothes to take, and all that." + +Mrs. Fayre sighed, as Dolly reported this conversation. + +"You girls can't do a bit of serious study all the rest of the time +before you go," she said. "Now, Dolly, I'll have to ask you to do your +lessons every day, before you plan or talk over the trip at all." + +"Yes, mother, I will," and Dolly started at once for her schoolbooks. + +It was hard work to put her mind on her studies, with the wonderful +possibilities that lay ahead of her. But she was exceedingly +conscientious, was Dolly Fayre, and she resolutely put the subject of +the New York visit out of her mind, and did her algebra examples with +diligence. + +Not so, Dotty Rose. After Dolly's telephone message, she flung her +schoolbooks aside, with a shout of joy, and declared she couldn't +study that night. + +"I don't wonder," laughed her father. "Why, Dot, you're going on a +veritable Fairy-tale visit. You are quite justified in being excited +over it." + +"I thought you and Dolly didn't like Bernice Forbes very much," said +Mrs. Rose. + +"We didn't use to, mother. But lately, she's been a whole lot nicer. +You know Doll made her sort of popular, and after that, she helped +along, herself, by being ever so much more pleasant and chummy with us +all. She used to be stuck up and disagreeable; ostentatious about +being rich, and all that. But nowadays, she's more simple, and more +agreeable every way." + +"That's nice," observed Mr. Rose. "Forbes is not a popular man, nor a +very good citizen; I mean he isn't public-spirited or generous. But +he's a fine business man and a man of sound judgment and integrity. +I'm glad you're chums with his daughter, Dotty. And you ought to have +a perfectly gorgeous time on the New York visit." + +"Oh, we will, Daddy; I'm sure of that. What about clothes, Mumsie?" + +"I'll have to see about that. You'll need a few new frocks, I suppose, +but we can get them ready made, or get Miss Felton to come for a few +days. There's nearly a week before you start." + +"I want some nice things," declared Dotty. You know Bernice has +wonderful clothes, and I suppose her cousin has, too." + +"Maybe your wardrobe can't be as fine as a rich man's daughter," said +her father smiling at her, "but I hope mother will fix you up so you +won't feel ashamed of your clothes." + +"I think they'll be all right," and Mrs. Rose nodded her head. "I'll +see Mrs. Fayre to-morrow, and we'll find out what Bernice is going to +take with her. You children can't need elaborate things, but they must +be right." + +The Rose family spent the entire evening talking over the coming trip, +and when Dotty went to bed she set an alarm clock, that she might rise +early in the morning to do her lessons for the day before breakfast. +She did them, too, and came to the table, smiling in triumph. + +"Did all my examples and learned my history perfectly," she exulted. +"So you see, mother, my trip won't interfere with my education!" + +"Oh, you can make up your lessons," said her father, carelessly. "I +wouldn't give much for a girl who couldn't do a few extra tasks to +make up for a grand outing such as you're to have." + +"I either!" agreed Dotty. "But the Fayres are worried to death for +fear Doll will miss a lesson somewhere." + +"Dolly learns more slowly than you," remarked her mother. "You have a +gift for grasping facts quickly, and a good memory to retain them." + +"You ought to be grateful for that," said Mr. Rose. + +"I am," returned Dotty. "When I see Dolly grubbing over her history, I +can't understand how she can be so long over it." + +"But she's better in mathematics than you are." + +"Yes, she is. She helps me a lot with the old puzzlers. She thinks +we'll study in New York. But somehow, I don't believe we will." + +"Of course, you won't," laughed Mr. Rose. "Why, you'd be foolish to do +that. A fine opportunity has come to you girls, and I advise you to +make the most of it. See all the sights you can; go to all the +pleasant places you can; and have all the fun you can cram into your +days. Then go to sleep and rest up for the next day." + +"Good, sound advice, Dads," said Dotty; "you're a gentleman and a +scholar to look at it like that! But I don't know as we can go about +much; I believe Mr. Forbes is quite an old man, and who will take us +about?" + +"I thought the housekeeper would," said Mrs. Rose. + +"I don't know at all, mother. It seems Bernie has never visited there +before, though she has been to the house. Her uncle is queer, and why +he wants his two nieces all of a sudden, and his two nieces' friends, +nobody knows. It's sort of mysterious, I think." + +"Well, it's all right, as long as you're properly invited. It seems +strange Bernie's cousin didn't care to take a friend." + +"Yes; I wonder what she's like. Bernice hasn't seen her since they +were little girls. She lives out in Iowa, I think. She's at school in +Connecticut somewhere. It's all sort of unknown. But I like that part +of it. I love new experiences." + +"I always do too, Dot," said her father. "I reckon when you come home, +you'll have lots to tell us." + +"New York isn't so strange to me," said Dotty. "I've been there a lot +of times, you know. But to go and stay in a house there,--that's the +fun. It's so different from going in for a day's shopping with mother. +Or the day we all went to the Hippodrome." + +"You'll probably go to the Hippodrome again, or some such +entertainment," suggested Mrs. Rose. + +"I dunno. I imagine the old gentleman doesn't favour such gaiety. And +the housekeeper lady will likely be too busy to do much for us. We +can't go anywhere alone, can we?" + +"I don't know," replied Mrs. Rose. "You must be guided by +circumstances, Dotty. Whatever Mr. Forbes and Mrs. Berry say for you +to do, will be all right. Make as little trouble as you can, and do as +you're told. You'll have fun enough, just being with the girls." + +"Indeed I will! Oh, I'm so glad Dolly can go. I wouldn't have stirred +a step without her!" + +"No, I know you wouldn't," agreed her mother. + +Next day at school recess, Bernice showed the girls a letter she had +received from Alicia. + +"You know I haven't seen her in years," Bernice said; "I think she +must be more grown up than we are, though she's only just sixteen." + +"Dearest Bernice:" the letter ran. + +"Isn't it simply screaming that we're to camp out at Uncle Jeff's! I'm +wildly excited over it! Do you know why he has asked us? I'm not sure, +myself, but I know there's a reason, and it's a secret. I heard aunt +and father talking about it when I was home at Christmas time, but +when I drifted into the room, they shut up like clams. However, we'll +have one gay old time! Think of being in New York a whole week! I +don't want to take any of the girls from here, for fear they'd bring +back tales. Don't you bring anybody you can't trust. Oh, I've laid +lots of plans, but I won't tell you about them till I see you. Bring +all your best clothes, and ask your father for quite a lot of money, +though I suppose Uncle Jeff will give us some. I can scarcely wait for +the time to come! + + "Devotedly yours, +"ALICIA." + +"What does she mean by a secret reason for your going?" asked Dolly. + +"I haven't an idea," replied Bernice. "My father knows, though, I'm +quite sure, 'cause he smiled at that part of Alicia's letter. But he +wouldn't tell me. He only said, 'Oh, pshaw, nothing of any +consequence. It's very natural that a lonely old bachelor uncle should +want to see his little girl nieces, and it's very kind and thoughtful +of him to ask you to bring friends.' He says Uncle Jeff is not fond of +company, and spends all his time by himself. He's a scientist or +naturalist or something, and works in his study all day. So, dad says, +it'll be fine for us girls to have four of us to be company for each +other." + +"It's gorgeous!" sighed Dotty, in an ecstasy of anticipation. "But +what does your cousin mean by bringing a lot of money? We can't do +that,--and our parents don't let us spend much money ourselves, +anyway." + +"Oh, that'll be all right," said Bernice, carelessly. "We won't need +much money. And if we go to matinees, or anything like that, of +course, I'll pay, if Uncle Jeff doesn't. You two girls are my guests, +you know. You needn't take any money at all." + +"All right," said Dolly, and dismissed the subject. Money did not +figure very largely in her affairs, as, except for a small allowance +for trifles, she never handled any. Nor did Dotty, as these two were +still looked upon as children by their parents. + +But motherless Bernice bought her own clothes and paid her own bills; +and so generous was her father, that there was no stint, and as a +consequence, she too, cared and thought little about money as a +consideration. + +"I'm a little scared of that Alicia person," said Dolly to Dotty as +they walked home from school. + +"Pooh! I'm not. She's no richer than Bernie." + +"It isn't that. I'm not afraid of rich people. But she seems so grown +up and--well, experienced." + +"Well, sixteen is grown up. And we're getting there, Dolly. I shall +put up my hair while I'm in New York." + +"Why, Dot Rose! Really?" + +"Yes, that is if Alicia does. Bernice often does, you know." + +"I know it. I'll ask mother if I may." + +"Goodness, Dolly, can't you decide a thing like that for yourself? +What would your mother care?" + +"I'd rather ask her," returned the conscientious Dolly. + +Mrs. Fayre smiled when Dolly put the question. "I've been expecting +that," she said. "You'd better do as the others do, dear. If they +twist up their pigtails, you do the same." + +"I'll show you how," offered Trudy. "If you're going to do it, you may +as well learn a becoming fashion." + +So Trudy taught her little sister how to coil up her yellow, curly mop +in a correct fashion, and very becoming it was to Dolly. + +But it made her look a year or two older than she was. + +"Oh!" exclaimed her mother, when she saw her, "Where's my baby? I've +lost my little girl!" + +"Just as well," said Dolly, delighted at her achievement and +pirouetting before a mirror. "it's time I began to be a little grown +up, mother." + +"Yes, I suppose it is. I felt just the same when Trudy put up her +curls for the first time. I am a foolish old thing!" + +"Now, don't you talk like that," cried Dolly, "or I'll pull down my +hair and wear it in tails till I'm fifty!" + +"No, dear; do as you like about it. And, if you want to wear it that +way while you're in New York, do. It's all right." + +More discussions came with the new dresses. Mrs. Fayre was for keeping +to the more youthful models, but Mrs. Hose felt that the girls should +have slightly older styles. Bernice's frocks were almost young +ladyish, but those were not copied. + +Dotty and Dolly always had their things similar, different in +colouring but alike in style. So their respective mothers had many +confabs before the grave questions were settled. + +And the result was two very attractive wardrobes that were really +right for fifteen-year-old girls. Afternoon dresses of voile or thin +silk, and one pretty party dress for each of dainty chiffon and lace. +Morning frocks of linen and a tailored street suit seemed to be ample +in amount and variety. + +Bernice had more and grander ones, but the two D's were entirely +satisfied, and watched the packing of their small trunks with joyful +contentment. + +Dolly put in her diary, declaring she should write a full account of +each day's happenings. + +"Then that'll do for me," said Dotty. "I hate to keep a diary, and +what would be the use? It would be exactly like yours, Doll, and I can +borrow yours to read to my people after you've read it to your +family." + +"All right," agreed Dolly, good-naturedly, for what pleased one girl +usually suited the other. + +They didn't take their schoolbooks, for it made a heavy load, and too, +all agreed that it would spoil the pleasant vacation. The girls +promised to make up the lessons on their return, and so it seemed as +if nothing marred the anticipation of their splendid holiday. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE ARRIVAL + + +The girls were put on the train at Berwick and as Mrs. Berry was to +meet them at the station in New York, they were allowed to make the +trip alone. + +"I think this train ride the best part of the whole thing," said +Dolly, as she took off her coat and hung it up beside her chair. "I do +love to ride in a parlour car; I wish we were to travel in it for a +week." + +"I like it, too," agreed Bernice. "Oh, girls, what fun we're going to +have! You won't like Uncle Jeff at first, he's awful queer; but +there's one thing sure, he'll let us do just as we like. He's very +good-natured." + +"What's Mrs. Berry like?" asked Dotty. "I suppose we'll obey her?" + +"Yes, but she's good-natured, too. I can twist her round my finger. +Oh, we'll have a high old time." + +"S'pose Mrs. Berry shouldn't be there to meet us when we get in," +suggested Dolly. "What then?" + +"She will, of course," said Bernice. "But if she shouldn't, if the car +broke down or anything like that, we'd take a taxicab right to the +house." + +This sounded very grown-up and grand to the two D's, who had had +little experience with taxicabs, and Dotty exclaimed with glee, "I'd +rather do that than go in Mr. Forbes' car! What a lark it would be! +Oh, Bernice, can we go somewhere in a taxicab while we're there?" + +"I don't know, Dotty,--I s'pose so. But why should we? Uncle Jeff has +two cars, and the chauffeur will take us wherever we want to go." + +"But I've never been in a taxicab,--without older people, I mean, and +I'd love to try it." + +"Well, I expect you can," returned Bernice, carelessly. "I dare say +you can do pretty much anything you want to." + +"But do behave yourself, Dot," cautioned Dolly; "you're so daring and +venturesome, I don't know what mischief you'll get into!" + +"Oh, we won't get into mischief," laughed Bernice. "There'll be enough +fun, without doing anything we oughtn't to." + +"Of course, I won't do anything wrong," declared Dotty, indignantly. +"But there are so many things to do, it sets me crazy to think of it!" + +"I'm going to buy things," announced Bernice. "There aren't any decent +shops in Berwick, and I'm going to get lots of things in the city +stores." + +"We can't do that," said Dolly, decidedly. "We haven't lots of money +like you have, Bernie; I'm going to see things. I want to see all the +pictures I possibly can. I love to look at pictures." + +"I want to go to the theatre," and Dotty looked at Bernice +inquiringly. "Will we, do you s'pose?" + +"Oh, yes, Mrs. Berry will take us. Perhaps we can go to matinees, +alone." + +"I don't think we ought to do that," and Dolly looked distinctly +disapproving. + +"Oh, come now, old priggy-wig," said Dotty, "don't be too awfully +'fraidcat!" + +"It will be just as Mrs. Berry says," Bernice informed them. "Father +said I must obey her in everything. Uncle Jeff won't pay much +attention to what we do, but Mrs. Berry will. I wonder if Alicia will +be there when we get there." + +But Alicia wasn't. As the girls came up the stairs into the great +station, they saw a smiling, motherly-looking lady waiting to welcome +them. + +"Here you are!" she cried, and it wasn't necessary for Bernice to +introduce her friends, except to tell which was which. + +"I feel as if I knew you," Mrs. Berry said, and her kindly grey eyes +beamed at them both. "Now I must learn to tell you apart. Dolly with +golden hair,--Dotty with black. Is that it?" + +"Is Alicia here?" asked Bernice, eagerly. + +"No; she's coming in at the other station. She won't arrive for an +hour or more. Where are your checks? Let George take them." + +The footman took the checks and looked after them, while Mrs. Berry +piloted the girls to the waiting motor-car. + +It was a large and very beautiful limousine, and they all got in, and +were soon rolling up Fifth Avenue. + +"How splendid it all is!" exclaimed Dolly, looking out at the crowds." +It seems as if we must get all snarled up in the traffic, but we +don't." + +"Kirke is a very careful driver," said Mrs. Berry, "and he understands +just where to go. How you've grown, Bernice. I haven't seen you for +two years, you know." + +"Yes, I have. We're all getting to be grown-ups, Mrs. Berry. Isn't +Alicia?" + +"I don't know. I haven't seen her for a long time. But she's at a very +fashionable school, so I suppose she is full of notions." + +"What are notions?" asked Dolly, smiling up into the speaker's eyes. + +"Oh, notions," and Mrs. Berry laughed, "well, it's thinking you know +it all yourself, and not being willing to listen to advice. I don't +believe you have notions, Dolly." + +"No, she hasn't," said Bernice. "But Dotty and I have! However, I +promised Dad I'd obey you, Mrs. Berry, in everything you say, so I +don't believe you'll have any trouble with us." + +"Land, no! I don't expect any. Now, let me see; I've two big rooms for +you all, with two beds in each. I suppose you'll room with your +cousin, Bernice, and these other two girls together?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Dolly, quickly, for she had no idea of rooming +with any one but Dotty. + +"That settles itself, then." + +"But suppose I don't like Alicia," said Bernice, doubtfully. "Suppose +we quarrel." + +"All right," and Mrs. Berry nodded her head, "there are other rooms. I +don't want you to be uncomfortable in any particular. I thought you'd +like it better that way. The two rooms I've fixed for you, are two big +ones on the second floor. Mine is on the same floor, in the rear. Your +uncle's rooms are upon the third floor," + +"I think it sounds fine," declared Bernice, "and I'm sure I'll get on +with Alicia, if she does have 'notions.'" + +And then they reached the big house on upper Fifth Avenue, and as they +entered, Dolly felt a little appalled at the grandeur everywhere about +her. Not so Dotty. She loved elegance, and as her feet sank into the +deep soft rugs, she laughed out in sheer delight of being in such +beautiful surroundings. Mrs. Berry took the girls at once to their +rooms, and sent the car for Alicia. + +"I'll give the front room to Dotty and Dolly," she said to Bernice; +"and you can have the other. It's quite as nice, only it looks out on +the side street, not on the Avenue." + +"That's right, Mrs. Berry. Dot and Dolly are more company than Alicia +and I are. We're really members of the family. I was so surprised at +Uncle Jeff's inviting us. Why did he do it, anyway?" + +"Why, indeed!" said Mrs. Berry, but her expression was quizzical. "No +one can tell why Mr. Forbes does things! He is a law unto himself. +Now, girls, your trunks are coming up. And here are two maids to +unpack for you and put your things away. You can direct them." + +Mrs. Berry bustled away, and two neat-looking maids appeared, one of +whom entered Bernice's room and the other attended on Dot and Dolly. + +"Which frocks shall I leave out for dinner?" the maid asked, as she +shook out and hung up the dresses in the wardrobe. + +"The blue voile for me," replied Dolly, "and--er--what is your name?" + +"Foster, miss," and she smiled at Dolly's gentle face. + +"And the rose-coloured voile for me," directed Dotty. "You'll find, +Foster, that our frocks are pretty much alike except as to colour." + +"Yes, ma'am. And these patent leather pumps, I daresay?" + +"Yes, that's right," and Dotty flung herself into a big easy-chair and +sighed in an ecstasy of delight that she really had a ladies' maid to +wait on her. Dolly didn't take it so easily. She wanted to look after +her own things, as she did at home. But Dotty motioned to her not to +do so, lest Foster should think them inexperienced or countrified. + +Their simple belongings were soon in place, and the two D's wandered +into Bernice's room. + +Here everything was helter-skelter. Finery was piled on beds and +chairs, and hats were flung on top of one another, while shoes and +veils, gloves and hair-brushes were scattered on the floor. + +"It's my fault," laughed Bernice, "don't blame Perkins for it! I'm +hunting for a bracelet, that has slipped out of my jewel case, +somehow. It must be in this lot of stockings!" + +It wasn't, but it turned up at last, inside of a hat, and Bernice gave +a little squeal of relief. + +"That's all right, then!" she cried; "I wouldn't lose that for worlds! +It's a bangle father gave me for Christmas, and it has a diamond in +the pendant. All right, Perkins, put the things away any place you +like. But save hooks and shelves enough for my cousin Alicia. She'll +be in this room with me." + +Each large room had what seemed to the two little women ample room for +clothes. But Bernice had brought so much more than they did, that her +things overflowed the space provided. + +"I'll wear this to-night, for dinner," she said, pulling out a light +green silk from a pile of frocks. + +"Oh, Bernie!" exclaimed Dotty; "not that! That's a party dress, isn't +it?" + +"Not exactly. I've more dressy ones. But it is a little fussy for a +quiet evening at home, I suppose. Well, what shall I wear?" + +"This?" and Dotty picked out a simple challie. + +"Oh, gracious, no! That's a morning frock. I guess I'll stick to the +green. Don't you think so, Perkins?" + +"Yes, miss. It's a lovely gown." The maid was interested in the girls, +her life in the quiet house being usually most uneventful. This sudden +invasion of young people was welcomed by all the servants, and there +were many in Jefferson Forbes' palatial home. Mrs. Berry had engaged +several extra ones to help with the increased work, but the two maids +assigned to the girls were trusted and tried retainers. + +And then, there was a bustle heard downstairs, a peal of laughter and +a perfect flood of chatter in a high, shrill voice, and with a +bounding run up the staircase, Alicia burst into the room where the +three girls were. + +"Hello, Bernice, old girl!" she shouted, and flung her arms around her +cousin's neck, giving her resounding smacks on her cheek. "Golly! +Molly! Polly! but I'm glad to see you again! Forgotten me, have you? +Take a good look! Your long lost Alicia! 'Tis really she! And look +who's here! I'll bet a pig these two stammering, blushing young misses +are the far-famed Dolly and Dotty, but which is which?" + +"Guess!" said Dotty, laughing, as Dolly stood dismayed, and half +frightened at this whirlwind of a girl. + +"All right, I'll guess. Lemmesee! Dolly Fayre and Dotty Rose;--you see +I know your names. Why, the fair one is Dolly of course, and that +leaves Dotty to be you!" + +"Right!" cried Dotty, and Alicia flew to her and grabbed her as +enthusiastically as she had Bernice. + +"Oh, you chickabiddy!" she cried. "I foresee we shall be chums! I love +Towhead, too, but I'm a little afraid of her. See her steely blue +eyes, even now, fixed on me in utter disapprobation!" + +"Not at all," said Dolly, politely, "I think you're very nice." + +The calm demureness of this speech was too much for Alicia, and she +went off in peals of laughter. + +"Oh, you're rich!" she cried; "simpully rich! WON'T we have fun! I'm +'most afraid I'll love you more'n the other one--the black haired +witch." And then Dolly was treated to an embrace that ruffled her hair +and collar and came near ruffling her temper. For Dolly didn't like +such sudden familiarity, but her good manners kept her from showing +her annoyance. + +"Oh, you don't fool me!" cried Alicia; "I know you think I'm awful! +Too rambunctious and all that! But I'm used to it! At school they call +me That Awful Alicia! How's that?" + +"Fine, if you like it--and I believe you do!" laughed Dolly. + +"Mind reader! I say, Bernice, where am I to put my togs! You've +squatted on every available foot of property in this room! I thought +it was to be ours together! But every single bed in the room is +covered with your rags. I've two trunks of duds, myself." + +"Two trunks! Why did you bring so much?" + +"Had to have it. There's lots of things I carry around with me beside +clothes. Why, I've brought a whole chafing-dish outfit." + +"Goodness, Alicia," exclaimed Bernice, "do you think Uncle Jeff won't +give us enough to eat?" + +"I take no chances. But it isn't that. It's thusly. Say we're out of +an evening, and on returning, are sent straight to beddy-by. How +comforting to have the necessary for a little spread of our own! Oh, +I've tried it out at school, and I can tell you there's something in +it. But, where, ladies and gentlemen, WHERE I ask you, can I put it? +Bernice has all the places full." + +"Leave it in your trunk," suggested Dolly, "until you want to use it." + +"Angel child!" cried Alicia. "I knew you had some brain concealed +among that mop of yellow silk floss! I'll do that same, and be +thankful if my voracious cousin leaves me enough room for a few scant +and skimpy clodings!" + +And then, as Perkins unpacked Alicia's trunks and Foster came in to +help, the room really seemed incapable of holding all. + +"We'd better get out, Doll," said Dotty, laughing, as Alicia deposited +an armful of petticoats and dressing jackets in her lap. + +"Oh, don't go! I want you to hold things till I find a place for them. +And, say, are your own wardrobes full?" + +"No!" cried Dolly. "Just the thing! Put your overflow in our room, +we've less than a dozen dresses between us." + +"Goodness gracious me! Oh, you're going to buy a lot in the city,--I +see!" + +"No, we're not," said Dolly, who never sailed under false colours; "we +brought all we had, all our best ones. I mean. But we don't have +things like you and Bernice." + +"You frank little bunch of honesty! Isn't she the darling! All right, +neighbours, since you insist, I'll put some seventeen or twenty-four +of my Paris confections in your empty cupboards." + +Of course, Alicia was exaggerating, but she really did take half a +dozen frocks into the two D's room, and hung them in outspread fashion +right over their best costumes. + +"And, now, since one good turn deserves another," she rattled on, +"I'll just toss my extra shoes and slippers into your lowest bureau +drawer, and my stockings into the next one. There's plenty of room." + +So there was, by crowding the contents already there. But Alicia was +so quick of motion, and so gay of speech that they couldn't refuse to +let her have her way. And, too, it seemed inevitable, for there wasn't +room for Alicia's things and Bernie's in the same room, and the D's +shelves and bureau drawers showed much vacancy. + +"Now, what do we wear this evening?" Alicia asked, tossing over her +dresses. "This, let us say?" She held up a low--necked evening gown of +silk tissue. + +"No, you goose," said Bernice, decidedly. "Your respected uncle would +think you were crazy! Here, wear this." + +Bernice picked out one of the least ornate, a pretty Dresden silk, and +then the girls all began to dress for dinner. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A MERRY QUARTETTE + + +"Ready for dinner, girls?" sounded a cheery voice, and Mrs. Berry came +bustling in. "Almost, aren't you? Try to remember that Mr. Forbes +doesn't like to be kept waiting." + +"I'm scared to death," said Bernice, frankly. "I never know what to +say to Uncle Jeff, anyway, and being a guest makes it all the harder." + +"Pooh! I'm not afraid," exclaimed Alicia. "Leave it to me. I'll +engineer the conversation and all you girls need to do is to chip in +now and then." + +Alicia was a tall, fair girl, larger than any of the others. She was +plump and jolly-looking, and had a breezy manner that was attractive +because of her smiling good-natured face. She laughed a great deal, +and seemed to have no lack of self-confidence and self-assurance. Her +dress had many fluttering ribbons of vivid pink, and frills of lace of +an inexpensive variety. + +She led the way downstairs, calling out, "March on, march on to +victory!" and the others followed. + +The four entered the drawing-room, and found there a tall, dignified +gentleman, in full evening dress. He had a handsome face, though a +trifle stern and forbidding of expression, and his closely trimmed +white beard was short and pointed. He had large, dark eyes, which +darted from one girl to the other as the quartette appeared. + +"H'm," he said, "this is Bernice; how do you do, my dear? How do you +do?" + +"I'm Alicia," announced that spry damsel, gaily, and she caught him by +the hand. + +"Yes, and very like your mother, my dear sister. Well, Alicia, if you +possess half her fine traits, you'll make a splendid woman. But I +doubt if you are very much like her except in appearance. You look to +me like a flibbertigibbet,--if you know what that is." + +"Yes, and I am one, thank you, Uncle Jeff," and Alicia laughed gaily, +not at all abashed at her uncle's remark. + +"These are my two friends from Berwick, uncle," said Bernice, +introducing them. "Dolly Fayre and Dotty Rose." + +"You are welcome, my dears," and the courteous old gentleman bowed to +them with great dignity. "I trust you can find amusement and enjoy +your visit here. Now, let us dine." + +Dolly looked curiously at her host, as he stood back, and bowed the +girls out of the room, before he followed them, but Dotty was so +interested in the surroundings that she gave no second thought to Mr. +Forbes, as she passed him. + +The dining-room was a marvel of old time grandeur. Nothing was modern, +but the heavy black walnut sideboard and chairs spoke of long usage +and old time ways. + +Mrs. Berry did not appear at the table, and evidently was not +expected, as no place was set for her. + +Mr. Forbes sat at the head, and two girls at either side. A grave- +faced, important looking butler directed the service, and two footmen +assisted. Everything was of the best, and wonderfully cooked and +served, but Dolly and Dotty could scarcely eat for the novelty and +interest of the scene. + +"Come, come, Miss Fayre, eat your terrapin," counselled Mr. Forbes, +"it is not so good cold." + +"Oh, gracious, Uncle Jeff," exclaimed the volatile Alicia, "don't call +those kids Miss! Call 'em Dotty and Dolly, do." + +"Can't remember which is which," declared her uncle, looking at the +two D's. "I can remember the last names, because the Fayre girl is +fair, and the Rose girl is rosy. I shall call them Rosy and Fairy, I +think." + +"All right, Mr. Forbes," and Dolly smiled and dimpled at the pretty +conceit. + +"And you two must call me something less formal," he said. "Suppose +you call me Uncle Forbes, as you are not really my nieces." + +This seemed a fine plan and was readily adopted. + +"And now," Mr. Forbes went on, "I don't mind confessing that I've no +idea what to do with you girls. By way of entertainment, I mean." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," said Bernice, "it's enough entertainment just to be +here in New York for a week. Why, we will have all we can do to see +the shops and the sights--I suppose we can go around sight-seeing?" + +"Bless my soul, yes. Of course you can. Go where you like. Order the +motors whenever you choose. Mrs. Berry will do all you want her to; +just tell her your plans. All I ask is that I shan't be troubled with +you during the day." + +"Why, uncle," cried Alicia, "won't we see you at all in the daytime?" + +"No. I am a very busy man. I cannot have my work interrupted by a pack +of foolish chatterers." + +"Whatever did you ask us for?" Alicia's round face wore a look of +surprised inquiry. + +"Never you mind, miss. I had a very good reason for asking you, but +one doesn't always tell his reasons. However, I expect to see you +every night at the dinner table, and for an hour or so afterward in +the drawing room. The rest of the time you must amuse yourselves. Have +you any friends in New York, any of you?" + +"I have a few," said Dotty, as the inquiring glance turned in her +direction. + +"Invite them to the house when you choose," said Mr. Forbes, +hospitably, if curtly. + +"Oh, no, sir," said Dotty, quickly. "They wouldn't fit in." + +Mr. Forbes chuckled. "You have a sense of the fitness of things, Miss +Rosy. Why wouldn't they fit in?" + +"Why, they're plain people. Not grand and elegant like you." + +"Oho! So I'm grand and elegant, am I? And are you grand and elegant, +too?" + +Dotty considered. "Yes," she said, finally, "I am, while I'm here. I'm +very adaptable, and while I'm in New York, I mean to be just as grand +and elegant as the house itself." + +Mr. Forbes burst into hearty laughter. "Good for you!" he cried. "When +you're in Rome do as the Romans do. And you, Fairy of the golden +curls. Are you going to be grand, also?" + +"I can't," returned Dolly, simply. "I can only be myself, wherever I +am. But I shall enjoy all the beautiful things as much as Dotty." + +Again Mr. Forbes laughed. "You're a great pair," he said. "I'm glad I +discovered you. And now, Bernice and Alicia, haven't you any young +friends in town you'd like to invite to see you here? Remember the +house is yours." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," cried Alicia, "you are too good! Do you mean it? Can +we do just as we like? Invite parties, and all that?" + +"Yes, indeed. Why not? Have the best time possible, and see to it that +those two little friends of yours have a good time, too." + +"But won't you go with us anywhere?" asked Bernice; "I thought you'd +take us to see places where we can't go alone." + +"Bless my soul! Take a lot of chattering magpies sightseeing! No, not +if I know it! Mrs. Berry will take you; and on a pinch, I might let my +secretary accompany you, say to see the downtown big buildings or the +bright lights at night." + +"Oh, do you have a secretary?" asked Alicia. "What's he like?" + +"Fenn? Oh, he's a good sort. Very dependable and really accommodating. +He'll be of great help to you, I'm sure." + +"What is your business, Mr. Forbes?" asked Dolly, who was much +interested in this strange type of man. She had never seen any one +like him, and he seemed to her a sort of fairy godfather, who waved +his wand and gave them all sorts of wonderful gifts. + +"I haven't any business, my dear. My occupation and amusement is +collecting specimens for my collection. I am an entomologist and +ornithologist, if you know what those big words mean." + +"Yes, sir, I do." And Dolly smiled back at him. "Mayn't we see your +collection?" + +"I'm not sure about that, I don't show it to everybody. It is up on +the fourth floor of this house, and no one is allowed up there unless +accompanied by myself or Mr. Fenn. By the way, remember that, all of +you. On no account go up to the fourth floor. Not that you'd be likely +to, for you have no call above the second floor, where your rooms are. +But this is a special command. The house is yours, as I said, but that +means only this first floor and the one above it." + +"Goodness me, Uncle Jeff!" said Alicia, "you needn't lay down the law +so hard! We're not absolute babes, to be so strictly cautioned and +forbidden! If you desire us not to go up the second flight of stairs, +of course we won't." + +"That's right, my dear, don't. But I do lay it down as a law, and it +is the only law I shall impose on you. Except for that you can follow +out your own sweet wills." + +"But," said Dotty, her dark eyes brilliant with the excitement of the +occasion, "I'm not always sure as to what is proper. I want to do just +what is right. Is it correct for us to go about alone, in your big +motor, with your chauffeur? Can we go to the art galleries and the +shops alone?" + +"Bless my soul! I don't know." The big man looked absolutely helpless. +"Surely you must know such things yourselves. What do your mothers let +you do at home? Oh, well, if you're uncertain, ask Mrs. Berry, she'll +know. She's an all-round capable person, and she'll know all the +unwritten laws about chaperonage and such things. Do as she bids you." + +This was satisfactory, and Dotty began at once to make plans for the +next day. + +"Let's go to the Metropolitan Museum first," she said. + +"All right," chimed in Alicia, "we'll go there in the morning, then. +But to-morrow is Wednesday, and I want to go to a matinee in the +afternoon. Can't we, Uncle Jeff?" + +"Of course you can. Tell Fenn, he'll see about tickets for you. Just +tell Mrs. Berry to see Fenn about it." + +"Oh," sighed the outspoken Dotty, "it is just like Fairyland! Tell +Fenn! Just as if Fenn were a magician!" + +"He is," said Mr. Forbes, smiling at her enthusiasm. "I couldn't keep +house without Fenn. He's my right hand man for everything. You girls +mustn't claim too much of his time and attention, for I keep him on +the jump most of the time myself." + +"Does your collection keep you so busy?" asked Dolly, whose secret +longing was to see that same collection, which greatly interested her. + +"Yes, indeed. There's always work to be done in connection with it. +I've a lot of new specimens just arrived to-day, awaiting +classification and tabulation." + +After dinner they all returned to the drawing-room. Mr. Forbes seemed +desirous of keeping up a general conversation, but it was hard to find +a subject to interest him. He would talk a few moments, and then lapse +into absent-mindedness and almost forget the girls' presence. + +At times, he would get up from his chair, and stalk up and down the +room, perhaps suddenly pausing in front of one of them, and asking a +direct question. + +"How old are you?" he asked abruptly of Alicia. + +"Sixteen," she replied. "I was sixteen last October." + +"You look like your mother at that age. She was my only sister. She +has now been dead--" + +"Ten years," prompted Alicia. "I was a little child when she died." + +"And who looks after you now? Your father's sister, isn't it?" + +"Yes, Uncle Jeff. My Aunt Nellie. But I'm at school, you know. I shall +be there the next four years, I suppose." + +"Yes, yes, to be sure. Yes, yes, of course. And you, Bernice? You have +no mother, either. But who looks after you?" + +"I look after myself, Uncle. Father thinks there's no necessity for me +to have a chaperon in our little home town." + +"Not a chaperon, child, but you ought to have some one to guide and +teach you." + +"Dad doesn't think so. He says an American girl can take care of +herself." + +"Maybe so, maybe so. It might be a good thing for you to go to school +with Alicia." + +"It might be. But I like our High School at home, and we learn a lot +there." + +"But not the same kind of learning. Do they teach you manners and +general society instruction?" + +"No," said Bernice, smiling at thought of such things in connection +with the Berwick school. "But my father thinks those things come +naturally to girls of good families." + +"Maybe so, maybe so." And then Mr. Forbes again walked up and down the +long room, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. + +Dolly and Dotty felt a little uncomfortable. They wanted to make +themselves agreeable and entertaining, but their host seemed +interested exclusively in his young relatives, and they hesitated lest +they intrude. + +As it neared ten o'clock, Mr. Forbes paused in his pacing of the room, +bowed to each of the four in turn, and then saying, courteously, "I +bid you goodnight," he vanished into the hall. + +Immediately Mrs. Berry entered. It seemed a relief to see her kind, +smiling face after the uncertain phases of their eccentric host. + +"Now you young people must go to bed," the housekeeper said; "you're +tired,--or ought to be. Come along." + +Not at all unwillingly they followed her upstairs, and she looked +after their comfort in most solicitous fashion. + +After she had shown them how to ring the various bells to call the +maids or to call her, in emergency, and had drawn their attention to +the ice water in thermos bottles, and told them how to adjust the +ventilators, she bade them good-night and went away. + +The rooms had a communicating door, and this Alicia promptly threw +open and came through into the two D's room. + +"Oh, isn't it all the greatest fun! And did you EVER see anything so +crazy as Uncle Jeff? What he wants us here for, _I_ don't know! But +it's something,--and something especial. He never asked us here to +amuse him! Of that I'm certain." + +"Not much he didn't!" and Bernice followed Alicia, and perched on the +edge of Dolly's bed. "Isn't he queer? I didn't know he was so funny as +he is. Did you, Alicia?" + +"No; I haven't seen him since I was a tiny mite. But he's all right. +He knows what he's about and I don't wonder he doesn't want us +bothering around if he's busy." + +"I'd love to see his collection," said Dolly. "I'm awfully interested +in such things." + +"Oh, well, you'll probably have a chance to see it while we're here," +and Alicia began taking down her hair. "Now, girls, let's get to bed, +for I'm jolly well tired out. But I foresee these poky evenings right +along, don't you? We'll have to cram a lot of fun into our days, if +the evenings are to be spent watching an elderly gentleman stalking +around thus." And then Alicia gave a very good imitation of the way +Mr. Forbes walked around. She didn't ridicule him; she merely +burlesqued his manner as he paused to speak to them in his funny, +abrupt way. + +"What are you, my dear?" she said, looking at Dolly. "Are you a +specimen I can use in my collection? No? Are you a fashionable +butterfly? I say, Bernice," she suddenly broke off, "why was he so +curious about the way we live at home, and who brings us up?" + +"I don't know; and anyway, he knew how long our mothers have been dead +and who takes care of us. Why did he ask those things over and over?" + +"I think he's a bit absent-minded. Half the time he was thinking of +matters far removed from this charming quartette of bewitching +beauties. Well, it's up to us to make our own good time. I move we +corral the big limousine for to-morrow morning and go in search of +adventure." + +"To the Metropolitan?" suggested Dolly. + +"Yes, if you like, though I'd rather go to the shops," and Alicia +gathered up her hairpins to depart. Her long light hair hung round her +shoulders, and she pushed it back as she affectionately kissed Dolly +and Dotty good-night. "You are sure two darlings!" she said +emphatically. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +GOING ABOUT + + +Four smiling, eager girls trooped down to breakfast the next morning, +and found Mrs. Berry awaiting them. She presided at the table, and +they learned that she would always do so at breakfast and luncheon, +though she did not dine with them. + +"Uncle Jeff says we may go to a matinee to-day," said Alicia, +delightedly. "Will you see about the tickets, Mrs. Berry? Uncle said +Mr. Fenn would get them if you asked him to." + +"Yes, my dear. And what are your plans for the morning? Do you want +the car?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Bernice." We're going to the Museum and I don't +know where else." + +"To the Library, if we have time," suggested Dolly. "I want to see all +the places of interest." + +"Places of interest never interest me," declared Alicia. "I think +they're poky." + +"All right," returned Dolly, good-naturedly, "I'll go wherever you +like." + +"Now, don't be so ready to give in, Doll," cautioned Bernice. "You +have as much right to your way as Alicia has to hers." + +"No, I haven't," and Dolly smiled brightly; this is the house of +Alicia's uncle, and not mine." + +"Well, he's my uncle, too, and what I say goes, as much as Alicia's +commands." + +"There, there, girls, don't quarrel," said Mrs. Berry, in her amiable +way. "Surely you can all be suited. There are two cars, you know, and +if you each want to go in a different direction, I'll call taxi-cabs +for you." + +Dolly and Dotty stared at this new lavishness, and Dotty said, +quickly, "Oh, no, don't do that! We all want to be together, wherever +we go. And I think, as Dolly does, that Bernice and Alicia must +choose, for they belong here and we're guests." + +"You're two mighty well-behaved little guests," and Mrs. Berry beamed +at them. "Well, settle it among yourselves. Now, what matinee do you +want to go to? I'll order tickets for you." + +"Will you go with us, Mrs. Berry?" asked Dolly. + +"No, child. I hope you'll let me off. You girls are old enough to go +alone in the daytime, and Kirke will take you and come to fetch you +home. Now, what play?" + +"I want to see 'The Lass and the Lascar'; that's a jolly thing, I +hear," said Alicia, as no one else suggested anything. + +"Musical?" asked Bernice. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Berry, "it's a comic opera, and a very good one. I've +seen it, and I'm sure you girls will enjoy it. I'll order seats for +that. Be sure to be home for luncheon promptly at one, so you can get +ready for the theatre." + +"I can't believe it all," whispered Dotty, pinching Dolly's arm, as +they ran upstairs to prepare for their morning's trip. "Think of our +going to all these places in one day!" + +"And six days more to come!" added Dolly. "Oh, it is too gorgeous!" + +Arrayed in warm coats and furs, the laughing quartette got into the +big car, and George, the polite footman, adjusted the robes, and asked +their destination. + +"To the Metropolitan Museum, first," said Alicia, unselfishly. + +"Oh," cried Dolly, with sparkling eyes, "are we really going there +first! How good of you, Alicia!" + +And from the moment they entered the vestibule of the great museum, +Dolly was enthralled with what she saw. Like one in a trance, she +walked from room to room, drinking in the beauty or strangeness of the +exhibits. She ignored the catalogues, merely gazing at the pictures or +curios with an absorbed attention that made her oblivious to all else. + +"Watch her," said Alicia, nudging Dotty. "She doesn't even know where +she is! Just now, she's back in Assyria with the people that wore that +old jewellery!" + +Sure enough Dolly was staring into a case of antique bracelets and +earrings of gold and jewels. She moved along the length of the case, +noting each piece, and fairly sighing with admiration and wonder. + +"My gracious! isn't she the antiquarian!" exclaimed Alicia. "Look +here, old Professor Wiseacre, what dynasty does this junk belong to?" + +Dolly looked up with a vacant stare. + +"Come back to earth!" cried Alicia, shaking with laughter. "Come back +to the twentieth century! We mourn our loss!" + +"Yes, come back, Dollums," said Dotty. "There are other rooms full of +stuff awaiting your approval." + +Dolly laughed. "Oh, you girls don't appreciate What you're seeing. +Just think! Women wore these very things! Real, live women!" + +"Well, they're not alive now," said Bernice, "and we are. So give us +the pleasure of your company. Say, Dolly, some day you come up here +all alone by yourself, and prowl around--" + +"Oh, I'd love to! I'll do just that. And then I won't feel that I'm +delaying you girls. Where do you want to go now?" + +"Anywhere out of this old museum," said Alicia, a little pettishly. +"You've had your way, Dotty, now it's only fair I should have mine. +We've about an hour left; let's go to the shops." + +"Yes, indeed," and Dolly spoke emphatically. "I didn't realise that I +was being a selfish old piggy-wig!" + +"And you're not," defended Bernice. "We all wanted to come here, but, +well, you see, Dolly, you do dawdle." + +"But it's such a wonder-place!" and Dolly gazed longingly backward as +they left the antiquities. "And there are rooms we haven't even looked +into yet." + +"Dozens of 'em," assented Alicia. "But not this morning, my +chickabiddy! I must flee to the busy marts and see what's doing in the +way of tempting bargains." + +"All right," and Dolly put her arm through Alicia's. "What are you +going to buy?" + +"Dunno, till I see something that strikes my fancy. But in the paper +this morning, I noticed a special sale of 'Pastime Toggery' at +Follansbee's. Let's go there." + +"Never heard of the place," said Dolly. "But let's go." + +"Never heard of Follansbee's! Why, it's the smartest shop in New York +for sport clothes." + +"Is it? We never get sport clothes. Unless you mean middies and +sweaters. My mother buys those at the department stores." + +"Oh, you can't get exclusive models there!" and Alicia's face wore a +reproving expression. + +"No," said outspoken Dolly, "but we don't wear exclusive models. We're +rather inclusive, I expect." + +"You're a duck!" cried Alicia, who, though ultra-fashionable herself, +liked the honesty and frankness of the two D's. + +They reached the shop in question, and the four girls went in. + +The Berwick girls were a little awed at the atmosphere of the place, +but Alicia was entirely mistress of the situation. She had many +costumes and accessories shown to her, and soon became as deeply +absorbed in their contemplation as Dolly had been in the Museum +exhibits. + +"Why, for goodness' sake!" cried Bernice, at last. "Are you going to +buy out the whole shop, Alicia?" + +"Why, I'm not going to buy any," returned Alicia, looking surprised; +"I'm just shopping, you know." + +"Oh, is that it? Well, let me tell you it isn't any particular fun for +us to look on while you 'shop'! And, anyway, it's time to be going +home, or we'll be late for the luncheon and for the matinee." + +"All right, I'll go now. But wait. I want to buy some little thing for +you girls,--sort of a souvenir, you know." + +"Good for you !" said Bernice, but Dolly demurred. + +"I don't think you ought to, Alicia," she said. "I don't believe my +mother would like me to take it." + +"Nonsense, Towhead! I'm just going to get trifles. Nobody could object +to my giving you a tiny token of my regard and esteem. Let me see,-- +how about silk sweaters? They're always handy to have in the house." + +Unheeding the girls' protestations, Alicia selected four lovely +colours, and asked the saleswoman to get the right sizes. + +Dolly's was robin's egg blue; Dotty's salmon pink; Bernice's, a deep +orange, and Alicia's own was white, as she declared she already had +every colour of the rainbow. + +Then she selected an old rose one for Mrs. Berry, getting permission +to exchange it if it should be a misfit. + +Alicia ordered the sweaters sent to her uncle's house, and the bill +sent to her father. This arrangement seemed perfectly satisfactory to +the shop people, and the girls set off for home. + +"I feel uncomfortable about that sweater," announced Dolly, as they +were on their way. + +"That doesn't matter," laughed Alicia, "so long as you don't feel +uncomfortable in it! Remove that anxious scowl, my little Towhead; I +love to give things to my friends, and you must learn to accept +trifles gracefully." + +"But it isn't a trifle, Alicia. I know mother won't like it." + +"Won't like that blue sweater! Why, it's a beauty!" + +"I don't mean that. I mean she won't like for me to take it,--to +accept it from you." + +"All right; tell her you bought it yourself." + +"Tell a story about it! No, thank you." Dolly's blue eyes fairly +flashed at the thought. + +"Well, my stars! Dolly, don't make such a fuss about it! Throw it +away, or give it to the scullery maid! You don't have to keep it!" + +Clearly, Alicia was annoyed. Dolly was far from ungrateful, and she +didn't know quite what to do. + +"Of course, she'll keep it," Dotty broke in, anxious to straighten +matters out. "She adores it, Alicia; but we girls aren't accustomed to +making each other gifts,--at least, not expensive ones." + +"Well, you needn't make a habit of it. One sweater doesn't make a +summer! I hope Mrs. Berry won't be so squeamish! If I thought she +would, I'd throw hers in the ash barrel before I'd give it to her!" + +"I s'pose I was horrid about it, Alicia," said Dolly, contritely; "I +do love it, really, you know I do; but, as Dotty says, we never give +such gifts. Why, I can't give you anything to make up for it--" + +"And I don't want you to! You little goose! But like as not, you can +sometime do something for me worth more than a dozen sweaters." + +"I hope so, I'm sure. Will you tell me if I can?" + +"Yes, baby-face! I declare, Dolly, it's hard to realise you're fifteen +years old! You act about twelve,--and look ten!" + +"Oh, not so bad as that!" and Dolly laughed gaily. "I s'pose I do seem +younger than I am, because I've always lived in a small town. We don't +do things like city girls." + +"'Deed we don't!" exclaimed Dotty. "I used to live in the city, and +when I went to Berwick it was like a different world. But I've come to +like it now." + +"I like it," said Bernice, decidedly. "I think we have a lot more fun +in Berwick than we could in New York. To live, I mean. Of course, this +visit here is lovely, but it's the novelty and the strange sights that +make it so. I wouldn't want to live in New York." + +"Neither would I," and Dolly shook her head very positively. + +"I would," said Alicia. "I'd just love to live here, in a house like +Uncle Jeff's, and have all these cars and servants and everything +fine." + +"No, thank you," Dolly rejoined. "It's beautiful for a week, but it +makes my head go round to think of living like this always." + +"Your head is not very securely fastened on, anyway," and Alicia +grinned at her. "You'll lose it some day!" + +"Maybe so," smiled Dolly, affably, and then they suddenly found they +were back home. + +"Good time, girlies?" called out Mrs. Berry, as they entered. "Lunch +is all ready; sit down and eat it, and get dressed for the matinee +afterward, Mr. Fenn got fine seats for you,--near the front. You'll +like the play, I know." + +And like the play they did. It was a light opera, of the prettiest +type, full of lovely scenery, gay costumes and bright, catchy music. +"The Lass and the Lascar" was its name, and the lass in question was a +charming little girl who seemed no older than the quartette +themselves. The Lascar was a tall, handsome man, whose swarthy East +Indian effects were picturesque and attractive. He had a magnificent +baritone voice, and the girls sat breathless when he sang his splendid +numbers. All four were fond of music and even more than the gay +splendour of the show they enjoyed the voices and orchestra. + +"Isn't he wonderful!" exclaimed Alicia, as the curtain fell on the +first act. "Oh, girls, isn't he SUPERB! I'm MADLY in love with him!" + +"He has a beautiful voice," agreed Dolly, "but I couldn't be in love +with him! He's too,--too ferocious!" + +"But that's his charm," declared Alicia, rolling her eyes in ecstasy. +"Oh, he is ideal! He's fascinating!" + +The curtain rose again, and the Lascar proved even more fascinating. +He was a daredevil type, as Lascars have the reputation of being, but +he was gentle and affectionate toward the Lass, who, for some +inexplicable reason, scorned his advances. + +"What a FOOL she is! WHAT a fool!" Alicia whispered, as the coquettish +heroine laughed at the impassioned love songs of her suitor. "I should +fall into his arms at once!" + +"Then there wouldn't be any more opera," laughed Bernice. "That fall +into his arms is always the last episode on the stage." + +"That's so," agreed Alicia, "but how can she flout him so? Oh, girls, +isn't he the grandest man? I never saw such a handsome chap! What a +lovely name he has, too: Bayne Coriell! A beautiful name." + +"Good gracious, Alicia! don't rave over him like that! Somebody will +hear you!" + +"I don't care. I never saw any one so wonderful! I'm going to get his +picture when we go out. I suppose it's for sale in the lobby. They +usually are." + +"Are they?" asked Dolly. "Then I want to get one of the Lass. Marie +Desmond, her name is. Can I, do you think?" + +"Yes, of course, Dollykins. You get that and I'll get my hero, my +idol, Bayne Coriell!" + +As it chanced the photographs were not on sale at the theatre, but an +usher told Alicia where they could be bought, and she directed Kirke +to stop there on the way home. + +She bought several different portraits of the man who had so +infatuated her and Dolly bought two photographs of Miss Desmond. The +other girls said they didn't care for any pictures, and laughed at the +enthusiasm of Alicia and Dolly. + +"I want this," Dolly defended herself, "because sometime I'm going to +be an opera singer. I did mean to sing in Grand Opera, and maybe I +will, but if I can't do that, I'll sing in light opera, and I like to +have this picture to remind me how sweet Miss Desmond looks in this +play." + +"Pooh," said Alicia, "that's all very well. But I want these pictures +of Bayne Coriell because he's such a glorious man! Why, he's as +handsome as Apollo. And, girls, I don't believe he's hardly any older +than we are." + +"Oh, he must be," returned Dotty. "Why, he's twenty-two or more, I'm +sure." + +"Maybe he is twenty, but not more than that. Oh, how I wish I could +meet him! Think of the joy of talking to a man like that!" + +"Well, it's not likely you'll ever meet Bayne Coriell," said Bernice, +laughing at the idea; "so you needn't hope for that!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A MATINEE IDOL + + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff," Alicia cried, as they gathered round the dinner- +table that same night, "we went to the splendidest play! It was a +light opera, 'The Lass and the Lascar.' Have you seen it?" + +"No, my dear, I rarely go to the theatre; never to foolish pieces like +that! But it's all right for you young people. So you enjoyed it, did +you? How did you like--" + +But Alicia's babble interrupted him. "Oh, Uncle, it was simply out of +sight! And the hero! Ah-h-h!" + +Alicia leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as if the memory +of the hero was overwhelming. + +"Took your fancy, did he?" asked her uncle, with a twinkle in his eye. +"Good-looking chap?" + +"Good-looking faintly expresses it!" and Alicia returned to +consciousness. "He was like a Greek god! And his CHARM! Oh, Uncle +Jeff, he is just indescribable! I wish you could SEE him." + +"Must be a paragon! What did the rest of you girls think! Were you hit +so hard?" + +Dotty laughed. "He was splendid, Uncle Forbes, "she said," but we +didn't fall so head over heels in love with him as Alicia did. He has +a stunning voice and he's a fine actor." + +"Oh, more than that!" raved Alicia. "He's a DARLING! a man of a +THOUSAND!" + +"A young man?" asked Mr. Forbes. + +"Yes," replied Bernice. "Alicia thinks he isn't twenty, but he can't +be much more. He looked a mere boy." + +"Wasn't that because he was made up as a young character in the play?" + +"Partly," admitted Alicia. "But he's a very young man, anyway. Oh, +Uncle Jeff, I'm just CRAZY over him! I think I shall go to see that +play every chance I can possibly get. Could we go to an evening +performance?" + +"Speak for yourself, John!" cried Bernice. "I don't want to see that +play again! I enjoyed it heaps, and I think Mr. Coriell was fine, but +next time we go I'd rather see something else." + +"So would I," said the two D's together. + +"How can you say so!" and Alicia looked at the others in scorn. +"You'll never find any actor who can hold a candle to Coriell! I have +his picture, Uncle," and, excusing herself, she left the table to get +them. + +"H'm, yes, a good-looking man," agreed Mr. Forbes, as he scrutinised +the photographs. "But, Alicia, you mustn't fall in love with every +operatic tenor you see. I believe this Coriell is a 'matinee idol,' +but don't allow him to engage your young affections." + +"Too late with your advice, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia gazed raptly at +the pictures. "I ADORE him! and the fact that my adoration is hopeless +makes it all the more interesting. Oh, isn't he a WONDER!" + +Gaily she set the pictures up in front of her, propping them on +glasses or salt cellars, and continued to make mock worship at his +shrine. + +"Don't be silly, Alicia," commented her uncle, but she only shook her +head at him, and gave a mournful sigh. + +The girls spent the evening much the same as they had done the night +before. They all sat in the stately drawing-room, and endeavoured to +make conversation. But Uncle Jeff was hard to talk to, for he rarely +stuck to one subject for more than five minutes at a time, and +abruptly interrupted the girls when they were trying their best to be +entertaining. + +Alicia continued to chatter about her new-found enthusiasm, until her +uncle commanded her to desist. + +"May I beg of you, Alicia," he said, sternly, "to cease raving over +that man? He's doubtless old enough to be your father, and would be +bored to death could he hear your nonsense about him!" + +Alicia looked put out, but a glance at her uncle's face proved his +seriousness, and she said no more about the actor. + +The evening wore away, but it seemed to the girls as if it never would +be ten o'clock. And it was greatly to their relief, when, at about +half-past nine, Mr. Forbes bade them good-night and went off upstairs. + +"It is all the queerest performance," said Bernice. "What in the world +does Uncle Jeff want of us,--I can't make out. The outlook seems to be +that we can have all the fun we want daytimes, and pay for it by these +ghastly evening sessions." + +"There's something back of it all," said Alicia, astutely. "This +revered uncle of ours, Bernie, has something up his sleeve." + +"I think so, too," said Dotty. "He scrutinises us all so closely, when +he thinks we're not looking. But I, for one, am quite willing to put +up with these evenings for the sake of the fun we have in the +daytime." + +"I should say so!" agreed Dolly. "We never can thank you enough, Bern, +for bringing us." + +"And I'm glad to have you here," said Mrs. Berry, entering the room. +"You're like a ray of sunshine in this dull house,--like four rays of +sunshine." + +"But WHY are we here?" insisted Alicia. "You must know why, Mrs. +Berry. Do tell us." + +"You're here, my dears, because Mr. Forbes invited you. There is no +other reason,--no other explanation. And now, tell me, did you like +the play?" + +"Did we LIKE it!" exclaimed the volatile Alicia, "we're just crazy +over it. Why, the chief actor--" + +"Now, 'Licia," protested Dolly, "if you're going to begin raving over +that man again!" + +"Well, I am!" declared Alicia. "I just can't help it!" + +Nor did she seem able to curb her enthusiasm, for after the girls went +to their rooms, she kept on extolling Mr. Coriell until the others +were tired of the subject. + +And even when the D's were nearly ready for bed, and, in kimonos, were +brushing their hair, Alicia burst into their room, exclaiming, "I've +the grandest plan! I'm going to invite Mr. Coriell to come here and +call on me!" + +"Alicia Steele!" Dotty cried, "you're not going to do any such thing!" + +"Yes, I am. Uncle Jeff said we could invite anybody we wanted to,-- +that's permission enough for me." + +"But he didn't mean some one you don't know at all,--and an actor at +that!" + +"I don't care. He didn't make any exceptions, and I'm going to do it. +I'm going to write the note." + +She went back to her own room, and sat down at the pretty little +escritoire that was there. + +"How shall I address him?" she asked, but more of herself than the +others. + +"Not at all!" said Dolly, and she took the pen from Alicia's fingers. +"You must be crazy to think of such a thing!" + +"Don't do it, Alicia," begged Dotty; "tell her not to, Bernice." + +"I don't care what she does," and Bernice laughed. "It's none of my +affair. I think it would be rather good fun, only I know he wouldn't +come." + +"I think he would," said Alicia. "Anyway, I'm going to tell him how I +adored his acting and his singing, and I guess he'll be glad to come +to call at Jefferson Forbes' house! I think I'll ask him to afternoon +tea. Why, it isn't such a terrible thing, as you seem to think, Dolly. +Anybody has a right to write to an actor,--they expect it. He probably +gets hundreds of notes every day." + +"Then he won't notice yours. He can't possibly accept a hundred +invitations." + +"Oh, they don't all invite him. Any way, I'm going to write." + +Alicia found another pen, and soon produced this effusion: + +"My dear Mr. Coriell. + +"I'm just simply crazy over your performance in 'The Lass and the +Lascar' and I feel that I MUST meet you. I shall DIE if I don't! +Please, oh, PLEASE give me an opportunity. Will you come to see me at +my uncle's house, Mr. Jefferson Forbes? Can you come to-morrow or +Friday? I can't EXIST if you say No! So grant the plea of + +"Your devoted admirer, + +"ALICIA STEELE." + +"It's perfectly horrid!" and Dolly's fair face grew flushed with +anger. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Alicia." + +"Now, look here, Dolly Fayre," and Alicia's eyes flashed, "I won't be +dictated to by a little country ignoramus! I've had experience in the +ways of the world, and you haven't. Now suppose you let me alone. It's +none of your business, as you very well know." + +"Dolly was only advising you for your own good!" Dotty flashed out, +indignant at the rebuff to her chum; "but, truly, Doll, it isn't up to +you to tell Alicia what to do. This is her uncle's house, not yours, +and you're in no way responsible for her doings." + +"I know it," and Dolly looked serious, "but I know, too, Alicia will +be sorry and ashamed if she sends that silly letter!" + +"Let her be, then," counselled Bernice. "If Uncle Jeff doesn't like +it, that's Alicia's affair, not ours. Leave her alone, Dolly." + +But Dolly made one more effort. + +"Listen, Alicia," she said, pleadingly; "at least, ask Mrs. Berry's +advice. She's awfully indulgent, you know, and if she says all right, +--then go ahead." + +Alicia looked at Dolly. To tell the truth, she had misgivings herself +about the plan, but she was too proud to be advised. + +"I'll tell you what," she decided, at last; "you said, only to-day, +Dolly, that you'd be glad to do something for me. Now, prove that you +meant it. You go and ask Mrs. Berry if we can do this. She's awfully +fond of you, and she'd say yes to you quicker'n she would to me. So, +if you're so anxious for her consent, go and ask her. She's in her +room,--I just heard her go in." + +"But, Alicia," and Dolly looked dismayed, "_I_ don't want to do this +thing! Why should I ask Mrs. Berry for what YOU want?" + +"Because you said you'd be glad to do me a favour. I knew you didn't +mean it! I knew you'd fizzle out when the time came!" + +"She hasn't fizzled out!" exclaimed Dotty. "Doll never breaks a +promise. But, say, Alicia, I'll go and ask Mrs. Berry. How's that?" + +"No, Dolly's got to go, if any one does. She said she'd love to do me +a favour, now let her do it." + +It was evidently a test case with Alicia, and one glance at her +determined face convinced Dolly, that she would never be forgiven if +she failed to do this thing. + +"All right," she said, slowly, "I'll go and ask Mrs. Berry. But I +shall tell her it's for you, Alicia. I shan't let her think I want to +ask that man here!" + +"Hold on, Dolly. Don't you think it would be nice if he should come, +with Mrs. Berry's permission?" + +"Yes, I think that would be lots of fun; but she won't give +permission, Alicia. I know that as well as I know my own name!" + +"Of course, she won't, if you go about it that way! I depend on you to +coax her or get around her some way to MAKE her say yes. See? Don't +think that you can go in there and say 'May we?' and have her say +'No,' and let that end it! I tell you you've got to get her consent. +You've got to do this for me, because you said you'd do whatever I +asked you." + +"Oh, Alicia!" and Dotty shook her head vigorously, "Doll never said +THAT!" + +"Well, she meant that. And what's the use of her doing anything I can +do for myself? But you all know she's Mrs. Berry's pet of the four of +us--" + +"No, I'm not," and Dolly looked deeply troubled. + +"Yes, you are, and it's just because you're so mild and meek. Now, +will you go and ask her? You'll have to be quick or she'll have gone +to bed." + +"Yes, I'll go," and Dolly showed sudden determination. + +"And will you promise to do all you can to make her say yes--" + +"I'll do that, Alicia, but I can't promise to make her say yes." + +"You can if you coax her. And don't let her think it's all for my +benefit. Because it isn't. You girls will have just as much fun as I +will, if he comes." + +Dolly twisted up her golden curls in a loose knot, and still in her +trailing dressing-gown, she went down the hall to Mrs. Berry's room +and tapped gently at the door. + +It was opened at once, and Dolly was glad to see Mrs. Berry had not +yet begun her preparations for the night, so she was not disturbing +her. + +"What is it, dearie?" asked the kind-hearted lady; "come in. Sit +down." + +Dolly sat down in a little rocker, and was suddenly seized with a fit +of shyness. The request she had come to make seemed so impossible, +that she couldn't put it into words. Mrs. Berry saw her embarrassment, +and kindly strove to put her at ease. + +"How do you like my room?" she said, cordially; "you've never been in +here before." + +"It's lovely," said Dolly, looking about at the pretty furnishings; +"it's in a sort of back extension, isn't it?" + +"Yes, this a narrower part of the house, and gives me an outlook on +our tiny yard as well as on the side street. It's a very satisfactory +room, except for my neighbour," and she laughed. + +"Who is the unsatisfactory neighbour?" asked Dolly, smiling in +response. + +"Not the people next door, they're quiet enough; but they have a +parrot, and he's in the room just across from this, and he chatters so +often that it is sometimes very annoying. Look over, you can see him +now." + +Sure enough, as Dolly looked from the window, she saw a big Polly in a +cage at the opposite casement. Only thin lace curtains were between, +and Dolly could clearly see the beautiful bird. + +"It's a lovely parrot," she said, "but I suppose his chatter is just +as bothersome as if he were a homelier bird. Well, Mrs. Berry," and +she turned from the window, "I've come to ask you something." + +"And something that you hesitate to ask,--I can see that. But don't be +afraid, dear. Tell me what it is, and if I have to refuse you, at +least I won't do it harshly." + +"I know you won't!" and Dolly felt ashamed of her fears. "Well, it's +just this. Alicia,--that is, we're all of us just crazy over the hero +in the play we saw this afternoon, and we--that is, we think it would +be nice if we could--if we could ask him to--to call here, on us." + +The dreaded speech was made, and though Mrs. Berry looked surprised, +she didn't exclaim in horror at the idea. + +"Whose plan is this?" she asked, quietly. + +"Why,--well,--we all want it." + +"Yes, but who first thought of it?" + +"Alicia spoke of it, and--the others agreed,--we all agreed,--that it +would be lots of fun,--if you approved of it." Now Mrs. Berry could +see a hole through a millstone, and she knew as well as if she had +been told, that the others had planned this thing,--probably Alicia or +Bernice,--and had made Dolly their spokesman, because of her good- +natured acquiescence, + +"What do YOU think of the idea?" she said smiling. + +"At first it seemed to me a very forward thing to do," Dolly replied, +looking very sober; "but if you think it's all right, I'd like to meet +Mr. Coriell. You see, I'm going to be an opera singer myself, some +day, and there are a few questions I'd like to ask him." + +Mrs. Berry gasped. "You do beat the dickens!" she exclaimed. "So +you're going on the stage, are you?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"Then of course you ought to meet an actor. Tell Alicia to go ahead +and ask this man. Tell her to invite him to tea on Friday. I'll +arrange a pretty tea-party for you." + +"Oh, I'll tell her! She'll be SO glad!" and Dolly departed, quite +unconscious that she had unwittingly betrayed Alicia's principal part +in the scheme. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +GREAT PREPARATIONS + + +Demurely Dolly went back to her room. The other girls were +breathlessly awaiting her return, and pounced on her for the news. + +"At least you got back alive!" cried Dotty as she grabbed Dolly by the +arms and danced her up and down the room. + +"But what did she say?" demanded Alicia, in fiery impatience. + +"Don't you wish you knew!" and Dolly fell into a teasing mood, and +when Dolly Fayre felt like teasing, she was adept at it! + +"Tell us! Tell us!" cried Bernice. "Oh, Dolly, tell us!" + +"Tell you what?" asked Dolly, with an innocent stare. + +"Tell us what Mrs. Berry said." + +"Oh, she asked me how I liked her room, and she showed me the parrot +next door. It's a beautiful bird--" + +"Never mind a bird! What did she say about Mr. Coriell?" + +"Why, we talked about the parrot first. You see, his cage hangs in a +window right across from hers, not ten feet away--" + +"Nonsense!" cried Alicia, "who cares about the parrot! Tell us about +my hero!" + +"She says he has a dreadful voice, and squawks like fury--" + +"Oh, he HASN'T! He's a wonderful singer!" + +"I mean the parrot," said Dolly, mischievously enjoying Alicia's +disgusted look. "And she says we can ask him to tea." + +"Who? the parrot?" This from Dotty. + +"No, you silly! Mr. Coriell. But, of course, if you'd rather have the +parrot--" + +"Oh, Dolly, do be sensible!" and Bernice looked exasperated; "are you +going to tell us all about it or not?" + +"Not if you're so rude to me! Certainly not! You are dismissed, you +two. Dot and I are going to bed." + +"Not much you're not!" declared Alicia. "Not till you tell us what +Mrs. Berry said." + +"Then you must ask me with due politeness and proper courtesy. I can't +report to a lot of cackling geese! You're worse than parrots!" + +"Please, dear, sweet Dollyrinda, what DID the lady say?" begged Dotty, +in wheedling tones. + +"Ah, yes, tell us," and Alicia took the cue. "Angel child! Beautiful +blonde Towhead! what,--oh, vouchsafe to deign to tell us, WHAT did she +say?" + +"Whoop it up, Dollums," said Bernice, laughing, "out with it, you +little rascal. Did she hold up her hands in horror?" + +"She did NOT," said Dolly, with dignity. "She said, that if Alicia +chose, she might invite the gentleman to tea on Friday, and that she +would see to it that there was a nice tea-party prepared for his +benefit. There, WHO'S a good ambassador?" + +"You are! you blessed angel!" cried Alicia, warmly; "you're a wonder! +a marvel! a peach! a pippin! Oh, you're just all there is of it! Did +she REALLY say that?" + +"Oh, you want to know what she REALLY said," and Dolly's head went on +one side, as she began to tease again. + +"Of course, that's what she really said," interposed Dotty, who didn't +want any more high words. "'Licia, be satisfied with that, and scoot +to bed." + +"Nothing of the sort. We're going to make fudge to celebrate! I told +you I had my chafing-dish; don't you girls feel fudgy?" + +"I could nibble a morsel," Bernice said, "and not half try. How about +you, Dot?" + +"I'm right there--with bells on!" + +"Isn't it too late?" objected Dolly. + +"Now, look here, priggy-wig," and Alicia shook a finger at her, "if +you don't quit that spoilsporting of yours, there'll be trouble in +camp! The truth is, there's not much fun in making fudge, just 'cause +there's nobody to forbid it! At school, we have to do it on the sly. +Here, if Mrs. Berry or Uncle Jeff knew we thought of it, they'd send +forty 'leven footmen and maids to help us!" "That's so," laughed +Dolly; "I wasn't thinking of them. But isn't it time we all went to +bed?" + +"Of course it is, young hayseed. That's why we're staying up. Also, it +makes you so delightfully sleepy next morning! Now, do you come to +this fudge party or do you go to bed?" + +"Do I come to it!" cried Dolly, in disdain. "Well, I like that! Why, +your old fudge party is FOR me! I'm the heroine of the hour! Who went +on your desperate and dangerous errand, I'd like to know! Who got +permission to invite your old Coriell man to tea? Come, now, declare +the fudge party a feast in my honour, or call it off!" + +"It is! it is!" laughed Alicia. "To the victor belong the spoils. The +party is ALL for you, and if you will accept our humble invitation +come right into our room and make yourself at home." + +So the two D's went into the other girls' room, and Alicia got out her +chafing-dish set and prepared for the feast. + +"How are you going to make fudge with nothing but chocolate?" laughed +Dotty. + +"That's so," said Alicia, looking blank. "I forgot I had to have milk +and butter and sugar and a lot of things. Guess we can't do it." + +"Guess we can!" retorted Bernice, and she pushed a bell button. + +"Oh, Bernie!" exclaimed Dotty, "you oughtn't to call the maid so late! +She'll be in bed." + +"Then she won't answer," said Bernice, calmly. + +But in a moment a maid did come, and smilingly listened to their +requests. + +"Some milk, please," said Alicia, "and sugar, and butter,--" + +"All the things for fudge, miss?" asked the girl, her eyes taking in +the chafing-dish. "Certainly. In a moment." + +She disappeared and the girls burst into peals of laughter. + +"It's impossible to do anything frisky here," said Alicia, "because +everything we want to do, is looked on as all right!" + +"Well, it isn't a dreadful thing to make fudge of an evening," put in +Bernice. + +"No," agreed Dolly, "but I wouldn't think of doing it at my house. +After I'd gone to my room for the night, I mean." + +"It's a funny thing," said Alicia, "but all the fun of it's gone now. +I don't care two cents for the fudge, it's the excitement of doing it +secretly, that appeals to me. We do it at school, and we have to be so +fearfully careful lest the teachers hear us." + +"I know what you mean," said Dolly, "but I don't believe I feel that +way. I love fudge, but I'd a whole lot rather have people know we're +making it than to do it on the sly." + +"You're a little puritan," and Alicia flew over and kissed her. "No +wonder Mrs. Berry said yes to you, you probably made her think it was +a duty to humanity!" + +When the maid returned with the trayful of things they had asked for, +there was also a goodly plate of frosted cakes and a dish of fruit. + +"In case you might feel hungry," she explained. "Mrs. Berry was saying +the other day, how hungry young folks do be gettin'. Shall I return +for the tray, miss?" + +"No," said Dolly, kindly. "You go to bed. We'll set the things out in +the hall, when we're finished, and you can take them away in the +morning." + +"Thank you, miss," and the maid went away, leaving the girls to their +spread. + +"I'm not going to make fudge," said Alicia, "there's enough here to +eat, without it." + +"I'll do it, then," said Dolly. "I'm not going to make all this +trouble and then not seem to appreciate it." + +She began to cut the chocolate, and Dotty helped her. + +Alicia made the chafing-dish ready, and Bernice set out a table for +them. + +"This is splendid fudge," Alicia remarked, as at last they sat +enjoying the feast. "You must give me your recipe." + +"Probably just like yours," smiled Dolly; "but it always tastes better +if somebody else makes it." + +"Not always! It depends on WHO makes it. This is fine!" + +"Even if we are not doing it on the sly? I declare, Alicia, I can't +understand that feeling of yours. I s'pose you don't care so much +about Mr. Coriell, since Mrs. Berry is willing." + +"It does take the snap out of it," Alicia admitted. "But I couldn't do +that on the sly, anyway. I mean if I had him HERE. I wish I could meet +him somewhere else,--at some tearoom, or somewhere." + +"Oh, Alicia, I think you're horrid! Nice girls don't do things like +that!" Dolly's big blue eyes expressed such amazement that Alicia +laughed outright. + +"You little innocent!" she cried. + +"I'd rather be innocent than ill-bred," Dolly flashed back. + +"Well, wait till you go to boarding-school and you'll get some of +those strait-laced notions knocked out of you." + +"I don't ever expect to go. I wouldn't like to leave home. And that +reminds me, girls, I must skip. I've got to write up my diary before I +go to bed. You do my share of the clearing up, won't you, Dot?" + +"'Course I will," and Dolly ran off to the other room while the three +cleared away the party and set the tray out in the hall. + +"Is Dolly always so goody-goody?" asked Alicia. + +Dotty took the question seriously. "I shouldn't call her that," she +said; "but she isn't very mischievous, and she's as honest as the day +is long. She positively abhors deceit. And, somehow, Alicia, all the +things that you think are fun, are the sort of things she doesn't +stand for. That's all. Doll isn't a prig,--is she, Bernice?" + +"No; she's as fond of fun as anybody. But Alicia rubs her the wrong +way." + +"I don't mean to. Only I don't see any harm in pranks that SHE thinks +are fearful." + +"Well, you ought to bless her for getting the Coriell matter fixed up. +I don't believe Mrs. Berry would have done it for any of us. But when +Dolly asked her, I s'pose she made it seem all right." + +"It IS all right," defended Alicia. + +"Oh, I don't know," and Bernice looked doubtful, "I don't think the +Fayres or Roses would like it much; I doubt if my dad would approve. +But what Mrs. Berry says, goes." "It does SO!" assented Alicia, and +then they all said good-night. + +Alicia's letter was mailed next morning and to her surprise a reply +arrived about noon, brought by a messenger. It said: + +My dear Miss Steele: + +Your welcome invitation is here. I cannot accept for to-morrow as I +have an important engagement then, but I will do myself the pleasure +of calling upon you TO-DAY at four o'clock, and trust I may find you +at home. + + Sincerely yours, + BAYNE CORIELL. + +"Oh, isn't it wonderful!" sighed Alicia. "A letter from HIM! Oh, +girls, I'm so happy! How CAN I wait for four o'clock!" + +She ran away to tell Mrs. Berry of the letter. + +"Very well," said the kind-hearted woman, "it's just as well to have +him come to-day. Suppose we have tea in the small reception room, it's +cosier than the drawing-room." + +"All right," said Alicia. "Will Uncle Jeff come down, do you think?" + +"I doubt it. However, I'll tell him you expect Mr. Coriell, and he can +do as he likes." Mrs. Berry had a peculiar twinkle in her eye, and +Alicia noted it, and wondered what it meant. The whole affair seemed +mysterious, for she had not supposed Mrs. Berry would be so ready to +receive this strange young man. + +"You think it's all right for us to receive him, don't you, Mrs. +Berry?" she asked, for she began to fear lest she had been too +unconventional. + +"I daresay it's all right, my dear. Of course, such things weren't +done in my day, but young folks are different now. And Mr. Forbes said +you girls were to do pretty much as you like." + +"Were you surprised at our asking for this?" Alicia persisted. + +"Well, yes, since you ask me, I must say I was surprised. Especially +when I found Dolly Fayre was the ringleader." + +"Oh,--well,--she DID ask you, didn't she? Maybe Dolly isn't such a +quiet little mouse as she seems." + +"Dolly's all right," and Mrs. Berry spoke with some asperity. "Now, +I'll send tea in at quarter past four, is that your idea?" + +"Oh, Mrs. Berry, won't you be present?" + +"No; I have my duties, and I observe them properly, but to preside at +tea is not one of them. Your uncle expressly ordered that." + +"Do you mean Uncle Jeff ordered that we should receive Mr. Coriell +alone?" + +"Well, he didn't direct that _I_ should be there. If he wants to come +down, he will." + +"Very well," and Alicia suddenly became dignified, "we can manage. I +suppose it will be proper to dress up a good deal?" + +Again that amused smile flitted over Mrs. Berry's face. + +"As you like," she said, indifferently. "All your frocks are pretty." + +Alicia returned to the others, and told them all the conversation. + +"I hope Uncle Forbes does come down," said Dolly, "I think it would be +nicer to have him there." + +"Come, now, old mother Prim, don't throw cold water on our little +party," said Alicia. "You know how the conversation would run, with +uncle at the helm!" + +"It wouldn't run at all," laughed Bernice, "it would stagnate!" + +When the girls began to dress for the tea, there was a wide diversity +of opinion as to appropriate costumes. + +"Our very best," said Alicia decidedly. "Nothing's too good for +Bayne!" + +"You'd better be careful," warned Dotty, "you'll call him Bayne to his +face! You use it so much!" + +"Don't care if I do!" returned Alicia, pertly. "I say, Doll, is THAT +your best frock?" + +"Yes, except an evening one." + +"Let's see your evening one. I'll bet it's just about right for this +afternoon." + +Dolly produced a pretty light blue affair of chiffon, and Alicia +exclaimed, "Wear that, of course. It's really no evening dress at all, +but it's a very nice afternoon thing." + +Dolly looked dubious. "What are you going to wear, Dots?" she said. + +"Oh, I s'pose we might as well wear our best ones. As Alicia says, +they're all right for afternoon here, though they wouldn't be in +Berwick." + +"All right," and Dolly put on her pretty fluffy dress. Very lovely she +looked, her golden curls twisted up high on her head, and held by a +bandeau of blue ribbon. + +Dotty's dress was yellow, and very becoming. She wore a black velvet +headband, and Alicia cried out in approval when she saw the two D's +ready for inspection. + +"My!" she said, "you look better than I do! Now, I am mad!" + +But her rage was only simulated, and she didn't really think what she +said. + +She herself wore a most elaborate embroidered dress of rich pink silk. +It was trimmed, too, with pearl bead fringe, and to Dolly's simple +taste it was too fussy. But Dotty admired it, and Bernice thought it +wonderful. + +"It IS a good thing," said Alicia, carelessly. "It's imported. I've +never had it on before." + +Bernice had a lovely dress of white tulle, with white satin ribbons;-- +lovely, that is, for evening, but too dressy for daytime. However, as +the winter dusk fell early, the lights were on, and it seemed almost +like evening. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE CALLER + + +The four girls, in the reception room, waited the coming of their +guest. To their surprise, Mr. Forbes came in, and looked them over +with a chuckle. + +"Well, you ARE ready for the fray, aren't you?" he said, taking in +their dressy finery and their important, self-conscious airs. + +"Yes, Uncle Jeff," responded Alicia; "will you stay and see our young +man?" + +For some unexplained reason, Uncle Jeff laughed heartily. But he +checked his merriment, and said, "No, Alicia, I fear I might intrude; +I know you want to flirt with this young actor, and I'd be a +spoilsport. But let me warn you to be very gentle with him. You see, +he may be so overcome by this galaxy of youth and beauty that he'll be +embarrassed and run away!" + +"Nonsense, uncle," said Bernice, "actors are not easily embarrassed. +More likely we girls will be struck dumb at his splendour and +importance." + +"Well, tell me all about it afterward," and still chuckling, Mr. +Forbes went off. + +"What ails Uncle?" said Alicia, pettishly. "Anybody'd think he had a +joke on us." + +"No," Dotty rejoined, "only he's sort of old, you know, and he doesn't +see the fun in this, as we do." + +"Well, I wish the fun would hurry up! It's after four now." + +"Such people are never on time," said Alicia, with a great air of +experience. "He's sure to be late. Oh, there's the bell now!" + +The girls, with hearts beating high, grouped themselves in a +picturesque pose, which they had practised beforehand, and +breathlessly watched the doorway. + +Through it came, in a moment, a jolly-faced man, with an informal +manner and pleasant smile. + +"Hullo, girlies," he said, "what's up? Expecting a party? Well, I +won't keep you a minute. Where's Mr. Forbes?" + +"Why, you're the party, Mr. Coriell," said Alicia, stepping forward to +greet him, and looking very coquettish as she smiled up into his face. + +"Oh, am I! all right, have it your own way, kiddies. But I can't give +you more than ten minutes of my valuable time. What do you want? +Autographs? Or tickets for a box? Speak up, now." + +"Oh, no!" exclaimed Bernice, for Alicia was speechless with +disappointment at this prosaic attitude on the part of the visitor. +"We just want to--to talk to you." + +"You see," said Dolly, frankly, "we thought you'd be--different." + +"Oh, of course you did! They always do! You wanted to see the Lascar, +not plain James Brown!" + +"What!" cried Alicia, hope rising in her breast that this was not the +great actor after all, "aren't you Bayne Coriell?" + +"Sure! That's my stage name, but in private life I'm James Brown, at +your service." + +"You don't even look like the Lascar!" wailed Dotty, dismayed at the +turn things had taken. + +"Of course, I don't, little one. Actors on and off, are two different +persons. Oh, I begin to see through this performance. Your uncle +didn't tell you anything about me! Eh?" + +"No, sir," said Dolly, as the others were silent. "We saw you in your +play, and we admired your work so much, that we--we--" + +"Oh, the matinee idol business! Well, well! I didn't expect that. Why, +kiddies, outside the theatre, I'm just a plain United States citizen. +I have a daughter about the age of you girls. My Muriel is fourteen, +nearly fifteen, but she's taller than any of you. Your uncle is a +great friend of mine. He was my father's chum, and he has been more +than kind to me all my life. I supposed he knew all about the letter +from Miss Alicia, and ran around here expecting to see you and him +both." + +"That's why he chuckled at us!" and Dolly's eyes twinkled at the joke. +Somehow, she seemed more at ease with the actor than the other girls. +"You see, Mr. Brown, we thought you'd be more like you are on the +stage. Of course we didn't expect you'd be dressed like the Lascar, +or--or--made up,--isn't that what you call it? but we thought you'd be +stagy and actory--" + +James Brown laughed. "Everybody thinks that, or something like it," he +said. "Few people realise that an actor's profession is MERELY a +profession,--a business; and that we discard it out of business +hours." + +"But don't you get lots of notes from--from your audiences?" asked +Dotty. + +"Indeed I do. My wife looks after 'em, and most of 'em go into the +trash basket. But of course a note from Jefferson Forbes' home was +welcome, and I was glad to call on his nieces. Are you all his +nieces?" + +"No," said Alicia, who had recovered her poise, and she introduced the +other girls by name. "I wrote the note, because I thought you were--" + +"Because you thought I was a gay young sport," laughed James Brown; +"well, I'm sorry, for your sake, that I'm merely an uninteresting, +middle-aged man, but, I doubt if your uncle would have let you send +that note, if I had been a stranger to him. Take my advice, girls, for +I know what I'm talking about, never write to an actor with whom you +are not acquainted. It can never lead to any good result and might +lead to great harm." + +"Are they all bad?" asked Dolly, innocently. + +"No, indeed, far from it. But many of them are thoughtless; and, too, +if a girl so far forgets the conventions as to write to a stranger, an +actor often thinks he is justified in meeting her half way. And nice +girls don't write to men they don't know. The fact that a man is an +actor, is no more reason to treat him informally than if he were a +broker or a merchant. It is the glamour of the stage that blinds you +to the proprieties. That's only natural, I know, and that's why I'm +presuming to give you this little talk for your own good. If ever you +feel moved to make advances to a matinee idol,--don't do it!" + +Alicia looked decidedly chagrined and a little angry, but Mr. Brown +proceeded to talk of other matters, and though it was plain to be seen +he meant the advice he had given them, all unpleasant effect was +forgotten as he began to tell them some funny anecdotes. + +And then tea was brought in, and they all grouped round the teatable, +still listening to his entertaining chat. + +The actor was a good-looking man, but far from being as handsome as he +appeared on the stage. His fascination and charm were evidently as +much put on as his swarthy complexion and long black hair, which so +became him as an East Indian. Really, his hair was ash-coloured, and +he was rather bald. + +"I expect to go on the stage," observed Dolly, as they ate the cakes +and bon-bons that accompanied the elaborate tea service. + +"You do!" exclaimed the guest. "Why?" + +"Because I feel I have talent for it. Not so much as an actress, +perhaps, but as a singer. What shall I do first, Mr. Brown, to prepare +for the light opera stage?" + +James Brown looked at her kindly. "I see you are in earnest," he said, +in a serious tone, "and so, I will treat your question practically. +The first thing to do, is to finish your education, and then start on +a course of voice training. By the time you have done these things, +come to me again, and I will advise you further. Do you think me +flippant?" he continued, as Dolly looked decidedly disappointed. "I am +telling you just the line to follow that I expect my own daughter to +pursue. Muriel has promise of a good singing voice. I assume you have +that hope also, otherwise you wouldn't think of a stage career. Tell +your parents what I have told you, and if they care to consult me on +the subject I shall be more than glad to meet them." + +"Good gracious! What a come down!" cried Dotty. "We thought of course +Doll could start in in the chorus at most any time, and work up." + +"That has been done successfully," and Mr. Brown smiled, "about one +time in ten thousand. My plan is surer and better in every way." + +"Is that the way Miss Marie Desmond learned?" asked Dolly, wistfully. + +"Yes, my child. Miss Desmond worked long and faithfully before she +attained her present position. If you'd care to meet her and have a +little talk with her, I can arrange it. Suppose you all come to my +house some afternoon, and Muriel will make a little party for you, and +I'm sure I can persuade Miss Desmond to meet you for a few minutes at +least. She is not a lady easy of access, I can tell you, but she will +meet friends of mine." + +"Well, well, Jim, hobnobbing with young people, are you?" sang out a +hearty voice from the hall, and Uncle Jeff came stalking into the +room. "Glad to see you, my boy. You seem to be getting on famously." + +"Yes, indeed. Your nieces and their friends are the most charming +bunch of young people I've seen in a long time. We're discussing all +sorts of matters of interest. Join us in a cup of tea, won't you?" + +"That's what I'm here for," and Uncle Jeff took a seat among the +group. "Yes, thank you, Alicia, fix me up a cup. Sugar, please, but no +lemon. How's your wife, Jim? Muriel all right?" + +"Yes, thank you. I'm just asking these girls to come round, say to- +morrow, for a little party. Or would you rather have a box party at +the theatre?" + +The girls decided in favour of the afternoon party at Mr. Brown's +home, and the matter was settled. And then, somehow, the two men fell +into conversation, which in no way interested the girls, being about +political matters and business affairs. Indeed, their very presence +seemed to be forgotten by the gentlemen. Absent-mindedly Uncle Jeff +accepted a second cup of tea, and then a third, still arguing a point +of finance with his guest. + +Alicia, in high dudgeon, made a motion to the others that they leave +the room, and Dolly nodded assent. + +So, noiselessly, the four rose from their seats, and stole out into +the hall. Mr. Brown looked up, saw them go, and waved his hand with a +smile of farewell, but Uncle Jeff paid no attention, if indeed, he +noticed their departure. + +"Well! of all things!" exclaimed Alicia, as they sought refuge in the +library, which was in the rear of the house. "I call that positively +insulting!" + +"Now, 'Licia," and Dotty laughed, "you know the man said he could only +give us ten minutes of his time, and he gave us more than a half hour. +I don't think we've any reason to complain." + +"Well, I do! It was a perfect fizzle, the whole thing! I'm utterly +disgusted! Matinee idol! Pooh, he's just an every-day man!" + +"Well, that's just what he said he was," rejoined Bernice, who was +almost as much disappointed as Alicia. "But he was very kind and +pleasant, I think." + +"Oh, kind enough," and Alicia still pouted; "but I thought he would be +young and--and sporty, you know." + +"He certainly isn't sporty! whatever he is," said Dolly. "I think he's +awfully nice. I'm glad we're going to his daughter's party. It's fine +to go to a place like that." + +"She's just a little girl," complained Alicia. "Fourteen years old! I +don't want to go to an infant class!" + +"All right," put in Bernice, "you can stay home, then. I'm delighted +to go. To think of telling the girls at home that we went to Bayne +Coriell's daughter's party! My, won't they think we're grand!" + +"That's so," agreed Alicia. "Not everybody could get such an +invitation. We couldn't, only that he's Uncle Jeff's friend. But I can +tell you, girls, if I hadn't got up this whole scheme we wouldn't have +been asked there. You can thank me for it." + +"Dolly, too," said Dotty. "If she hadn't asked Mrs. Berry, he wouldn't +have come at all." + +"Yes, he would; why wouldn't he?" + +"Oh, pshaw! It was all made up by Uncle Jeff. You could see that. Mrs. +Berry told him, and he let us go ahead, just to have a joke on us. Mr. +Brown came mostly to see Mr. Forbes,--not us." + +"You're right, you little smarty-cat," and Alicia smiled at the astute +Dotty. "And I do believe Uncle Jeff meant to give us a lesson about +writing to actors. I thought it was queer he took it so easily,--and +Mrs. Berry too. They played right into our hands. They wouldn't have +done that if the actor person had been a stranger." + +"Of course they wouldn't," and Dotty wagged her head. "I felt sure +there was some reason why Mrs. Berry said yes to Doll so easily. But I +didn't think Coriell Bayne, or whatever his name is, was old enough to +be Uncle Forbes' chum." + +"He isn't exactly," said Dolly; "that is, he said his father and Mr. +Forbes were friends. I suppose the son carried on the friendship." + +"He looks as old as my father,--off the stage," said Bernice; "but on +it, he might be my father's son!" + +"You can't tell a thing about actors!" declared Alicia. "If ever I +think another one is handsome and fascinating, I'll remember James +Bayne, and know he's nothing but an old fogy!" + +"Oh, I don't call Mr. Brown an old fogy," defended Dotty. "I think +he's interesting and pleasant; just about like my father, or yours, +Doll." + +"He's not a bit like our fathers, though he doesn't look much younger. +Anyway, I'm glad I've met him, but he did give me a setback about my +career." + +"Is that a real stunt, Dolly?" and Alicia looked at her curiously. "Do +you really want to go on the stage? It doesn't seem like you." + +"Yes, I do, or at least, I did, until Mr. Brown said what he did. I +don't know as I want to devote my whole life to getting ready for a +stage career. I'm going to think it over and see about it." + +"You funny little thing! I hope you'll decide to do it, and in about +ten or twenty years, when I'm an old married woman, I'll come to your +first performance." + +"Whose performance? Who's stage struck?" asked Uncle Jeff, walking in +at the door. He had a way of appearing unexpectedly. + +"Dolly," answered Alicia. "She wants to be a prima donna." + +"Bless my soul!" exclaimed the old man, "why, one reason I had Jim +Brown here to-day, was to knock such foolishness out of your heads." + +"And he did his part all right, Uncle Forbes," said Dolly, looking +serious, "but I don't quite take the knocking. At least, I haven't +decided what I'll do about it." + +"Oho, you haven't, haven't you?" and the old man raised his shaggy +eyebrows. "Well, Alicia, how did you like your handsome, fascinating, +young man?" + +Alicia had quite recovered her good humour, and she replied, +laughingly, "Oh, except that he isn't very young or handsome or +fascinating, I liked him pretty well." + +"You're a good girl," pronounced her uncle. "I thought maybe you'd +resent the little trick I played on you. But when you raved over the +handsome hero, and the Greek god effects of him, I couldn't refrain +from showing you how deceitful appearances may be. Jim's a fine chap, +not at all a silly flirt, and his daughter is a lovely young girl, a +little older than you girls--" + +"Why, Uncle Jeff, Mr. Brown says she's younger, he said Muriel is not +yet fifteen." + +"Bless me! is that so? Well, he must know. But I can tell you, she +seems as old or older than any of you. I suppose because she's been +brought up among stage people. But a mighty nice girl, all the same. +And Mrs. Brown is a delightful woman. All nice people. I'm glad he +asked you to his home. It'll be a rare treat for you." + +"When is it to be, to-morrow?" asked Dotty. + +"We don't know yet. When Brown went away he said he'd consult his wife +and daughter and telephone us about it. I fancy they'll make quite an +affair of it. See here, have you all proper frocks to wear? I don't +want my girls less well dressed than the others there. And I have a +sneaking notion these are your best clothes." Uncle Jeff's eyes +twinkled as he glanced at their dresses. "Anyway, I'd like to give +each of you a new frock. Go to-morrow morning and get them." + +And having given the order, Uncle Jeff stalked away. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FINE FEATHERS + + +Isn't he the funniest and the very dearest old thing in the world!" +said Alicia, in a whisper, as Mr. Forbes disappeared. "I've got loads +of clothes, but I'm glad to have him give me a dress, for I'll warrant +it'll be about the best money can buy." + +"Let's get the best New York can show us," chimed in Bernice. + +"I can't do it," said Dolly, decidedly. "My mother wouldn't like me to +accept a dress from Mr. Forbes." + +"Oh, fiddlesticks, Dollyrinda!" said Dotty, "it's not charity. My +mother wouldn't let me either, ordinarily speaking, but this is +different." + +"How is it different?" + +"Why, Mr. Forbes doesn't look on it as giving as clothes because we're +poor--" + +"He does so, Dot! You can't fool me! He knows that Alicia and Bernie +can afford grand clothes and we can't, and so he gives us each a dress +to make it easy for us to take them." + +Now, Alicia privately thought this was just about the truth, but +Bernice thought differently; "Rubbish!" she cried. "Uncle Jeff doesn't +think anything of the sort! He's so kind-hearted, he wants us all to +have things nice, and he doesn't even think about whether it would +hurt our feelings or not. Why, Dolly, the price of a dress is no more +to him, than a glass of soda water would be to us." + +"I know that's so," and Dolly's blue eyes looked very troubled, "but +it isn't nice to take clothing from anybody but your own people." + +"But Dolly," argued Alicia, "if you kick up a bobbery, and refuse to +take this kind offer, then we'll all have to do the same, and you +deprive us all of the pretty presents." + +"Oh, Alicia, I'd be sorry to do that!" + +"Well, that's what it would amount to. Now, be sensible, and go with +us to-morrow, and we'll all get lovely dresses, and it will please +Uncle Jeff. I know he'd be hurt and offended, if you refused, Dolly." + +"I'll see about it; I'll think it over," and that was all Dolly would +say about it then. + +But next morning, Mrs. Berry informed them that they were asked to an +At Home at Mrs. Brown's that afternoon, from four till seven, and she +further said that of her knowledge, it would be an occasion where the +nicest possible apparel would be required. + +"Gorgeous!" cried Alicia; "Uncle Jeff told us yesterday, we could get +new frocks as presents from him. We can get them at Follansbee's, and +if they need alteration, they'll do it for us at once, as the case is +so especial." + +Dolly's objections were overruled, even Mrs. Berry siding with the +other girls. + +"Yes, indeed, Dolly," she said; "you will spoil the pleasure of the +others if you refuse to do as they do. And it would grieve Mr. Forbes +if he thought you didn't appreciate or accept his kind offer. Run +along, girls, all of you, and get your hats and coats, the car will be +here in a few minutes." + +"Won't you go with us, Mrs. Berry," asked Dolly, "to help pick them +out? We don't know about these things as well as some one who lives in +the city." + +"No, dearies. But you won't have any trouble Just ask for Mrs. Baxter +at Follansbee's and her judgment will be the right thing. Be sure to +take what she advises. She'll know." + +In gay spirits the quartette started off, Dolly joining in the general +enthusiasm, for having decided to do as the others did, she had no +wish to hesitate further. + +Mrs. Baxter was more than pleased to advise and suggest to Jefferson +Forbes' relatives, and she had her assistants bring out dozens of +frocks for inspection. + +At last, after much discussion and trying on, the four were selected +and were promised for two o'clock that afternoon. What slight +alterations were necessary could be done in that time, and there would +be no doubt of prompt delivery. + +The dresses were absolutely unlike any the girls had ever owned +before. They were all imported models, and though of finest materials, +were simple in fabric and design. Yet they had an air and an effect +never achieved by a village dressmaker or a department store. + +Dolly's was of fine white net, frilled with delicate lace, and adorned +with tiny rosebud garlands, and knots of pale blue velvet. + +Dotty's, of apricot pink crepe, with hints of silver lace peeping +through its chiffon draperies. Alicia's was corn-coloured crepe de +chine with cherry velvet decorations, and Bernice rejoiced in a white +embroidered net, made up over green silk. + +All had that indefinable charm which betokens the genius of a great +modiste, and the girls were enchanted with the wonderful robes. + +"But what awful prices!" said Dolly, as they drove away from the shop. +"I'm sure mother will be displeased. I feel awfully about it." + +"Now, Doll," said Dotty, sensibly, "you can't help it now. So don't +let it spoil your pleasure and ours too. When we get home you can tell +your mother just how it was. I'll tell her too, and I'm sure she'll +see that you couldn't do anything else than get the frock, or kick up +a terrible bobbery!" + +This was common sense, as Dotty's remarks often were, so Dolly +accepted the situation, and made the best of it. + +And that afternoon, when they were all arrayed in the new frocks, and +presented themselves to Uncle Jeff for inspection, his approval was so +hearty, that Dolly was very glad she hadn't put a damper on the whole +thing by remaining obstinate. + +"You are visions of beauty," he declared, as he looked at each in +turn. "Madame Who-ever-it-was, turned you out remarkably well. I don't +know much about feminine millinery, but I've a general idea of the +fitness of things. And I'll bet a thousand dollars that these affairs +are in better taste than the rigs you had on yesterday, though those +were far gayer." + +"You do know a lot about it, Uncle," said Bernice. "These are way +ahead of our best dresses, but it's because they came from a high +class shop. And when you get the bill you'll open your eyes!" + +"That's all right, Bernie. I'm an old bachelor, you know, and never +before have I had the privilege of buying dresses for anybody. I'm +downright glad if you girls are pleased with these, and I'm downright +proud of the little cavalcade setting forth from my house." + +The courteous old gentleman made a profound bow and the girls +curtseyed in response. Then off they went to the party. + +As Mrs. Berry had foretold, fine clothes were the order of the day at +the Brown house. Everything was as formal as a grown-up affair. The +girls were ushered to a dressing-room to take off their wraps, and +then at the drawing-room door, their names were announced by an +imposing-looking personage in livery, and they were swept along into +the room, by the crush of others behind them. + +Mrs. Brown and her daughter were receiving, and they greeted each +arrival with gay banter and smiles. + +"Ah, my dears, how do you do?" said Mrs. Brown to our girls. "I am so +glad to welcome Mr. Forbes' young people. Muriel, dear, these are the +girls daddy told you about last night. 'Member?" + +"'Course I do. Aw'fly jolly to have you here. Sweet of you to come. +Wish I could chin-chin more, but I'll see you after the rush is over." + +They passed in line, saying scarce a word beyond a mere greeting, and +following the example of their predecessors they took seats in what +seemed to be a large auditorium. A curtained stage faced them, and +they looked about at the fast gathering audience. It was a merry crowd +of young people all laughing and chattering, and all arrayed in +beautiful clothes after the order of those the girls wore themselves. +There were many boys present, too, and they moved easily about, joking +with their friends here and there. Presently two boys drifted toward +our quartette, and one of them said, "What'll be the show, do you +know?" + +"No," said Dotty, her black eyes dancing with the excitement of the +scene; "what do you guess?" + +"Dunno. Last time they had minstrels, and the time before, a +magicker." + +"Legerdemain?" + +"Yes; rabbits out of hats, and that sort. Can't we sit here? Engaged?" + +"No," and Dotty smiled as she looked toward the other girls for their +consent. + +"Oh, let us stay," said the other boy, in a wheedling voice. "We'll be +awfully good,--so good you won't know us." + +"We don't know you, anyway," laughed Alicia, and the first boy +responded, "Sure enough. Roof's the introduction, you know, but I'll +add that this marvellously handsome companion of mine is one Geordie +Knapp, and I'm Ted Hosmer, very much at your service." + +"Well," said Alicia, "we're Miss Forbes, Miss Fayre, Miss Rose and +Miss Steele. Shall I tell you which is which, or let you guess?" + +"Let us Sherlock it out!" exclaimed Geordie Knapp. "I know you're Miss +Steele because you mentioned yourself last.'" + +"Right!" and Dotty clapped her hands in admiration of his quickness. +"Now, which am I?" + +"Rosy Posy!" declared Ted Hosmer, little thinking he had guessed +correctly, but saying so because of Dotty's pink cheeks. + +"Yes, sir! you ARE a Sherlock Holmes. Now which is Miss Forbes?" + +"I'm not going to guess any more, I'll spoil my record," and Ted +looked uncertainly from Dolly to Bernice. "But as you two are named +Forbes and Fayre, I'll call you both Miss F., and so be sure of you." + +And then the curtain began to rise, and the young people became +silent. + +The entertainment was very amusing, being entirely in pantomime, and +performed by exceedingly clever actors. + +The story depicted was funny, and the antics of the performers were +novel and humorous, and the room resounded with laughter from the +appreciative audience. There were about a hundred young people present +yet the large room was only partly filled. Dolly concluded, as she +looked about, that it was a sort of small theatre where Mr. Brown +rehearsed his own plays. In this she was partly right, although it had +been built more for entertainment of the actor's guests. James Brown, +or Bayne Coriell, as he was more often called, stood very high in his +profession, and had hosts of friends and acquaintances. His wife was +popular, too, and Muriel was just beginning to take her place in +society. + +After the pantomime was over, two celebrated dancers gave an +exhibition of their skill, and then Miss Marie Desmond appeared and +sang two of her songs from "The Lass and the Lascar." + +Dolly was enthralled. She sat, listening to every note, and admiring +the graceful manner and deportment of Miss Desmond as well as enjoying +her music. + +"Well, you seemed to care for that, Miss F.," said Ted Hosmer. "You +didn't move an eyelash while Marie was on!" + +"Oh, I did enjoy it!" and Dolly's eyes shone with delight. "Isn't she +a splendid singer!" + +"Top notch! I like her lots. Hello, here's our charming hostess." + +The programme was over now, and Muriel Brown sought out the Forbes +party to invite them to the refreshment room. + +"I feel that I know you," she laughed, "from Dad's description. He +says the fair girl is Miss Fayre, and the rosy girl, Miss Rose." + +"Oh, that's it, is it?" cried Ted; "then this is Miss Forbes, and now +all the problems are solved!" He looked at Bernice, who acknowledged +the fact, and then Muriel was pounced upon by a rush of young people, +and literally carried away. + +"Great girl, Muriel," said young Hosmer. "Never saw such a favourite. +I say, mayn't we take you girls to the supper room? Or don't you eat?" + +"Indeed we do," said Alicia, laughing, "but I may as well own up I'm +so interested in looking about me, I'm not conscious of hunger." + +"Well, come ahead to the dining-room, and you can eat and look about +at the same time. I'll corral a couple more henchmen to help in your +services and we'll flock by ourselves." + +Geordie whistled to a couple of his chums, whom he presented as Marly +Turner and Sam Graves. + +"Now," went on Geordie, who was a born manager, "we're eight of us,-- +that's enough for a table to our own selves. Nail one, Samivel." + +The way to the dining-room lay through a crush of guests, every one, +it seemed, headed in a different direction. + +"Why don't they all go one way?" asked Dotty, + +"Few of 'em eat," replied Ted. "Most of 'em going on. But the food's +always fine here, and anyway you girls want to see the dining-room if +you've never been here before. It's a whole show." + +It was. The splendid great room, with vaulted ceiling, represented an +old English hall. There was a raised platform across the end and a +gallery on either side. Fine paintings and tapestries adorned the +walls, and a multitude of small tables offered places for all who +chose to sit at them. + +"Here we are," and the boys decided on a table in a desirable +position, from which the girls could see the gay scene. "Now for some +supper." + +Obsequious waiters appeared and soon the party was served with viands +fit for a king. + +"Told you so," said Ted. "Trust the Coriell bunch to give you eats +worth-while. Oh, I guess yes!" + +"But it's getting so late," sighed Dolly, as she caught sight of an +old English clock that hung near by. "And Mr. Brown promised me I +could speak to Miss Desmond. I'm afraid she'll be gone." + +"'Fraid she's gone now," said Ted. "But I'll flee and discover." + +He left them and threaded his way among the crowd. + +"Here we are!" he cried gaily, as he returned, bringing the lady in +question. "Just caught her on the fly. Trust little Teddums to get you +what you want, Miss Fair Dolly." + +Marie Desmond greeted the girls as Ted named them. + +"You lovely kiddies!" she cried. "What a delectable bunch! I could eat +you all up. And your frocks! Paris! I know; you needn't tell ME! Are +you all sisters? Oh, no, I remember now; you have variegated names. +Which one of you wanted to talk to me? I've a whole minute to spare! +Never say I'M not a lady of leisure!" + +"I'm the one," said Dolly, her eyes fixed on the lovely, laughing face +of the actress. "But a minute is no good, thank you. I want to talk to +you about a whole day!" + +"Oh, I DO wish we could manage it," and Miss Desmond appeared to think +that was the one thing on earth she desired. But Dolly noted her +wandering attention, and was not surprised when she left them as +suddenly as she had come, and with a fleeting, smiling good-bye. + +"Oh, isn't she exquisite!" breathed Dolly, her eyes on the +disappearing figure. + +"You bet she is!" assented Marly Turner. "And it's a wonder she took a +step out of her way to speak to us kids. But friends of Coriell,--of +course." + +"Is she so very busy?" asked Dolly her eyes wide with interest. + +"Well, she's a society belle as well as a popular actress. So, I +s'pose, she has more or less on all the time. There's no time for much +of anything in New York. I say, can't us fellows come to see you +girls? When? Where?" + +"I don't know," said Dolly, mindful of the Coriell episode. "I'm not +going to say yes till I know what's right. I'll ask Uncle Forbes." + +"Do. Here's a telephone call that'll reach us. Let us come soon." And +then Mrs. Brown appeared, spoke a few words to the girls, and the hoys +with them, and in a moment everybody was going home. Our girls +followed the example set them, said their good-byes, went to the +cloak-room for their wraps, and bade the footman at the door call the +Forbes car. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +A SKATING PARTY + + +That evening, in the drawing-room, Mr. Forbes questioned the girls +rather closely as to their enjoyment of the party at the Browns'. + +"I liked it," said Dolly, "but it was queer,--that's what it was,-- +queer. The idea of just seeing a performance on the stage, and then +rushing through a very fancy supper, and then scooting for home as if +the house was on fire!--that's not my idea of a party!" + +Uncle Jeff laughed. "And you, Dotty," he said, "how did it strike +you?" + +"I adored it! Everybody was so gay and smartly dressed and quick- +spoken,--I do like to hear people say things fast." + +"How queer you are!" exclaimed Bernice; "why do you like to hear +people talk fast?" + +"Not talk fast exactly, but say things suddenly, funny things, I +mean." + +"I understand," said Mr. Forbes; "you mean bright at repartee and +quick-witted." + +"Yes, sir, that's just what I do mean. And everything was so well +planned and well arranged,--oh, I enjoyed every minute of it." + +"Well, I didn't," said Bernice. "I'd rather go to a regular party, +where they play games and dance and act sociable." + +"Why, the people were sociable enough," put in Alicia. "I'm like Dot, +I thought it was lovely! Muriel is as pretty as a picture--" + +"She scarcely said three words to us!" complained Bernice. + +"She couldn't help that. There were so many guests, that she hadn't +time to more than speak a minute or two with each one of them." + +"I like Berwick parties better," persisted Bernice. "There we all know +each other--" + +"But, Bernie," said Dolly, laughing, "all the people at this party +knew each other,--nearly. We were strangers, of course, but the rest +seemed to be well acquainted with Muriel." + +"And I thought the party was to be for us," went on Bernice, "and I +thought we'd be introduced to everybody, and be--well, be SOMEBODY, +you know." + +"Oho! you wanted to be honoured and lionised!" and Uncle Jeff's eyes +twinkled. + +"Not exactly. But I understood from Mr. Brown that the whole affair +was gotten up for us, and so I think we ought to have been noticed +more. Why, the boys just scraped acquaintance with us, and even had to +ask our names!" + +"That's the way they do at large parties, Bernie," said her uncle. +"You are supposed to talk to any of the other guests without +introduction." + +"Well, it's no sort of a way! They were awfully nice boys, but I don't +suppose we'll ever see them again." + +"Oh, yes, we will," said Dolly. "They asked to call on us, and I said +I'd ask you, Uncle Forbes. Would it be all right?" + +"Bless my soul, Dolly! I don't know. I've so little knowledge of +etiquette for young people. Ask Mrs. Berry, whatever she says, you may +do. Who are the boys? Hosmer? Knapp? Oh, they're all right. I know the +families. But as to their calling, put it up to Mrs. Berry. And, by +the way, how'd you girls like to have a party, a real one?" + +"Like the one we went to to-day?" asked Bernice, doubtfully. "I don't +care much about it." + +"Well, have some other kind. There must be other ways of entertaining. +What would you like, Bernice?" + +"I'd like a little party,--but I suppose that would have to be formal, +too." + +"Oh, gracious, you old hayseed!" exclaimed Alicia. "You go back to the +country! I'd love to have a party, Uncle, the biggest and grandest +there is! Muriel Brown would invite the people for us, I'm sure. Oh, +it would be just heavenly! We'd have an orchestra, and a midnight +supper, and--oh, and everything!" + +"Hold on, my child, don't go too fast! We'll only have what you all +agree on. Come, two D's, what do you say?" + +"We oughtn't to say," laughed Dolly. "It's for your nieces to choose. +And anyway, Dot and I like everything, and we'd enjoy any kind of a +party--or no party at all." + +"You've a nice disposition," said Mr. Forbes, looking at her. "Don't +you ever lose your temper?" + +"She hasn't any to lose!" Dotty answered for her. "In fact, she's too +awfully good-natured for any use! But she has other faults. She's as +stubborn as a perfectly good mule! Aren't you, Dollums?" + +"I s'pect I am," and the golden head nodded. "But only when I care +enough to be stubborn. As to this party, I don't care what sort it is, +'cause I know it will be lovely, anyway. That is, if we have it. But +seems to me invitations for a big affair ought to be sent out several +days in advance, and we'll be going home the middle of next week." + +"Why, you've only just got here!" said Mr. Forbes. + +"Well, it's Friday night now, and we came last Wednesday for a week. +So, if we go home next Wednesday, that party would have to be in three +or four days, and that's a short time." + +"Of course," agreed Alicia. "We couldn't give a big party on such +short notice." + +"That's easily arranged," and Mr. Forbes laughed; "stay another week." + +"Oh, I couldn't," cried Dolly. "My mother wouldn't hear of such a +thing. The other girls can, though." + +"I wouldn't if Doll didn't," declared Dotty. "But Bernie and Alicia +could stay." + +"So we could," said Bernice. "My father will let me stay as long as +Uncle Jeff wants me." + +"I can stay, too," said Alicia, "But it's lots more fun to have you +other girls with us." + +"We'll see about all that," and Mr. Forbes dismissed the subject. + +A footman came in to say that Miss Fayre was wanted on the telephone. + +"Oh!" cried Dolly, her face turning white, "do you suppose any thing's +wrong at home? Mother had a cold; maybe it's developed into +pneumonia!" + +"Nonsense, child; don't borrow trouble. Probably it's nothing of the +sort," + +"Isn't that Dolly all over?" said Alicia, after Dolly had left the +room. "She always thinks the worst there is to think!" + +"Maybe she's right," said Dotty. "Mrs. Fayre does have awful colds,-- +hark, I hear Dolly laughing! It's all right!" + +They all listened, and they heard Dolly say, "Oh, perfectly splendid! +I'd just love it!--Thank you!--Yes, indeed!--I'm 'most sure--oh, +delightful!--Well, I'll ask her--Fine!--Yes, yes,--just wait a +minute,--I'll ask her now--hold the wire." + +Followed a whispered conversation, and the girls caught the sound of +Mrs. Berry's voice. + +Unable to restrain their curiosity longer, the three rushed out to the +hall and saw Dolly, her hand over the transmitter, talking to Mrs. +Berry. + +"What is it? Tell us all!" cried Bernice, and Alicia crowded close to +listen. + +"Oh, girls," and Dolly beamed at them, "it's the loveliest invitation! +Marly Turner wants us to go, to a skating party to-morrow afternoon at +St. Valentine's rink! And Mrs. Berry says it will be all right for us +to go. Yes," she continued, speaking into the telephone. "Yes, we can +go. And we're all most happy to accept. What time?" + +"Four o'clock," came the answer. "Meet our crowd at the rink. So glad +you can come." + +"So are we," returned Dolly, "and thank you, ever so much. Good-bye." + +"Good-bye," said Turner, and Dolly hung up the receiver. + +"Tell us more," cried Alicia. "What did you hang up so soon for? Why +didn't you let US talk to him? What an old selfish you are!" + +"I couldn't, Alicia," and Dolly looked hurt. "I knew from his manner +and speech that he only; wanted a reply to his invitation, and I +wasn't expected to say more." + +"But why did he ask for you?" grumbled Alicia; "why not for me?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure," and Dolly laughed; "he did, that's all. +Let's go and tell Uncle Forbes about it." + +"All right, girls; all right. Glad you're going. Have a good time. +Marly Turner? Yes, yes, son of the Bayard Turners. Nice boy. His crowd +will be all right. Can you all skate? Did you bring your skates? If +not, get some. Get whatever you want. Look as good as the rest. Good- +night now. Good-night, all." + +Abruptly, as usual, Mr. Forbes left the room, and as the girls were +getting accustomed to his eccentricities they nodded their good- +nights, and then began to plan for the skating party. + +Mrs. Berry appeared and helped them decide on certain details of +costume and accessories. + +The two D's had brought the pretty skating costumes they had worn at +the Berwick carnival, but as Bernice had been the queen that night, +her white velvet gown was out of the question. Alicia, too, had no +appropriate garb, so these two bought new dresses. + +The final result was four very becomingly attired girls who started +merrily off on Saturday afternoon for the party at the rink. + +Four bunches of violets, with Marly Turner's card, had come to the +house, and each fair damsel wore one at her corsage. + +Dolly's suit was of light blue cloth trimmed with silver fox, and +Dotty's was red cloth with dark fur. + +Bernice looked very handsome in white cloth, and Alicia had chosen +emerald green. + +They were met at the rink by Marly and his chums, and at once +introduced to the chaperon of the affair, who was Marly's married +sister. She didn't look much older than the boy himself, but she +greeted the girls with a charming hospitality and declared herself +delighted to take them in charge. + +The other boys whom they had met at Muriel's party were there, and +Muriel was, too. She welcomed the four warmly, but as she was +constantly in demand by other gay young friends, they had no chance +for connected conversation with her. + +Indeed, connected conversation was not thought of, unless with one's +skating partner. + +"You're all right on runners," commented Geordie Knapp, as he skated +with Dotty. "You must be fond of it." + +"Oh, I am. I skate a lot at home; that is, when there's ice. We're +dependent on that, you see, as we haven't an ice rink in Berwick." + +"Berwick? Small town?" + +"Yes. 'Bout as big as a minute," and Dotty laughed good-naturedly. + +"That's why you're so up to the minute, then," Geordie laughed back. +"Want to sit down and rest a bit?" + +"All right. Let's," and they sat down for a few moments. + +"There goes your chum,--with Ted Hosmer. She is your chum, isn't she? +The Fair Dolly?" + +"Dolly Fayre? Yes, indeed; we're super-inseparable." + +"That's the way with Ted and me. We're always together. Funny, isn't +it, how you like one person better'n anybody else?" + +"Yes; I couldn't keep house without Dolly. And we do keep house!" and +Dotty told her companion all about Treasure House and its delights. + +"Wow! That's some stunt! A house like that I I'd like to see it." + +"Do. Some day next summer come out to Berwick and I'll show it to you. +We've great little old brothers, too. One apiece." + +"Have you? I s'pose you can cut up larks in the country that you +couldn't here?" + +"It's awfully different." Dotty sighed. "I like the city better in +lots of ways, but, altogether, I guess I'd rather live in Berwick." + +"What are you two confabbing about?" sang out a voice, and Dolly, with +Ted Hosmer, came gliding up and stopped in front of Dot and young +Knapp. + +"Settling the affairs of the nation," said Geordie; "also, it's a case +of 'change partners.'" He jumped up, took Dolly's hands in his, and +they swayed off across the ice, leaving Dotty and Ted together. + +"Don't mind him; he's crazy" said Ted, as he dropped onto the seat +beside Dotty. "And anyway, we're such chums we share our best friends +with each other!" + +"Glad you do! I like to talk to different people--" + +"I'm a different people; oh, I assure you I am. Please like to talk to +me!" + +"I do. Or, at least, I'm sure I shall. What shall we talk about?" + +"Sports in general. What do you like best, next to skating?" + +"Tennis, don't you?" + +"Sure, if you do. But that's mostly for summer. Come on, let's skate +round a couple of times, and then go for the tea place." + +It was good fun skating with Ted, and, as Dolly told him, he reminded +her a little of her friend, Tad Brown. + +"Any kin of Muriel's?" + +"No, a boy in Berwick. He has a twin brother, Tod." + +"Great names! Tadpole and Toddlekins, in full, I suppose." + +"They are called those sometimes. Oh, Mrs. Graham is beckoning to us. +We must go." + +They joined Mrs. Graham, who was their chaperon, and she marshalled +her crowd of young people to the tea room. + +At last Muriel Brown found a chance to talk to our girls. + +"We seem like old friends," she said, gaily. "Isn't the ice fine to- +day? Are you going to the dance to-night? What? Not invited? That can +easily be remedied. I say, Sam, don't you want these four angel +children at your party?" + +"'Deed I do!" and Sam Graves beamed broadly, "I didn't dare ask them +myself,--meant to get you to do it. Coax 'em, Muriel. Make 'em say +yes." + +Alicia took it upon herself to accept this invitation, though Dolly +insisted it would depend on Mrs. Berry's sanction. + +"Who's Mrs. Berry?" asked Muriel. "Is she a dragon?" + +"No, indeed," smiled Dotty; "she's the dearest old yes-sayer in the +world!" + +"Oh, she'll let you come then. Tell the girls all about it, Sam," and +Muriel moved away. + +"She went off and left her ice cream untouched!" exclaimed Dotty. + +"She's always on the hop,--Muriel is," said Sam. "Now you girls come +to-night, won't you? It's a small and early at my house. Mr. Forbes +knows me, and I know your Mrs. Berry, too. Just tell her it's little +Sammy's party, and she'll send you flying over." + +"Tell us something about it," said Dolly. "Is it to be very grand? +We're hazy on the subject of New York dances." + +"Can you dance?" + +"Yes, though maybe not the very latest steps." + +"That's all right, then. Put on a clean sash and come along. You won't +be wall flowers!" + +"What time shall we come?" asked Bernice. "Tell me about the details; +I'm Mr. Forbe's niece." + +Bernice was always a little jealous if the D's seemed to be consulted +rather than herself or Alicia. + +"Oh, no details specially. All informal, you know. Come when you +like,--nine, maybe, or half past. If you're feeling conventional about +it, my mother will call on you--by telephone--and ask you proper." + +"Oh, no, she needn't do that," and Bernice laughed at the idea. "We're +only little girls. If Mrs. Berry says we can go, your invitation is +enough." + +"Good work! Be sure to come. Crazy to have you. 'Scuse me a minute,-- +there's a girl I want to speak to." + +Sam darted off, and another boy dropped into his vacated seat. It was +this touch and go effect that Dotty liked, but to Dolly it seemed a +whirling maze. + +And, indeed, almost before they knew it they were all whirled off +home. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE COLLECTIONS + + +On Sunday, dinner was in the middle of the day, and directly after it +was over Mr. Forbes led the four to the drawing-room, as was usual in +the evening, and asked an account of the dance. + +"It was lovely!" vouchsafed Dotty. + +"Gorgeous!" agreed Bernice. + +"Perfectly all right," Alicia averred. + +"Nice enough, but very grown uppish," was Dolly's verdict. + +"You stick to your taste for simpler parties?" said Mr. Forbes, +looking kindly at Dolly. + +"Yes, sir; I guess I'm a country girl." + +"Well, I'm not," and Dotty's black eyes flashed. "I'd just as lief +live in Berwick, to be sure; but I do love to visit in New York and +see all the grand doings." + +"And was the party grand?" + +"Oh, it was, uncle," said Alicia. "It was small and it was early." + +"Pooh!" cried Dolly. "We came home at half past eleven. I don't call +that early!" + +"Early for a city party," insisted Alicia, "but it was an elaborate +affair, after all, and what do you s'pose, Uncle Jeff? We had +invitations to a lot of things, next week and the week after, too." + +"Well, you girls are real belles!" + +"They do seem to like us," and Alicia looked very well self-satisfied. + +"Which one of you do they like the best?" teased Uncle Jeff. + +"Dotty," said Alicia and Bernice together. + +"Nothing of the sort!" declared Dotty, blushing rosy red. + +"Who, then?" and Mr. Forbes turned to her. + +"Why, I don't know," said Dotty, still embarrassed. "Dolly, I guess." + +"You know better, Dot," and Dolly laughed at her. "I think, Uncle +Forbes, the most citified boys and girls like Bernie and Alicia best, +and some of the others take to Dot and me." + +Her honest blue eyes proved this was her true opinion, whatever the +facts might be. + +"Well, look here," and Mr. Forbes' eyes twinkled "I ask you two, Dotty +and Dolly, which of my two nieces is a greater favourite?" + +"Why, how can we tell that, right before them both?" cried Dolly, +taking it as a joke. + +"Yes, I want you to tell me,--right before them." + +"I don't think there's a bit of difference," Dotty said, speaking +seriously, and looking at the two girls. "You see, everybody likes +Bernie--and--they all like Alicia." + +"You're a diplomat!" laughed the old man, "Now, Dolly, see if you can +beat that?" + +Dolly liked being put on her mettle, and after a moment's thought, +when she pretended to study the girls, she said, "They are both liked +tremendously for themselves,--but more, because they are your nieces." + +"Capital!" and Mr. Forbes rubbed his hands in glee. "You're a tactful +young person, I do avow. Now, just for that you may ask anything of me +you like, to the half of my kingdom." + +"I'll ask," said Dolly, quickly, "before you have a chance to repent +of that offer. This is what I want: Let us go up and see your +collections. May we?" + +"I s'pose so. Will you be good little girls, and not finger the +exhibits, except such as I say you may?" + +"Of course we will. We're not mischievous little kiddies! Oh, are you +really going to let us see it! When?" + +"Now. May as well get it over, I suppose. March!" + +He led the way, and the girls trooped after him, up to the fourth +floor of the house. + +The rooms corresponded to those below stairs, but all were arranged as +a museum. There were enormous cases filled with specimens of every +sort of bird, butterfly or insect. Or, if not every kind was +represented, surely they were nearly all there, so multitudinous were +the exhibits. + +"What a lot!" exclaimed Dolly, "I had no idea it was such an enormous +collection." + +"Yes," said Mr. Forbes, with justifiable pride, "it Is the largest +private collection that I know of. Come, let me show you the birds +first." + +Obediently the girls followed his directions, and with ever growing +interest they saw the rows and rows of stuffed birds, of all sizes and +of all varieties of plumage. + +Then came great cabinets filled with shallow drawers, each of which, +when opened, displayed tiny moths, queer flies, and microscopic +insects, each daintily mounted on its own pin and all standing in trim +rows. + +The butterflies were the prettiest exhibit of all. These showed rare +varieties and well-known ones; specimens from far distant countries +and from their own state. + +All the girls were interested, but Dolly was absorbed. She walked from +case to case, asking intelligent questions, that Mr. Forbes was glad +to answer. + +"You ought to make natural history a special study," he said to her. +"You seem so fond of it." + +"Oh, I am!" responded Dolly. "I shall try to get mother to let me take +it up specially next year. And here are the beetles! How wonderfully +they are arranged, and what beautiful colours!" + +"Yes, see the iridescent wings of this chap," and Uncle Jeff pointed +to a fine specimen. "I don't wonder the old Egyptians loved this +creature and carved their scarabs in its likeness, do you?" + +"No indeed," responded Dolly. "And do you like old Egyptian things, +too? So do I. I saw wonders in the Museum." + +"I have quite an antique collection, if you're interested." + +"If I'm interested! Well, I just guess I AM!" + +The other girls enjoyed the exhibition, too, but not so much as Dolly, +who was enthusiastic over it all. They had so far seen only the front +rooms, but now Uncle Jeff conducted them to the room in the rear +extension of the house, and as he unlocked the door he said, "Here are +my greatest treasures of all." + +The girls went in, and Mr. Forbes rolled up the shades and let in the +sunlight. + +"My, but it's close and stuffy!" exclaimed Bernice; "mayn't we have a +window open, uncle?" + +"Yes, indeed; I believe in fresh air, but I keep this room closed so +much of the time it does get stale." + +Mr. Forbes threw open a window that faced the south, and as there was +no wind blowing, the fresh winter air was balmy and pleasant. + +"That's better," said Bernice, and she began to look at the treasures +all about her. + +There were many tall cases, like book-cases, and on their shelves were +ranged curios and valuables of all sorts. These proved more +interesting to Dotty than the birds and butterflies. + +"Oh, look at the old jewellery!" she cried. "Just like what we saw in +the museum, Doll." + +"Yes, here are old Egyptian trinkets,--aren't they, Uncle Forbes?" + +"Yes, those are Egyptian and Abyssinian. This nose ring was worn by a +lady in India some centuries before you girls were born." + +"What is the oldest thing you have, Uncle?" asked Alicia. "This +jewellery?" + +"No; this is my oldest piece," and Mr. Forbes took from a shelf an +image of a cat. It was of dark brown material, and was dingy and +roughened, as if by fire. + +"This came from an old Egyptian tomb," he said. "You know they put all +sorts of idols and charms in the tombs of their dead. Then once in a +while these things are exhumed, and in some instances sold by the +Egyptian Museum authorities. I buy only what is guaranteed by them to +be genuine. I have an agent, who has travelled in many countries to +collect authentic antiquities for me. This cat dates from about 2000 +B. C." + +"Gracious!" cried Dotty, "and there's been nearly two thousand years +since B. C. That makes Mr. Cat about four thousand years old! Some +cat!" + +"Well, a cat has nine lives anyway," laughed Alicia, "so it ought to +be a long time dead." + +"That never was a live cat, was it?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, no. This was a bronze image, but fire and age have turned it to a +mere brittle shell. If it were dropped to the floor it would break +into a thousand pieces." + +"Oh, my! take it!" exclaimed Dolly, who was holding the precious +relic. "I didn't know it was so fragile." + +Mr. Forbes took it carefully. "That's why I don't often bring young +people up here. They're too heedless to appreciate the value of these +old things. Yes, two centuries before the Christian Era, this piece of +bric-a-brac, as we would call it, adorned the tomb of some Egyptian +citizen. I have the guarantee, signed by the Egyptian Museum. And here +is a fine specimen. This is in a better state of preservation. See, +you can read the date on it clearly, 537 B. C." + +Mr. Forbes took from a cabinet a small image of a mummy. It was of +blue stone, somewhat chipped and worn, but preserving its shape and +colour. On the back, in rude figures, but clearly discernible was the +date to which he called their attention. + +"Wonderful!" said Alicia. "Their figures are much like ours, aren't +they?" + +"Yes, my child, the Arabic numerals are of ancient usage. Think of the +old hand that carved that date! Long since mouldered to dust!" + +"It gives me the creeps!" declared Bernice, "and yet it fascinates me, +too. Was this found in a tomb?" + +"Yes, or in a temple. Excavations in Egypt, latterly, produce so many +of these things that it is not difficult to get them. But that's +pretty old, you see,--half a century before Christ." + +"I wonder who was King of Egypt then," said Dotty. "I wish I could +remember my history better. I learned about the Ptolemies and the +other dynasties, but I get 'em all mixed up." + +Although the others were eagerly examining the old mummy relic, Dolly +stood looking at it thoughtfully. + +"May I take it?" she said, after the others had scrutinised it. + +Dolly handled it carefully, as she minutely observed it on every side. +It was about six inches long and was a perfect little model of an +Egyptian mummy. She gazed at the date deeply graven on the back, and +then with a slight smile she handed it back to Mr. Forbes, saying, +"Very good, Eddie!" + +"What! What do you mean?" cried the old gentleman, glaring at her, and +Alicia exclaimed, "Why, Dolly Fayre! You rude little thing!" + +"But what do you mean?" persisted Mr. Forbes. Why do you call me +Eddie?" + +"Oh," and Dolly laughed, "that's a slang phrase that people say when +they see through a joke." + +"Joke, miss! Are you making fun of my antiques? Explain yourself!" + +"Yes, what DO you mean, Dolly?" said Dotty, anxiously; "you can't mean +to insult Mr. Forbes." + +"You goosies!" cried Dolly, "he's fooling you. It's a joke on us." + +"What is? What's a joke?" + +"This mummy," and now Mr. Forbes had joined in Dolly's laughter. + +"You're a cute one!" he said. "Not one person in a dozen catches on to +that. Tell 'em, my dear. Oh, you are a smart one!" + +Mr. Forbes shook with glee, and Dolly held up the image to the +mystified girls. + +"Don't you see, you blindies, the date 537 B. C. couldn't have been +put on in the year 537 B. C.?" + +"Why not?" asked Alicia, looking blank. + +"Why, at that time they didn't know how many years it would be before +Christ's birth. Nobody dated anything B. C. until after the Christian +Era had begun." + +"But why didn't they?" and Bernice also looked bewildered. + +"Think a minute, you sillies. Nobody knew the exact date of the year +one until after the year one was here. In fact, I don't think they +began to count right away, anyhow. But certainly they didn't know five +hundred and thirty-seven years before!" + +"Oh, I see!" cried Bernice. "All the B. C. years have been computed or +dated since the A. D. years began." + +"Of course they have, and Mr. Forbes had the date carved on this mummy +on purpose to fool people. Didn't you?" + +"Yes," chuckled Mr. Forbes, "and it has fooled lots of people older +and wiser than you, little Dolly Fayre! I think you're pretty smart to +notice the fraud!" + +"Oh, no. But it just happened to occur to me that I'd never seen a B. +C. date marked before, and then I thought at once that it couldn't +be." + +"Pretty cute, all the same. You other girls didn't see it." + +"No, we didn't," admitted Dotty. "I own up I was fooled. I never +thought of the absurdity of the thing. Did you make up the joke?" + +"No, I bought the mummy from a dealer who sold a few of them for the +purpose of fun-making. It's a pretty good joke." + +It was, and though the girls felt a little chagrined at being taken +in, they were generous enough to appreciate Dolly's cleverness and be +glad of it. + +A case of antique jewellery proved interesting to all. The queer +ornaments worn by the ancients were admired and studied by the girls, +and Mr. Forbes enjoyed telling of their histories. + +"This earring," he said, "is perhaps the gem of the whole collection. +It is Byzantine, and is of wonderfully delicate workmanship." The +filigree gold ornament, was a long and slender pendant, of intricate +gold work and studded with tiny jewels. It was one of a pair of +earrings, and they wondered where its mate might be, if indeed, it was +yet in existence. + +"It would make a fine lavalliere," said Dolly, holding it up against +her chest, and glancing in a nearby mirror. "See!" and she hooked the +trinket into the lace at her throat, "isn't it becoming?" + +"Very," laughed Bernice, and turned to see what Dotty was now +exclaiming over. + +It proved to be a bracelet, that legend said had been worn by +Cleopatra, though Mr. Forbes frankly acknowledged he didn't believe +this. + +"Let me take it by the light," said Alicia, "it's getting dusk in +here." + +She took the bracelet to the open window, and admired the beauty of +its wrought gold. + +"Here, take it, Uncle Jeff," she said; "I declare I'm almost afraid to +handle these valuable things for fear I should suddenly become a klep- +what-do-you-call-it?" + +"Kleptomaniac?" said her uncle, laughing, "I'm not afraid, or I +shouldn't have brought you girls up here. I don't mind admitting I +have one friend, a wise old octogenarian, rich as Croesus, whom I +wouldn't trust up here alone! He'd steal a gem as quickly as a highway +robber would!" + +"How awful!" said Bernice. "Just because of his craze for antiques?" + +"Yes. You know some people are carried quite out of themselves by a +pet hobby. Well, girls, it is getting dusk. Let's go downstairs, and +have a little chat over what you've seen. I'd like to see how much you +remember of what I've told you." + +"Shall I shut the window, Uncle Jeff?" asked Bernice. + +"No, leave it open. A little air will do the room good. I'll see to it +later." + +The girls left the room, Mr. Forbes followed, and locking the door, +pocketed the key, and they all went downstairs. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +THE LOST JEWEL + + +A pleasant hour was spent in the library as Mr. Forbes told the girls +anecdotes connected with his treasures, and also catechised them on +what they had learned from their afternoon in his museum. + +Dolly had taken the greatest interest in it, though Bernice soon +proved that she had the best memory of them all, for she could tell +dates and data that her uncle had informed them, and which the others +more often forgot. + +"I haven't any memory," sighed Dolly. "But I do love to see these +things and hear about them. It's lots of work, isn't it, to get them +all properly catalogued and labelled?" + +"Yes, it keeps Fenn pretty busy, and often I bring in an assistant for +him. But Fenn is a clever chap, and a quick worker." + +Their chat was interrupted by Geordie Knapp and Ted Hosmer, who came +over to call on the girls. + +"Come right in, boys, glad to see you," was Mr. Forbes' hearty +greeting. "I shouldn't wonder if our young friends here would be glad +too. They've spent the whole afternoon with my old fogy talk and I'll +warrant they'll be glad of a change." + +"You, stay with us, Uncle, and enjoy the change, too," laughed Alicia, +as Mr. Forbes was leaving the room. + +"No, no; it doesn't seem to occur to you that I'd like a rest from a +crowd of chatter-boxes!" His merry smile belied his words, and he went +off leaving the young people together. + +Mrs. Berry looked in, and hospitably invited the boys to stay to +supper, which they willingly agreed to do. + +Also, they stayed an hour or more after supper, and when at last they +departed, the four girls remained in the library talking things over. + +To their surprise, Mr. Forbes came to the room, and without a word sat +down facing the group. Something in his expression caused the girls to +stop their laughter and chatter, for the old gentleman looked +decidedly serious. + +"Well, my dears," and he looked from one to another, "have you had a +pleasant day?" + +"Yes, indeed," spoke up Alicia, and they all added words of assent. + +"Well, I haven't," said Mr. Forbes, and they looked up at him with a +startled air. "That is, I have just made a discovery that makes to-day +one of the most unfortunate of my life." + +"What is it, Uncle? What is the matter?" + +Alicia spoke solicitously, as if she feared her uncle had become +suddenly ill. + +"I have met with a loss." + +"A loss?" queried Bernice. "What have you lost?" + +"One of my dearest possessions. I went to my museum just now, to that +rear room which we were in last, and I discovered that one of my +valuable pieces of jewellery is gone." + +The girls stared at him blankly, and at last, Bernice said, "Which +one?" + +"The Byzantine earring, the gold filigree piece." + +"Oh," cried Alicia, "that lovely piece! Why, where can it be?" + +"I don't know," replied her uncle, slowly. "I searched everywhere, and +as I couldn't find it, I came down here to ask if you girls had taken +it as--as a joke on me." + +"No, indeed!" exclaimed Alicia. "I'd scorn to do such a mean trick! +None of us would think of such a thing, would we, girls?" + +"No, indeed," said they all, and then a silence fell. Where could the +jewel be? As always, in moments of excitement, Dolly turned very pale +while Dotty flushed furiously red. Alicia, sat, her big eyes staring +with dismay and Bernice nervously picked at her handkerchief. + +"Come now," said Mr. Forbes, "if any of you girls did take it, in +jest, give it up, for it isn't a funny joke at all." + +"Oh, we didn't! I'm sure none of us did!" and Dolly almost wailed in +her earnest denial. + +"Of course, we didn't!" declared Dotty, angrily. "You ought to know +we're not that sort of girls! It must have been mislaid, or pushed +behind something that conceals it from view." + +"Probably you're right," and Mr. Forbes looked at her intently. +"That's probably the solution of its disappearance. I'll have Fenn +make search to-morrow. I'm sorry I bothered you about it. Good-night." + +With his funny abruptness he left the room, and the girls sat looking +at each other in amazement. + +"Did you ever hear anything like that!" demanded Dotty, furiously. +"The idea of thinking we would do such a thing! I hate practical +jokes, unless among a lot of school chums. I wouldn't think of playing +a joke on a grown-up!" + +"Uncle Jeff hasn't had much experience with young folks," put in +Alicia, by way of excuse for their host. "You know he always lives +alone, and he doesn't know what girls would or wouldn't do." + +"But how awful for that thing to be lost," mused Bernice. "Suppose it +fell down behind a case, or somewhere, and he NEVER finds it!" + +"Oh, his secretary will find it," said Dolly, hopefully. "It MUST be +somewhere around. Don't let's talk about it. If we do, I shan't sleep +a wink all night! I never do, if I worry." + +"I think it's something to worry about," said Alicia. "It's the worst +blow Uncle Jeff could have. You know how he adores his treasures. Why, +he'd rather lose everything from these downstairs than one specimen +out of those fourth story rooms. And that gold earring, of all +things!" + +"I tell you stop talking about it!" and Dolly clapped her hands over +her ears. "Please, humour me in this," she added, smiling a little, +"truly, it will keep me awake, if I get to worrying over it." + +"All right, girls, let's drop the subject. Also, let's go to bed." It +was Alicia who spoke, and she seemed under great excitement. Her eyes +were unnaturally bright, and her cheeks were pink, and she moved +jerkily, as if nervous. + +So the four went up to their rooms, and saying good-night, they closed +the door of communication between. + +"What's the matter, Dollums?" asked Dotty, as she saw tears in the +blue eyes. + +"Nothing, Dot, only don't talk about that gold thing, will you? I just +simply can't stand it if you do!" + +"'Course I won't if you don't want me to, only what DO you s'pose DID +become of it?" + +"There you go! I think you're too mean for anything!" + +"Oh, pshaw, I didn't mean to. I forgot. All right, no more talk 'bout +that old rubbish. What shall us talk about?" + +"Don't talk at all. I'd rather go to sleep." + +"Go, then, old crossy! But I s'pose you don't mean to sleep in your +clothes!" + +"No," and Dolly laughed a little. "I know I'm an old bear, and a +crosspatch, and everything horrid,--but I'm nervous, Dotty, I AM." + +"I know it, old girl, but you'll get over it. I believe this city life +is wearing you out! I believe it's time you went home." + +"Oh, I think so, too. I wish we could go tomorrow!" + +"Well, we can't. What has got into you, Dollyrinda? I believe you're +homesick!" + +"I am, Dotty! I'd give anything to see mother now.--I wish I was home +in my own room." + +"You'll be there soon enough. I s'pose we'll go Wednesday." + +"Wednesday! that seems ages off!" + +"Why, Dollums, to-morrow, you can say Wednesday is day after to- +morrow! That's what I always do if I want to hurry up the days. But I +don't want to hurry up our days in New York! No sir-ee! I love every +one of 'em! _I_ wish we could stay a month!" + +"I don't!" and then there were few more words said between the two +that night. Soon they were in bed, and if Dolly lay awake, Dotty +didn't know it, for she fell asleep almost as soon as her dark curly +head touched its pillow. + +Meantime in the next room, the other two were talking. + +"I do hope Uncle Jeff will find his old jewel," Bernice said, +pettishly. "We won't have a bit more fun, if he doesn't." "That's so," +agreed Alicia, "but he won't find it." + +"How do you know?" + +"Oh, 'cause. It's very likely fallen down some crack or somewhere that +nobody'd think of looking. Why, once, a photograph was on our mantel, +and it disappeared most mysteriously. And we never could find it. And +after years, there was a new mantelpiece put in, and there was the +picture! It had slipped down a narrow mite of a crack between the +mantel-shelf and the wall back of it." + +"Tell Uncle Jeff that to-morrow. Maybe it will help him to find the +thing." + +"All right, I will. But of course, Mr. Fenn will look everywhere +possible. I don't believe anybody'll ever find it." + +"Then Uncle will be cast down and upset all the rest of the time we're +here." + +"Well, I can't help that. What do you suppose, Bernice, he asked us +here for, anyway?" + +"You ask me that a hundred dozen times a day, 'Licia! I tell you I +don't know, but I think it was only a whim. You know how queer he is. +He forgets we're in this house from one evening to the next. If to-day +hadn't been Sunday, we wouldn't have seen him this afternoon. I wish +we were going to stay another week." + +"So do I. But I don't like to ask him outright, and he hasn't said +anything about it lately. The others couldn't stay, anyway." + +"Oh, I don't know. I think if they were invited their mothers would +let them. And anyway, I'd rather stay without them, than to go home." + +"Yes, I would, too. Dot likes it better than Dolly." + +"Yes, Dolly's homesick. Anybody can see that. But they like it when we +go to places, and see sights." + +"Who wouldn't? We're really having fairy-tale times, you know." + +"I know it. I shall hate to go back to school." + +"Well, I don't hate to go home. I have good enough times in Berwick; +but I'd like to stay here one week more. I think I'll ask Uncle Jeff +to let us, if he doesn't ask us himself." + +"Wait till he finds his lost treasure. He'll be pretty blue if he +doesn't get that back." + +"Yes, indeed he will. Let's hope the Fenn man will spy it out. It must +be in that room somewhere, you know." + +"Of course it must. The secretary will find it. That's what +secretaries are for." + +And then silence and sleep descended on that room also. + +Next morning, Mr. Forbes appeared at the breakfast table. This was the +first time they had ever seen him in the morning and the girls greeted +him cheerily. + +"Very nice," he said, affably, "to come down and breakfast with a +flock of fresh young rosebuds like you," and he seemed so good- +natured, that Alicia decided he had taken his loss more easily than +she had feared. + +But toward the end of the meal, Mr. Forbes made known the reason of +his early appearance. + +"We can't find that earring," he said, suddenly. "Mr. Fenn and I have +been looking since six o'clock this morning. Now I'm going to ask you +girls to help me. Will you all come up to the museum and hunt? Your +young eyes may discern it, where we older seekers have failed. At any +rate, I'd like you to try." + +The four expressed ready willingness, and they rose from the table and +followed Uncle Jeff up the stairs to the rear room where the loss had +occurred. + +The sun shone in at the southern windows, and flooded the room with +brightness. It seemed impossible to overlook the treasure, and surely +it must be found at once. + +A youngish man was there before them, and he was introduced as the +secretary. Lewis Fenn was a grave looking, solemn-faced chap, who, it +was evident took seriously the responsibility of his position as +tabulator and in part, custodian of valuable treasures. He bowed to +the girls, but said nothing beyond a word of greeting to each. + +"You see," said Mr. Forbes, "I locked this room myself, after you +girls last evening, and nobody could get in to take the earring. +Consequently, it would seem that a close search MUST be efficacious. +So, let us all set to, and see what we can do in the way of +discovery." + +"Let's divide the room in four," suggested Mr. Fenn, "and one of you +young ladies take each quarter." + +"Good idea!" commented Uncle Jeff, "and we'll do just that. Alicia, +you take this west end, next the door; Bernice, the east end, +opposite; Dotty, the north side, and Dolly, the south side. There, +that fixes it. Now, to work, all of you. I've exhausted my powers of +search, and so has Fenn." + +The two men sat down in the middle of the room, while the girls +eagerly began to search. They were told not to look in the cases, but +merely on tables or any place around the room where the jewel might +have fallen or been laid. + +"Who had it last?" asked Mr. Fenn, as the girls searched here and +there. + +Nobody seemed to know, exactly, and then Alicia said, suddenly, "Why, +don't you know, Dolly hooked it onto the front of her dress, and said +it would make a lovely pendant." + +"But I took it off," said Dolly, turning white. + +"Where did you put it then?" asked Mr. Fenn, not unkindly, but +curiously. + +"Let me see," faltered Dolly, "I don't quite remember. I guess I laid +it on this table." + +"If so, it must be there now, my dear," said Mr. Forbes, suavely. +"Look thoroughly." + +Dolly did look thoroughly, and Dotty came over to help her, but the +earring was not on the table. + +Nor was it on other tables that were about the room; nor on any chair +or shelf or settee or window-sill. + +"Where CAN it be?" said Dotty, greatly alarmed, lest Dolly's having +fastened it to her dress should have been the means of losing it. + +"Are you sure you removed it from your frock, Miss Fayre?" asked Fenn, +and at that moment Dolly took a dislike to the man. His voice was low +and pleasant, but the inflection was meaning, and he seemed to imply +that Dolly might have worn it from the room. + +"Of course, I am," Dolly replied, in a scared, low voice, which +trembled as she spoke. + +"There's an idea," said Mr. Forbes. "Mightn't you have left it hooked +into your lace, Dolly, and it's there still? Run and look, my dear." + +"I'll go with you," said Dotty, but Fenn said, "No, Miss Rose, you'd +better stay here." + +Dotty was so astonished at his dictum that she stood still and stared +at him. Dolly ran off to her room on the second floor and carefully +examined the dress she had worn the day before. + +"No," she said, on her return, "it isn't on my dress. I knew it +couldn't be,--I should have seen it when I undressed. Besides, I know +I took it off here, only a moment after I tried it on. I merely looked +at it an instant, and then I unhooked it and laid it on this table." + +"But at first, you weren't sure that you did place it on that table, +Miss Fayre," came the insinuating voice of Fenn once more. + +"Yes, I did, I'm sure of it now," and Dolly's white face was drawn +with anxiety. + +"Think again." counselled the secretary. + +"Maybe you took it off, and absent-mindedly slipped it in your +pocket." + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +SUSPICIONS + + +Dotty turned on Fenn like a little fury. "What do you mean?" she +cried. "Are you accusing Dolly of stealing that thing?" + +"There, there," said Mr. Forbes, placatingly, "Of course, Fenn didn't +mean that. Not intentionally, that is. But without thinking, couldn't--" + +"No, she couldn't!" stormed Dotty. "Dolly Fayre doesn't go around +pocketing people's jewels unconsciously! She isn't a kleptomaniac, or +whatever you call it! She did exactly as she says she did. She laid +that earring on that table." + +"Then why isn't it there now?" asked Fenn. + +"Because somebody else moved it. Oh, don't ask me who. I don't KNOW +who! And I don't CARE who! But Dolly put it there, and whoever took it +away from there can find it! Perhaps YOU, can, Mr. Fenn!" + +The secretary looked at the angry girl with an irritating smile. + +"I wish I might, Miss Rose. But I've searched the room thoroughly, as +you all have, too. It can't be HERE, you know." + +"I'll tell you," said Alicia, eagerly, and then she described how in +her home a photograph had slipped down behind the mantel and had been +lost for years. + +"Let us see," and Mr. Forbes went to the mantel in the room. But there +was not the least mite of a crack between the shelf and the wall. +Alicia's suggestion was useless. + +"But," she said, "there might be that sort of a hiding-place somewhere +else. Let's look all over." + +The girls tried hard to find some crack or crevice in any piece of +furniture, into which the trinket might have slipped, but there was +none. They felt down between backs and seats of chairs, looked behind +cases of treasures, moved every book and paper that lay on the tables, +even turned up the edges of rugs, and peeped under. + +"It doesn't make any difference how much we look," Dotty declared, +"we've just got to look more,--that's all. Why, that earring is in +this room, and that's all there is about that! Now, it's up to us to +find it. You know, after you search all the possible places, you have +to search the impossible ones." + +"I admire your perseverance," said Mr. Forbes, "but I can't hope it +will be rewarded. It isn't as if we were hunting for a thing that +somebody had purposely concealed, that would mean an exhaustive +search. But we're looking for something merely mislaid or tossed +aside, and if we find it, it will be in some exposed place, not +cleverly hidden." + +"Oh, I don't know, Uncle Jeff," said Bernice, "you know when Alicia's +photograph slipped behind the mantel, that was deeply hidden, although +not purposely." + +"Yes, that's so," and Uncle Jeff looked questioningly from one girl to +another. + +It was impossible to ignore the fact that he deemed one of them +responsible for the disappearance of the jewel, and until the matter +was cleared up, all felt under suspicion. Fenn, too, was studying the +four young faces, as if to detect signs of guilt in one of them. + +At last he said, "Let us get at this systematically. Who took the +earring first, when Mr. Forbes handed it out from the case?" + +"I did," said Dotty, promptly. "I stood nearest to Mr. Forbes and he +handed it to me. After I looked at it, I passed it to Alicia." + +"No, you didn't," contradicted Alicia. "I didn't touch it." + +"Why, yes, 'Licia," Dotty persisted, "you took it and said--" + +"I tell you I didn't! I never handled the things at all! It was +Bernice." + +"I did have it in my hands," said Bernice, reflectively, "but I can't +remember whether I took it from Dot or Alicia." + +"I didn't touch it, I tell you!" and Alicia frowned angrily. + +"Oh, yes, you did," said Dolly, "it was you, Alicia, who passed it on +to me. And I took it--" + +"You didn't take it from me, Dolly," and Alicia grew red with passion. +"I vow I never touched it! You took it from Bernice." + +"No," said Dolly, trying to think. "I took it from you, and I held it +up and asked you how it looked." + +"No, Doll, you asked me that," said Bernice, "and I said it was very +becoming." + +"You girls seem decidedly mixed as to what you did," said Mr. Fenn, +with a slight laugh. "I think you're not trying to remember very +clearly." + +"Hold on, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes, reprovingly. "It's in the girls' +favour that they don't remember clearly. If they tossed the thing +aside carelessly, they naturally wouldn't remember." + +"But, Mr. Forbes," and the secretary spoke earnestly, "would these +young ladies toss a valuable gem away carelessly? They are not +ignorant children. They all knew that the earring is a choice +possession. I'm sure not one of them would toss it aside, unheeding +where it might fall!" + +This was perfectly true. None of the four girls could have been so +heedless as that! They had carefully handled every gem or curio shown +them, and then returned it to Mr. Forbes as a matter of course. + +Fenn's speech was rather a facer. All had to admit its truth, and the +four girls looked from one to another and then at Mr. Forbes. He was +studying them intently. + +Bernice and Dolly were crying. Alicia and Dotty were dry-eyed and +angry-faced. If one of the four had a secret sense of guilt, it was +difficult to guess which one it might be, for all were in a state of +excitement and were well-nigh hysterical. + +"Much as I regret it," Mr. Forbes began, "I am forced to the +conclusion that one or more of you girls knows something of the +present whereabouts of my lost jewel. I do not say I suspect any of +you of wilful wrong-doing, it might be you had accidentally carried it +off, and now feel embarrassed about returning it. I can't--I won't +believe, that any of you deliberately took it with intent to keep it." + +"We thank you for that, Mr. Forbes," and Dotty's tone and the +expression of her face denoted deepest sarcasm. "It is a comfort to +know that you do not call us thieves! But, for my part, I think it is +about as bad to accuse us of concealing knowledge of the matter. I +think you'd better search our trunks and suitcases! And then, if you +please, I should like to go home--" + +"No doubt you would, Miss Rose!" broke in Fenn's cold voice. "A search +of your belongings would be useless. If one of you is concealing the +jewel, it would not be found in any available place of search. You +would have put it some place in the house, not easy of discovery. That +would not be difficult." + +"Be quiet, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes. "Girls, I'm not prepared to say I +think one of you has hidden the jewel, but I do think that some of you +must know something about it. How can I think otherwise? Now, tell me +if it is so. I will not scold,--I will not even blame you, if you have +been tempted, or if having accidentally carried it off, you are +ashamed to own up. I'm not a harsh man. I only want the truth. You +can't be surprised at my conviction that you DO know something of it. +Why, here's the case in a nutshell. I handed that earring to you, and +I never received it back. What can I think but that you have it yet? +It is valuable, to be sure, but the money worth of it is as nothing to +the awfulness of the feeling that we have an untrustworthy person +among us. Can it be either of my two nieces who has done this wrong? +Can it be either of their two young friends? I don't want to think so, +but what alternative have I? And I MUST know! For reasons which I do +not care to tell you, it is imperative that I shall discover who is at +fault. I could let the whole matter drop, but there is a very strong +cause why I should not do so. I beg of you, my dear nieces,--my dear +young friends,--I beseech you, tell me the truth, won't you?" + +Mr. Forbes spoke persuasively, and kindly. + +Alicia burst into a storm of tears and sobbed wildly. Bernice, her +face hidden in her handkerchief, was crying too. + +Dotty sat stiffly erect in her chair, her little hands clenched, her +big, black eyes staring at Mr. Forbes in a very concentration of +wrath. + +Dolly was limp and exhausted from weeping. + +With quivering lips and in a shaking voice, she said: + +"Maybe one of us is a kleptomaniac, then, after all." + +"Ah, a confession!" said Mr. Fenn, with his cynical little smile. "Go +on, Miss Fayre. Which one has the accumulating tendency?" + +"You do make me so mad!" exclaimed Dotty, glaring at him. "Uncle +Forbes, can't we talk with you alone?" + +"Oh, no, little miss," said Fenn, "Mr. Forbes is far too easy-going to +look after this affair by himself! He'd swallow all the stories you +girls would tell him! I'll remain, if you please. Unless you have +something to conceal, you can't object to my presence at this +interesting confab." + +Dolly came to Dotty's aid. She looked at the secretary with a glance +of supreme contempt. + +"It is of no consequence, Mr. Fenn," she said, haughtily, "whether you +are present or not. Uncle Forbes, I agree with Dotty. You said +yourself, you have an acquaintance who can't help taking treasures +that are not his own. It may be that one of us has done this. But, +even so, the jewel must be in the house. None of us has been out of +the house since we were in this room yesterday afternoon. So, if it is +in the house, it must be found." + +"Ha! You HAVE hidden it securely, to be willing to have a thorough +search of the house made!" and Fenn looked unpleasantly at her. "Own +up, Miss Fayre; it will save a lot of trouble for the rest of us." + +Dolly tried to look at the man with scorn, but her nerves gave way, +and again she broke down and cried softly, but with great, convulsive +sobs. + +Dotty was furious but she said nothing to Fenn for she knew she would +only get the worst of it. + +"Come now, Dolly," said Mr. Forbes, in a gentle way, "stop crying, my +dear, and let's talk this over. Where did you lay the earring when you +took it from your dress?" + +"On--on--the t-table," stammered Dolly, trying to stop crying. But, as +every one knows, it is not an easy thing to stem a flood of tears, and +Dolly couldn't speak clearly. + +"Yes; what table?" + +"This one," and Dotty spoke for her, and indicated the table by the +south window. + +"Where,--on the table?" persisted Uncle Jeff. + +Dolly got up and walked over to the light stand in question. + +"About here, I think," and she indicated a spot on the surface of the +dull finished wood. + +"Why didn't you hand it back to me?" queried Mr. Forbes, in a kind +tone. + +"I d-don't know, sir," Dolly sobbed again. "I'm sure I don't know why +I didn't." + +"I know," put in Dotty. "Because just then, Mr. Forbes showed us a +bracelet that had belonged to Cleopatra, and we all crowded round to +look at that, and Doll laid down the earring to take up the bracelet. +We didn't suppose we were going to be accused of stealing!" + +"Tut, tut," said Mr. Forbes. "Nobody has used that word! I don't +accuse you of anything,--except carelessness." + +"But when it comes to valuable antiques," interrupted Fenn, "it is +what is called criminal carelessness." + +"It WAS careless of Dolly to lay the earring down," said Mr. Forbes, +"but that is not the real point. After she laid it down, just where +she showed us, on that small table, somebody must have picked it up. +Her carelessness in laying it there might have resulted in its being +brushed off on the floor, but not in its utter disappearance." + +"Maybe it fell out of the window," suggested Bernice, suddenly, "that +window was open then, you know." + +Mr. Forbes waited over to the table. "No," he said, "this stand is +fully a foot from the window sill. It couldn't have been unknowingly +brushed as far as that." + +"Of course, it couldn't," said Fenn, impatiently. "You're making no +progress at all, Mr. Forbes." + +"Propose some plan, yourself, then," said Dotty, shortly; "you're so +smart, suppose you point your finger to the thief!" + +"I hope to do so, Miss Rose," and Fenn smirked in a most aggravating +way. "But I hesitate to accuse anyone before I am quite sure." + +"A wise hesitation!" retorted Dotty. "Stick to that, Mr. Fenn!" + +She turned her back on him, and putting her arm round Dolly, sat in +silent sympathy. + +Suddenly Bernice spoke. She was not crying now, on the contrary, she +was composed and quiet. + +"Uncle Jeff," she said, "this is a horrid thing that has happened. I +feel awfully sorry about it all, but especially because it is making +so much trouble for Dolly and Dotty, the two friends that I brought +here. Alicia and I belong here, in a way, but the others are our +guests, as well as your guests. It is up to us, to free them from all +suspicion in this thing and that can only be done by finding the +earring. I don't believe for one minute that any one of us four girls +had a hand, knowingly, in its disappearance, but if one of us did, she +must be shown up. I believe in fairness all round, and while I'm sure +the jewel slipped into some place, or under or behind something, yet +if it DIDN'T,--if somebody did,--well,--steal it! we must find out +who. I wouldn't be willing, even if you were, Uncle, to let the matter +drop. I want to know the solution of the mystery, and I'm going to +find it!" + +"Bravo! Bernie, girl," cried her uncle, "that's the talk! As I told +you I must know the truth of this thing,--never mind why, I MUST find +it out. But how?" + +"First," said Bernice, speaking very decidedly, but not looking toward +the other girls, "I think all our things ought to be searched." + +"Oh, pshaw, Bernie," said Alicia, "that would be silly! You know if +any of us wanted to hide that earring we wouldn't put it in among our +clothes." + +"Why not?" demanded Bernice. "I can't imagine any of us having it, but +if we have, it's by accident. Why, it might have caught in any of our +dresses or sashes, and be tucked away there yet." + +"That's so," and Dotty looked hopeful. "It could be, that as one of us +passed by the table, it got caught in our clothing. Anyway, we'll all +look." + +"But don't look in your own boxes," objected Fenn. "Every girl must +search another's belongings." + +"I wonder you'd trust us to do THAT!" snapped Dotty, and Fenn +immediately replied: + +"You're right! It wouldn't be safe! I propose that Mrs. Berry search +all your rooms." + +"Look here, Fenn, you are unduly suspicious," Mr. Forbes remonstrated, +mildly. + +"But, sir, do you want to get back your gem, or not? You asked for my +advice and help in this matter, now I must beg to be allowed to carry +out my plans of procedure." + +It was plain to be seen that Mr. Forbes was under the thumb of his +secretary. And this was true. Lewis Fenn had held his position for a +long time, and his services were invaluable to Jefferson Forbes. It +was necessary that the collector should have a reliable, responsible +and capable man to attend to the duties he required of a secretary, +and these attributes Fenn fully possessed. But he was of a small, +suspicious nature, and having decided on what course to pursue +regarding the lost curio, he was not to be swerved from his path. + +"Well, well, we will see," Mr. Forbes said, an anxious look wrinkling +his forehead as he looked at the girls. "Run away now, it's nearly +luncheon time. Don't worry over the thing. Each one of you knows her +own heart. If you are innocent, you've no call to worry. If you are +implicated, even in a small degree in the loss of my property, come to +me and tell me so. See me alone, if you like. I will hear your +confession, and if it seems wise, I will keep it confidential. I can't +promise this, for as I hinted, I have a very strong reason for probing +this affair to the very core. It is a mystery that MUST be cleared +up!" + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +AT THE TEA ROOM + + +The girls went to their rooms to tidy up for luncheon, though there +was some time before the meal would be announced. + +By common consent the door was closed between the rooms, and on one +side of it the two D's faced each other. + +"Did you ever see such a perfectly horrid, hateful, contemptible old +thing as that Fenn person?" exclaimed Dotty, her voice fairly shaken +with wrath. "I can't see how Mr. Forbes can bear to have him around! +He ought to be excommunicated, or whatever they do to terrible +people!" + +"He IS awful, Dotty, I don't wonder you gave it to him! But you +mustn't do it. He's Mr. Forbes' right hand man, and whatever Uncle +Jeff tells him to do, he'll do it. The idea of searching our trunks! I +won't allow them to touch mine, I can tell you that!" + +"Oh, Dolly, now don't be stubborn. Why, for you to refuse to let them +look over your things would be the same as saying you had the thing +hidden." + +"Dorothy Rose! What a thing to say to me!" + +"I'm not saying it to you! I mean, I am saying it to you, just to show +you what other people would say! You know it, Dolly. You know Fenn +would say you had the earring." + +"But, Dotty, it must be somewhere." + +"Of course, it must be somewhere,--look here, Dollyrinda, you don't +know anything about it, do you? Honest Injun?" + +"How you talk, Dot. How should I know anything about it?" + +"But do you?" + +"Don't be silly." + +"But, DO you?" + +"Dotty, I'll get mad at you, if you just sit there saying, 'But do +you?' like a talking machine! Are you going to change your dress for +luncheon?" + +"No, I'm not. These frocks are good enough. But, Dolly, DO you? do you +know anything, ANYTHING at all, about the earring?" + +Dolly was sitting on the edge of her little white bed. At Dotty's +reiteration of her query, Dolly threw her head down on the pillow and +hid her face. + +"Do you?" repeated Dotty, her voice now tinged with fear. + +Dolly sat upright and looked at her. "Don't ask me, Dotty," she said, +"I can't tell you." + +"Can't tell me," cried Dotty, in bewilderment, "then who on earth +COULD you tell, I'd like to know!" + +"I could tell mother! Oh, Dotty, I want to go home!" + +"Well, you can't go home, not till day after to-morrow, anyway. What's +the matter with you, Dolly, why can't you tell me what you know? How +can I find the thing, and clear you from suspicion if you have secrets +from me?" + +"You can't, Dotty. Don't try." + +Dolly spoke in a tense, strained way, as if trying to preserve her +calm. She sat down at their little dressing-table and began to brush +her hair. + +A tap came at the door, and in a moment, Bernice came in. + +"Let me come in and talk to you girls," she begged. "Alicia is in a +temper, and won't say anything except to snap out something +quarrelsome. What are we going to do?" + +"I don't know, Bernie," and Dotty looked as if at her wits' end. "It's +bad enough to put up with that old Fenn's hateful talk, but now +Dolly's gone queer, and you say Alicia has,--what ARE we to do?" + +"Let's talk it all over with Mrs. Berry at lunch, she's real sensible +and she's very kind-hearted." + +"Yes, she is. And there's the gong now. Come on, let's go down. Come +on, Dollikins, brace up, and look pretty! Heigho! come on, Alicia!" + +Alicia appeared, looking sullen rather than sad, and the quartette +went downstairs. + +Mrs. Berry listened with interest to their story. Interest that +quickly turned to deep concern as the story went on. + +"I don't like it," she said, as the girls paused to hear her comments. +"No carelessness or thoughtlessness could make that valuable earring +disappear off the face of the earth! I mean, it couldn't get LOST, it +must have been taken." + +"By us?" flared out Alicia. + +"Maybe not meaningly, maybe for a joke, maybe unconsciously; but it +was carried out of that room by some one, of that I'm certain." + +"The idea of thinking we'd do it as a joke!" cried Bernice. + +"But you told me about the joke Mr. Forbes played on you about the B. +C. image, why mightn't one of you have taken this to tease him? Oh, +girls, if any of you did,--give it back, I beg of you! Mr. Forbes is a +kind man, but a very just one. If you give it back at once, and +explain, he will forgive you, fully and freely. But if you delay too +long he will lose patience. And, too, you must know he wants to--" + +"Wants to what, Mrs. Berry?" asked Dotty, for the lady had stopped +speaking very suddenly. + +"Never mind. I forgot myself. But Mr. Forbes has a very strong reason +for wishing to sift this matter to the bottom. Don't, girls,--oh, +DON'T deceive him!" + +"What makes you think we're deceiving him?" cried Dotty. "That's the +way old Fenn talks! Isn't he a disagreeable man, Mrs. Berry?" + +"Mr. Fenn is peculiar," she admitted, "but it isn't nice for you to +criticise Mr. Forbes' secretary. He is a trusted employee, and of +great use in his various capacities." + +"But he was very rude to us," complained Alicia. "He was positively +insulting to Dolly and me." + +"Don't remember it," counselled Mrs. Berry. "The least you have to do +with him the better. Forget anything he may have said, and keep out of +his way all you can." + +Mr. Forbes' housekeeper was a tactful and peaceable woman, and she +well knew the temperament and disposition of the secretary. She +herself disliked him exceedingly, but it was part of her diplomacy to +avoid open encounter with him. And she deemed it best for the girls to +follow her course. + +"I think," she said finally, "the best thing for you to do, is to go +for a nice motor ride in the park. It is a lovely day, and the ride +will do you good and make you feel a heap better. Then on your return, +stop at a pretty tearoom, and have some cakes and chocolate, or ices; +and while you're gone, I'll have a little talk with Mr. Forbes, and, +who knows, maybe we might find the earring!" + +"You're going to search our boxes!" cried Alicia. "Well, I won't +submit to such an insult! I shall lock mine before I go out." + +"So shall I," declared Dolly. "I think we all ought to. Really, Mrs. +Berry, it's awful for you to do a thing like that!" + +"Mercy me! girls, how you do jump at conclusions! I never said a word +about searching your rooms. I had no thought of such a thing! You +mustn't condemn me unheard! You wouldn't like that, yourselves!" + +"Indeed, we wouldn't, Mrs. Berry," cried Dolly, smiling at her. "I +apologise for my burst of temper, I'm sure. But I hate to be +suspected." + +"Be careful, Dolly, not to be selfish. Others hate to be suspected +too--" + +"Yes, but _I_'m innocent!" cried Dolly, and as soon as she had spoken +she blushed fiery red, and her sweet face was covered with confusion. + +"Meaning somebody else ISN'T innocent!" spoke up Alicia; "who, +please?" + +"Me, probably," said Dotty, striving to turn the matter off with a +laugh. "Dolly and I always suspect each other on principle--" + +"Oh, pooh! This is no time to be funny!" and Alicia looked daggers at +the smiling Dotty. + +"You're right, Alicia, it isn't!" she flashed back, and then Mrs. +Berry's calm voice interrupted again. + +"Now, girlies, don't quarrel among yourselves. There's trouble enough +afoot, without your adding to it. Take my advice. Go and put on some +pretty dresses and then go for a ride, as I told you, and get your tea +at the 'Queen Titania' tearoom. It's just lately been opened, and it's +a most attractive place. But promise not to squabble. Indeed, I wish +you'd promise not to discuss this matter of the earring. But I suppose +that's too much to ask!" + +"Yes, indeed, Mrs. Berry," and Bernice smiled at her. "I'm sure we +couldn't keep that promise if we made it!" + +"Well, don't quarrel. It can't do any good. Run along now, and dress." + +The cheery good-nature of the housekeeper helped to raise the girls' +depressed spirits, and after they had changed into pretty afternoon +costumes and donned their coats and furs, they had at least, partially +forgotten their troubles of the morning. + +But not for long. As they sped along in the great, comfortable car, +each found her thoughts reverting to the sad episode, and oh, with +what varied feelings! + +Suddenly, Bernice broke out with a new theory. + +"I'll tell you what!" she exclaimed; "Uncle Jeff hid that thing +himself, to see how we would act! Then he pretended to suspect us! +That man is studying us! Oh, you needn't tell ME! I've noticed it ever +since we came. He watches everything we do, and when he says anything +especial, he looks closely, to see how we're going to take it." + +"I've noticed that, too," agreed Dolly. "But it's silly, Bernie, to +think he took his own jewel." + +"Just to test us, you know. I can't make out WHY he wants to study us +so, but maybe he's writing a book or something like that. Else why did +he want not only Alicia and me but two of our friends to come for this +visit? He studies us, not only as to our own characters, but the +effect we have on each other." + +Dotty looked at Bernice with interest. + +"You clever thing!" she cried; "I do believe you're right! I've caught +Uncle Forbes frequently looking at one or another of us with the most +quizzical expression and listening intently for our answers to some +question of right or wrong or our opinions about something." + +"I've noticed it," said Dolly, though in an indifferent tone, "but I +don't think he's studying us. I think he's so unused to young people +that everything we do seems strange to him. Why any of our fathers +would know what we're going to say before we say it. Mine would anyhow +and so would Dot's. But Mr. Forbes is surprised at anything we say or +do because he never saw girls at close range before. I think we +interest him just like his specimens do." + +"That's it," cried Dotty, "you've struck it, Doll. We're just +specimens to him. He's studying a new kind of creature! And, maybe he +did want to see what we'd do in given circumstances,--like an unjust +accusation, and so he arranged this tragic situation." + +"No," said Dolly, still in that unnerved, listless way, "no, that +won't do, Dotty. If it were true, he'd never let Mr. Fenn be so rude +to us. Why, this morning, I'm sure,--I KNOW,--Mr. Forbes was just as +uncertain of what had become of that earring as--as any of us were." + +"Well, have it your own way," and Dotty smiled good-naturedly at her +chum, "but here's my decision. That thing is lost. Somehow or other, +for some ridiculous reason, blame seems to be attached to my +Dollyrinda. I won't stand it! I hereby announce that I'm going to find +that missing gimcrack before I go back to my native heath,--if I have +to take all summer!" + +"Aren't you going home on Wednesday?" cried Dolly, looking aghast at +the idea. + +"Not unless that old thing is found! I'll telephone my dear parents +not to look for me until they see me. I'll hunt every nook and cranny +of Mr. Forbes' house, and when I get through, I'll hunt over again. +But find the thing, I will! So there, now!" + +"Why do you say Dolly is suspected?" asked Alicia. + +"Oh, you all know she is, just because she hooked the foolish thing +into her lace. She put it on the table after that, and every one of us +probably handled it, but no, it is laid to Dolly! Just because she's +the only one of us incapable of such a thing,--I guess!" + +"Why, Dot Rose, what a speech!" and Dolly almost laughed at the +belligerent Dotty. "None of us would take it wrongly, I'm sure--but--" + +"Well, but what?" demanded Alicia, as Dolly paused. + +"Oh, nothing, Alicia, but the same old arguments. Mistake,-- +unintentional,--caught in our dresses,--and all that." Dolly spoke +wearily, as if worn out with the subject. + +"Well, I've a new theory," said Dotty, "I believe that Fenn man stole +it!" + +The other three laughed, but Dotty went on. "Yes, I do. You see, he's +never had a chance to take any of the treasures before, 'cause Uncle +Forbes would know he was the thief. But now he has all us four to lay +it on, so he made the most of his chance." + +"Oh, Dotty, I can't believe it!" said Bernice. "He didn't act like a +thief this morning. He was more like an avenging justice." + +"That's just his smartness! Make it seem as if we did it, you know." + +"Nothing in it," and Dolly smiled at Dotty's theory. "He wasn't here +yesterday, at all. He didn't know that I hooked the old thing on my +waist,--oh, I WISH I hadn't done that!" + +"Never you mind, Dollums," Dotty said, endearingly. "If he did do it, +we'll track him down. Because, girls, I tell you I'm going to find +that earring. And what Dorothy Rose says, goes! See?" + +Dotty's brightness cheered up the others, and as they drove through +the park, there were many sights of interest, and after a time the +talk drifted from the subject that had so engrossed them. + +And when at last they stopped at the new tea room and went in, the +beauty and gaiety of the place made them almost forget their trouble. + +"I'll have cafe parfait," said Dotty, "with heaps of little fancy +cakes. We can't get real FANCY cakes in Berwick, and I do love 'em!" + +The others were of a like mind, and soon they were feasting on the +rich and delicate confections that the modern tea room delights to +provide. + +While they sat there, Muriel Brown came in, accompanied by two of her +girl friends. + +"Oh, mayn't we chum with you?" Muriel cried, and our four girls said +yes, delightedly. + +"How strange we should meet," said Dolly, but Muriel laughed and +responded, "Not so very, as I'm here about four or five days out of +the seven. I just simply love the waffles here, don't you?" + +And then the girls all laughed and chattered and the New Yorkers +invited the other four to several parties and small affairs. + +"New York is the most hospitable place I ever saw!" declared Dotty. +"We seem to be asked somewhere every day for a week." + +"Everybody's that," laughed Muriel. "But you must come to these things +we're asking you for, won't you?" + +"I don't believe we can promise," said Bernice, suddenly growing +serious. "You see, we may go home on Wednesday." + +"Day after to-morrow? Oh, impossible! Don't say the word!" And with a +laugh, Muriel dashed away the unwelcome thought. "I shall depend upon +you," she went on, "especially for the Friday party. That's one of the +best of all! You just MUST be at it!" + +"If we're here, we will," declared Alicia, carried away by the gay +insistence. "And I'm 'most sure Bernice and I will be here, even if +the others aren't." + +"I want you all," laughed Muriel, "but I'll take as many as I can +get." + +Then into the limousine again, and off for home. + +"Oh," cried Dolly, "that horrid business! I had almost forgotten it!" + +"We can't forget it till it's settled," said Dotty, and her lips came +tightly together with a grim expression that she showed only when +desperately in earnest. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +DOLLY'S RIDE + + +It was Tuesday morning that Lewis Fenn came to Dolly and asked her to +give him a few moments' chat. + +A little bewildered, Dolly followed Fenn into the reception room, and +they sat down, Fenn closing the door after them. + +"It's this way, Miss Fayre," he began. "I know you took the gold +earring. It's useless for you to deny it. It speaks for itself. You +are the only one of you girls especially interested in antiques, and +moreover, you are the one who handled the jewel last. Now, I don't for +a moment hold you guilty of stealing. I know that you thought the +thing of no very great intrinsic value, and as Mr. Forbes has so many +such things in his possession you thought one more or less couldn't +matter to him. So, overcome by your desire to keep it as a souvenir, +and because of its antique interest you involuntarily took it away +with you. Of course, searching your boxes is useless, for you have +concealed it some place in the house where no one would think of +looking. Now, I come to you as a friend, and advise you to own up. I +assure you, Mr. Forbes will forgive you and he will do so much more +readily if you go to him at once and confess." + +Dolly sat rigidly, through this long citation, her face growing +whiter, her eyes more and more frightened, as she listened. When Fenn +paused, she struggled to speak but couldn't utter a sound. She was +speechless with mingled emotions. She was angry, primarily, but other +thoughts rushed through her brain and she hesitated what attitude to +assume. + +The secretary looked at her curiously. + +"Well?" he said, and there was a threatening tone in his voice. + +Dolly looked at him, looked straight into his accusing eyes, began to +speak, and then, in a burst of tears, she cried out, "Oh, how I HATE +you!" + +Dotty flung open the door and walked in. + +"I've been listening," she announced, "listening at the keyhole, to +hear what you said to my friend! I heard, and I will answer you. Dolly +Fayre no more took that earring, than you did, Mr. Fenn, and I'm +inclined to think from your manner, that you stole it yourself!" + +"What!" shouted Fenn, surprised out of his usual calm. "What do you +mean, you little minx?" + +"Just what I say," repeated Dotty, but Dolly had already fled from the +room. She went in search of Mrs. Berry, and found her in her own +bedroom. + +"Please, Mrs. Berry," said Dolly, controlling her sob-shaken voice, "I +want to go out, all by myself, a little while. May I?" + +"Goodness, child, what do you mean? Where? I'll go with you." + +"No; I want to go alone. I have to think something out all by myself. +Nobody can help me, and if I'm here, all the girls will butt in and +bother me." + +"Where are you going? For a walk?" + +"No, please. I want to ride on the top of a Fifth Avenue stage. I want +to go alone, and then, sitting up there, with the fresh air blowing +around me, I can think something out. I may go, mayn't I, Mrs. Berry? +I know all about the stages." + +"Why, yes, child, of course, you can go, if you really want to. You +can't come to any harm just riding on top of a bus. Run along. But I'd +rather you'd let me help you. Or go with you." + +"No, please; I must be alone. I don't want even Dotty. I have +something very serious to decide. No one can help me. My mother could, +but she isn't here." + +"I wish you'd try me," and the kind lady smiled endearingly. + +"I would if I could, and you're a dear to ask me. But this is a +special matter, and it troubles me awfully. So, I'll go off by myself +for an hour or so, and when I come back, I'll be all decided about +it." + +Dolly got her hat and coat, without seeing the other girls at all. She +went out at the front door of the big Fifth Avenue house, and walked a +few blocks before she stopped to wait for a stage. + +"I don't care which way I go," she thought to herself, "I'll take the +first bus that comes along." + +The first one chanced to be going down-town, and signalling the +conductor, Dolly climbed the little winding stairs to the top. + +There were only half a dozen passengers up there, and Dolly sat down +near the front. + +It was a clear, crisp morning. The air was full of ozone, and no +sooner had Dolly settled herself into her seat, than she began to feel +better. Her mind cleared and she could combat the problems that were +troubling her. But she was in a dilemma. Should she go to Mr. Forbes +and tell him where the jewel was,--or, should she not? + +She wanted to be honest, she wanted to do right, but it would be a +hard task. The more she thought it over, the more she was perplexed, +and though her spirits were cheered by the pleasant ride, her troubles +were as far as ever from a solution. + +Down she went, down the beautiful Avenue, past the Sherman statue and +the Plaza fountain. On, past the Library, down through the shopping +district, and then Dolly concluded she would go on down to the +Washington Arch, and stay in the same bus for the return trip. + +But, before she realised it, she found the bus she was in had turned +East on Thirty-second Street, and was headed for the Railroad Station. +She started up, to get off the stage, but sat down again. + +"What's the use?" she thought. "I can just as well go on to the +station, and come back again. I only want the ride." + +So she went on, and at the station, she was asked to take another +stage. Down the stairs she climbed, and as she glanced at the great +colonnade of the building she realised that from there trains went +home! Home,--where mother was! + +Unable to resist, Dolly obeyed an impulse to enter the station. + +The warm, pleasant atmosphere of the arcade, soothed her nerves, and +she walked along, thinking deeply. + +She came to the stairs that led down to the waiting rooms, and a great +wave of homesickness came over her. + +She would go home! She had money with her, she would buy a ticket, and +go straight to Berwick! She couldn't, she simply COULD NOT face Uncle +Jeff and the girls, with her secret untold, and she would not tell it! + +Anyway, she couldn't go back to the house where that horrid Fenn was! +That was certain. + +She looked in her pocket-book, and tucked away in its folds was the +return half of her Berwick ticket! She had forgotten that she had it +with her. It seemed a finger of Fate pointing the way. + +"I will," she decided. "I will go back to Berwick. I'll ask about the +trains." + +Inquiry at the Information Department told her that there would be a +train for Berwick in half an hour, and Dolly went in and sat down in +the waiting room. + +Suddenly it struck her that the people at Mr. Forbes' would be alarmed +at her non-appearance, and would be very anxious for her safety. + +That would never do. She had no wish to disturb kind Mrs. Berry or to +scare Dotty half to death. + +She saw the telephone booths near by, and realised how easy it would +be to communicate with the house. + +She asked the operator for the number of Jefferson Forbes' residence +and in a moment was in the booth. + +The butler responded to her call, and Dolly did not ask for any one +else. + +"That you, McPherson?" she said, speaking as casually as she could. + +"Yes, Miss Fayre. Will you speak with Mrs. Berry?" + +"No; I'll give you a message. Please say to Miss Rose that I have gone +to Berwick." + +"To Berwick, miss?" + +"Yes; and tell Mrs. Berry the same. That's all, McPherson; no message +for any one else." + +"Yes, Miss Fayre. When will you be back, Miss Fayre?" + +"Not at all. Or, that is,--never mind that. Just say I have gone to +Berwick. I'll write to Miss Rose as soon as I get there." + +"Yes, Miss Fayre," and the butler hung up his receiver. It was not his +business if the ladies came or went. + +In obedience to orders, McPherson went to Mrs. Berry and delivered the +message. + +"The dear child," said the housekeeper, and the tears came to her +eyes. Of course, she knew about the earring episode, and until now she +hadn't suspected that Dolly really took it. But to run away +practically proved her guilt. So she had meant to go when she asked +permission to go on the bus! Mrs. Berry's heart was torn, for she +loved Dolly best of the four, and it was a blow to be thus forced to +believe her guilty. She quizzed the butler, but he had no further +information to give. + +"She only said she was going, ma'am, and said for me to tell you and +Miss Rose. That's all." + +"I will tell Miss Rose," said Mrs. Berry, and dismissed the man. + +She thought deeply before going to find Dotty. She wondered if she +might yet stay Dolly's flight and persuade her to return. She looked +up a timetable, and found that the train for Berwick would leave in +ten minutes. Doubtless Dolly was already in the car. + +However, being a woman of energetic nature, Mrs. Berry telephoned to +the Railroad Station. She asked for a porter, and begged him to try to +find Dolly, whom she described, and ask her to come to the telephone. + +"I remember seeing that girl," said the negro porter. "She was walking +around sort of sad-like, and sort of uncertain. But I don't see her +now." + +"Look on the Berwick train," commanded Mrs. Berry, "and do it quickly. +If she's on the train, ask her to get off and answer my call. I think +she'll do it. Go quickly! I'll hold the wire." + +But it was within a few minutes of starting time; the train was +crowded, and after a short search the porter came back with the word +that he couldn't find her. "I could of," he said, "if I'd 'a' had a +minute more. But the Train Despatcher put me off, and they started. +Sorry, ma'am." + +"I'm sorry, too," and Mrs. Berry sighed as she realised how near she +had come to success, only to fail. + +She thought a few moments longer, then she went to find Dotty. + +That young person, she discovered, to her astonishment, was up in Mr. +Forbes' own study, on the fourth floor. Dotty had insisted on an +interview with her host after the stormy time she had with his +secretary. + +Mr. Forbes had received her, not at all unwillingly, for he wanted to +get at the truth of the unpleasant matter. + +"Dolly never took it!" Mrs. Berry heard Dotty, declare, as she +approached the door. "Either it's just lost, or else Mr. Fenn stole +it,--or else--" + +"Or else what?" asked Mr. Forbes, as Dotty paused. + +"I don't like to say," and Dotty twisted her finger nervously; "I do +suspect somebody,--at least, I fear maybe I do, a little bit, but I +won't say anything about it, unless you keep on blaming Dolly. Then I +will!" + +"I have something to tell you," said Mrs. Berry, entering. "Dolly has +gone home." + +"What!" cried Mr. Forbes and Dotty simultaneously. Lewis Fenn smiled. + +"Yes," continued Mrs. Berry, "she has gone home to Berwick. She came +to me and asked if she might go for a ride on top of a Fifth Avenue +stage, to think things out by herself,--she said. Then, a little +later, she telephoned from the Pennsylvania Station that she was just +taking the train for Berwick." + +"I don't believe it!" cried Dotty. "Who told you?" + +"McPherson. He took the message. Dolly said to tell you, Dotty, and to +tell me, but she sent no word to any one else." + +"Looks bad," said Mr. Forbes, shaking his head. + +"I told you so!" said Lewis Fenn, nodding his. "I knew when I flatly +accused Miss Fayre this morning of taking the earring, that she was +the guilty one. Understand me, she didn't mean to steal. She didn't +look upon it as theft. She only took a fancy to the bauble, and +appropriated it without really thinking it wrong. As a child would +take a worthless little trinket, you know." + +Dotty looked stunned. She paid no attention to Fenn's talk; she stared +at Mrs. Berry, saying, "Has she really gone?" + +"Yes, dear," answered the sympathetic lady, "she has. Perhaps it's the +best thing. She'll tell her mother all about it, and then we'll know +the truth." + +"Yes, she'll confess to her mother," said Fenn, and he grinned in +satisfaction. + +"Shut up, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes. "I'm not at all sure Dolly is the +culprit. If I know that girl, she wouldn't run away if she were +guilty,--but she might if she were unjustly accused." + +"That's generous of you, sir," said the secretary, "but you know +yourself that when I taxed Miss Fayre definitely with the deed, she +immediately went off, pretending that she was just going for a ride, +and would return. That piece of deception doesn't look like innocence, +I think you must admit!" + +"No, no, it doesn't. Dotty, did you say you had some other suspicion? +What is it?" + +"I can't tell it now. I can't understand Dolly. I know, oh, I KNOW she +never took the earring, but I can't understand her going off like +that. She never pretends. She's never deceitful--" + +"She surely was this time," and Fenn seemed to exult in the fact. + +"Maybe she changed her plan after she started," suggested Dotty +delorously. + +"Not likely," mused Mr. Forbes. "It was unprecedented for her to go +alone for a bus ride, but if it was because she wanted to get off home +secretly, it is, of course, very plausible. She didn't want any of you +girls to know she was going, lest you persuade her not to. She didn't +want to go in my car alone, as that would seem strange. But to take a +bus, that was really a clever way to escape unnoticed!" + +"I'm surprised that she telephoned back at all," said Mr. Fenn. + +"Of course, she would!" said Dotty, indignantly. "She didn't want us +to think she was lost or worry about her safety." + +"She was most considerate," said Fenn, sarcastically. + +"Oh, stop!" cried Dotty, at the very end of her patience with the man. +"You're enough to drive any one distracted!" + +"Let the child alone, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes; "your manner IS +irritating." + +"The whole affair is irritating," returned the secretary, "but it is +now in a way to be cleared up, I think. We shall hear from Miss +Fayre's parents, I'm sure." + +"What IS going on?" spoke up Alicia from the doorway, and she and +Bernice came into the room. "I know we're forbidden up here, but +Dotty's here, so we came, too. What's the matter?" + +"Dolly's gone home," said Mr. Forbes, looking at his nieces. + +"Dolly has!" exclaimed Bernice. "What for?" + +"Because she was persecuted!" Dotty replied, "and unjustly accused, +and suspected, and her life made generally miserable! I don't blame +her for going home! I'm going, too." + +"When did she go? Who took her?" Alicia asked. + +"She went alone," said Mrs. Berry, and she gave them the details of +Dolly's departure. + +"Well, I am surprised," said Bernice, but Alicia began to cry softly. + +"Yes, cry, Alicia!" said Dotty, turning on her. + +"I should think you WOULD! YOU made Dolly go! YOU know where that +earring thing is!" + +"I do not!" and Alicia stared at Dotty. + +"Well, you know something more than you've told!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +WAS IT ALICIA? + + +"What do you mean by that speech Dotty?" asked Bernice, as Alicia kept +on crying. + +"I mean just what I say. Alicia knows where the earring is, or, if she +doesn't know that, she knows something about it that she won't tell +us." + +"What is it, Alicia?" said her uncle, kindly. "If you know anything at +all, tell us, won't you?" + +"I don't, Uncle. I don't know ANYTHING about it!" and Alicia wept more +than ever. + +"Well, the thing to do is to find it," said Fenn gazing closely at +Alicia. "Where we find it will disclose who took it." + +"I agree with you, Mr. Fenn," said a voice from the doorway, and there +stood Dolly Fayre! + +"Oh," cried Dotty, "I knew you wouldn't run away!" + +"I did," returned Dolly, looking very sober. "I couldn't stand things +here, and I was tempted to go home." + +"Did you start out with that idea?" asked Dotty. + +"No; never thought of such a thing when I went out. But I took a bus +that turned around and went to the station, so that made me think of +Berwick and I got homesick for mother, and I just couldn't help +wanting to go to her. And I telephoned back here that I was going. +Then, I had no sooner done that, than it seemed to me a cowardly thing +to do, after all, and I changed my mind quick and came right back +here. I rode up on top of a stage, and the trip in this lovely bright +air made me feel a heap better. Now then, I want to say, once for all, +that I didn't take that earring, but I'm going to find out who DID, +and also I'm going to find the jewel. I don't know which I'll find +first, but one means the other." + +"Just what I said, Miss Fayre," exclaimed Fenn. "I'll join forces with +you, and we'll see about this thing. We'll find the missing jewel and +we'll find out who took it, but we'll have to put up a search." + +"All my things are at your disposal," said Dolly; "look through all my +cupboards and bureau drawers as you like. I'm not afraid." + +"Of course not," said Fenn, "after your absence this morning! You had +a fine opportunity to dispose of the jewel!" + +"How dare you!" cried Dolly, turning white with rage. "I have told you +truthfully where I went and why." + +"Let her alone, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes, sharply. "You talk too much. +Run along now, girls; we'll let the matter rest for to-day. I'll +consult with Mr. Fenn, and I don't think we'll search your belongings. +I can't think any one of you has intentionally concealed the jewel. +It's lost but not stolen, that's what I think." + +"You dear old thing!" and Bernice impulsively threw her arms around +her uncle's neck. "I think you're right. But it must be found!" + +"It must be found!" repeated Dolly. "Otherwise suspicion will always +rest on me." + +"Not on you any more than the rest of us," declared Dotty, "but +there's no use in hunting any more in this room. It simply isn't +here." + +They had searched the room in which the jewel had been kept, +thoroughly and repeatedly. So the girls went off to their own rooms to +talk it all over again. + +"You're too hard on them, Fenn," said Mr. Forbes to his secretary, +when they were alone. + +"But it's a clear case, sir. That Fayre girl took it. She got scared +and tried to run home, then decided it would be better to face the +music, so she returned. She's the one, of course. She adores those old +trinkets; the others don't care two cents for them. She put it on her +dress,--probably she took it off again, but after that the temptation +to possess the thing was too strong for her. She thought you'd not +miss it, and she carried it off. Then, when she was out this morning, +she either threw it away, or secreted it somewhere. Perhaps she took +it to some friend for safe keeping." + +"I don't believe it, Fenn. I've studied the four girls pretty closely +and Dolly Fayre is, I think, the most frank and honest and +conscientious of them all. Why, I'd suspect either of my own nieces +before I Would Dolly." + +"You're generous, sir. But you're mistaken. Miss Fayre is the culprit, +and we'll fasten the theft on her yet." + +"I hope not,--I sincerely hope not. But it's a queer business, Fenn, a +very queer business." + +"It's all of that, Mr. Forbes, but we'll get at the truth of it yet." + +Meantime the four girls were talking over the matter. But not all +together. The two D's, in their own room, and the other two girls in +theirs were having separate confabs. + +"Now, Dolly Fayre," Dotty was saying, "you tell me EVERYTHING you know +about this thing! I don't want any holding back or concealing of any +suspicions or doubts you may have." + +"It isn't really a suspicion, Dotty, but I--will tell you. It's only +that just as we left the room, the museum room I call it, yesterday +afternoon, we were all out, and Alicia ran back. She said she had left +her handkerchief on the table. And she went straight to that very +table where I had laid the earring. Now, I can't suspect Alicia, but +that's what she did." + +"Well, Dolly," and Dotty looked thoughtful, "that's enough to cast +suspicion on her. She went to that very table?" + +"Yes. Of course, I didn't think anything about it at the time, but now +I remember it distinctly. That's why I wanted to go home and tell +Mother all about it, and ask her if I ought to tell Mr. Forbes about +Alicia." + +"I see. I don't know myself what you ought to do. I've been thinking +it might be Alicia all the time. I hate to suspect her, as much as you +do. But if she ran back, and went to that table, and then the jewel +that laid there was gone, it certainly looks queer. Decidedly queer." + +"Well, what shall I do?" + +"I suppose you'll have to keep still, unless you're actually accused +of taking it. You can't very well tell on Alicia." + +"That's what I think." + +"But if they really accuse you,--and Mr. Fenn has already done so." + +"Oh, Fenn! I don't care what he says. If Mr. Forbes doesn't think I +took it, I don't want to say anything about Alicia." + +"Well, let's wait and see. After what you've just told me, I think she +did take it. But I don't WANT to think that." + +Now, in the next room, Alicia and Bernice were talking confidentially +and in low tones. + +"Of course, Dolly must have taken it," Alicia said, slowly. + +"I can't believe that," said Bernice. "I know Dolly Fayre awfully +well, and I just about 'most KNOW she couldn't do such a thing." + +"I daresay she never was tempted before. You can't tell what you may +do until there's a sudden temptation. She might have thought it was no +harm, when Uncle Jeff has so many of such trinkets. She might have +thought he'd never miss it--" + +"No," dissented Bernice. "Dolly never thought out those things. If she +did take it, it was just on the spur of the moment, and, as you say, +because of a sudden irresistible temptation. And the minute after she +was doubtless sorry, but then she was ashamed to confess or return +it." + + It was luncheon time then, and the girls went downstairs together, +with no disclosures of their suspicions of each other. + +At the luncheon table the subject was freely discussed. + +Dolly explained to Mrs. Berry that, after she had telephoned she was +going home, she felt that it was a cowardly thing to do, and that she +ought to remain and see the matter through. + +"You see," Dolly said, smiling, "it was a sudden temptation, when I +got to the station, to go home. Just the sight of the ticket office, +and the train gates, gave me a wave of homesickness and I wanted to +see Mother so terribly, that I thought I'd just go. But as soon as I'd +telephoned, I realised that I oughtn't to do it, so I came right back +here. I didn't telephone I'd changed my mind, for I thought I'd be +here so soon. Mrs. Berry, what do you think became of the earring?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure, my dear. I don't think I could ever believe +that any one of you girls took it with any wrong intent. Did one of +you just borrow it? To study it as a curio or anything like that?" + +"No!" cried Bernice. "That's absurd. If I'd wanted to do that I should +have asked Uncle's permission." + +"Of course you would," and good Mrs. Berry sighed at the undoubted +fallacy of her theory. + +It was during luncheon that the telephone bell rang, and Geordie Knapp +invited the girls to a matinee at the Hippodrome. + +"They must come," he said to Mrs. Berry, who had answered his call. +"Please let them. It's a big party. We've three boxes; my mother is +going with us, and all the rest are young people. I know your girls +will like it." + +"Of course they will," Mrs. Berry replied. "I'll be glad to have them +go. Wait; I'll ask them." + +The invitation was heard with delight, and Bernice answered Geordie +for the others that they'd all be glad to go. + +"Good!" cried Geordie. "We'll call for you in our big car. Be ready on +time." + +They promised and hastened through luncheon to go to dress. + +"I'm glad you're going," kind Mrs. Berry said; "it'll take your minds +off this old earring business. Have a real good time, and don't even +think of anything unpleasant." + +So the girls started off in gay spirits, resolved not to worry over +the lost jewel. + +During the intermission at the matinee Dotty chanced to be talking to +Geordie alone, and she told him about the mystery, and asked him what +he thought. The boy was greatly interested, and asked for all the +details. So Dotty told him all, even of Dolly's seeing Alicia return +to the room and go to the table by the window. + +"Jiminy crickets!" said Geordie, "that looks bad! But I can't believe +Alicia would take it, nor any of you others. Let me talk to Alicia; I +won't accuse her, you know, but maybe I can gather something from the +way she talks." + +So by changing of seats Geordie found opportunity to talk to Alicia +about the matter. To his surprise, she willingly discussed it, and, +moreover, she made no secret of the fact that she suspected Dolly of +taking it. She said she felt sure that Dolly did it, meaning no great +harm, but probably being over-tempted. "Why," said Alicia, "she said +only at luncheon that when she was at the Railroad Station she was so +tempted to go home to her mother that she very nearly went. So, you +see, she is given to sudden temptations and I suppose she can't always +resist them." + +Geordie considered. "I don't believe she took it, Alicia," he said; +"either it's slipped behind something, or else somebody else got in +and took it. It never was one of you four girls! I'm SURE it wasn't If +I could be over there for an hour or so, I'll bet I could find it. I'm +pretty good at such things. S'pose I go home with you after the show; +may I?" + +"Oh, I wish you would! If you could find that thing, you would be a +joy and a blessing!" + +And so, after the performance was over, Geordie Knapp and Ted Hosmer +both went to Mr. Forbes' house with the four girls. + +Alicia asked her uncle's permission for them all to go up to the +museum rooms, and he gave it. He was not entirely willing, for he +rarely allowed visitors to his collections, but Alicia coaxed until he +gave in. + +"It can't be that Alicia took it," Dotty whispered to Dolly, "for she +is so willing to have Geordie investigate." + +Ted Hosmer was as anxious as Geordie to hunt for the earring, but when +he reached the rooms of the collections he was so interested in +looking at the specimens that he nearly forgot what they came for. + +"Look at the birds!" he cried, as they passed through the Natural +History room on the way to the antiques. + +"You like birds?" asked Dolly, as she saw his eyes brighten at the +sights all round him. "Yes, indeed! I've a small collection myself, +but nothing like this! I study about birds every chance I get. Oh, see +the humming birds! Aren't they beautiful?" + +But Dolly persuaded him to leave the birds and butterflies and go on +to the antique room. + +Here the girls told their two visitors all about the earring and its +disappearance. Mr. Fenn was not present, for which Dolly was deeply +grateful. + +Mr. Forbes watched the two boys quizzically. Then he said, + +"Go to it, Geordie. Do a little detective work. If any of my four +visitors took it, make them own up. I won't scold them; I'm anxious +only to know which one it was." + +"You don't really think it was any of them, I know, Mr. Forbes, or you +wouldn't speak like that," said Ted. "I know you think as I do, that +some queer mischance or accident is responsible for the disappearance. +But WHAT was that accident, and WHERE is the jewel?" + +The two boys searched methodically. They did not look into cupboards +or drawers; they asked questions and tried to think out some theory. + +"Could any one have come in at the window?" asked Ted. + +"No chance of that," said Mr. Forbes, "considering the window is in +the fourth story, and no balcony, or any way of reaching it from the +ground." + +Geordie stuck his head out of the window in question. + +"Who lives next door?" he said, looking across the narrow yard to the +next house. + +"People named Mortimer," replied Mr. Forbes. "But they're all away +from home. They're somewhere down South." + +"There's somebody over there. I see a light in one of the rooms." + +"A caretaker, maybe. But don't be absurd. It's all of ten or twelve +feet across to that house from our back extension to theirs. Are you +thinking somebody could spring across, take the jewel and spring back +again?" + +"That ISN'T very likely, is it?" Ted laughed, "but there's some +explanation, somewhere," and the boy shook his head. "You see, Mr. +Forbes, somebody might have made entrance to this room after the girls +left it Sunday afternoon, and before you discovered your loss." + +"Somebody might," agreed Mr. Forbes, "but I can't quite see how. +Surely no intruder came up by way of the stairs; I can't believe any +one came in by the window, and what other way is there?" + +"Suppose," said Geordie, earnestly, "suppose the caretaker, or whoever +is next door, saw you people examining the earring by the light from +the window,--you were by the window, weren't you?" + +"Yes," said Dolly, to whom he had put the question. "Yes, it was +growing dusk, and I stepped to the window to look at the gold work." + +"Well, suppose this caretaker person saw you, and realised the jewel +was valuable. Then suppose after you all went out and left the earring +on this little table, which is only ten or twelve inches from the +window, suppose the caretaker leaned out of his window, and, with a +long pole, with a hook on the end, fished the thing over to himself." + +"Ridiculous!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Nobody could do such a thing as that! +Absurd, my boy! Why, even a long fishpole would scarcely be long +enough, and he couldn't get purchase enough on the end--" + +"I admit it sounds difficult, sir, but they do pretty clever things +that way." + +"And, too, I can't suspect my neighbour's servants! Why, I've not the +slightest cause for such suspicion!" + +"Oh, no, I can't think it's that way, either," said Dolly. "Why, that +caretaker is a nice old man. I've heard Mrs. Berry tell about him. His +room is just opposite hers, two floors beneath this very room we're in +now. He has a parrot that chatters and annoys Mrs. Berry, but the old +man is honest, I'm sure. And he's too old to be agile enough to do +such an acrobatic thing as you suggest." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +A CLEVER IDEA + + +Ted Hosmer looked at Dolly as she spoke, and a sudden light came into +his eyes. + +"By Jiminy!" he said, and he drew a sharp little whistle. "I say, +Dolly, where is your Mrs. Berry?" + +"Oh, no, Ted," Dolly laughed, "you can't connect Mrs. Berry with this +matter any more than you can the Mortimers' servants. Mrs. Berry +didn't do it." + +"I didn't say she did," returned Ted, smiling at her. "But where is +she, that's all." + +"I don't know. Probably in her room." + +"Take me there, will you? I must see her at once. Why, I've got an +idea!" + +"Goodness, Ted!" exclaimed Geordie. "What a strange piece of news!" + +"Don't be funny!" said Ted; "I say, Dolly, take me to speak to Mrs. +Berry, won't you?" + +"Why, of course, if you like,--come on." + +Dolly led the way and Ted followed. The others paid little attention, +for Geordie was thinking out a new theory of how somebody could get +across from the next house, by means of scuttles to the roofs on the +front part of the houses. Of course, in front the houses were +attached, but the back extensions were only one room wide, thus giving +ground space for tiny back yards. + +A tap on Mrs. Berry's door was answered, and the two were admitted. + +"What is it?" and the housekeeper looked a little surprised at her +visitors. + +"May we look out of your window?" asked Ted, politely. + +"Surely," was the reply. "But what for?" + +Ted, however, already had raised the window and was looking out. It +was dark, or nearly, and the house next door showed a dim light in the +room opposite the one they were in. + +The shade was down at the window, so they saw nothing of the room but +a few indistinct shadows. + +"Tell us something about the old caretaker next door, won't you?" +begged Ted, and Mrs. Berry responded: "Now, don't suspect him! Why, +old Joe is the most honest man in the city! I've known him for years, +and I'm sure he wouldn't steal a pin! Mr. Mortimer trusts him +absolutely." + +"But tell us a little about him." + +"There's nothing to tell, only that he stays there alone when the +family go away. He lives, practically, in the two rooms; that room +opposite and the kitchen. He has no company but his parrot; he makes a +great pet of that." + +"A nice Polly?" + +"A handsome bird, yes. But a nuisance with its continual squawking and +chattering." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Berry; I believe that's all. Pardon our intrusion. +We'll go now. Come along, Dolly." + +Dolly followed Ted from the room, and he said, "Don't go back upstairs +yet. Come along with me." + +"Where?" + +"Never mind. Come on," and, making a gesture for her to be silent, Ted +piloted her down the main staircase and out of the front door. + +"Gracious! I won't go another step till you tell me where we're +going!" + +"Of course I'll tell you. We're going next door. Come on; you don't +need wraps; it's just a step." + +Taking her hand, Ted led her down the Forbes' steps and up those of +the house next door. He rang the bell and they waited. In a moment, +shuffling steps were heard and an old man opened the door. + +"That you, Joe?" said Ted, pleasantly. "Let us come in for a moment, +please." + +"I don't know you, young sir, but if I'm not mistaken, this is one of +the little ladies from next door." + +"Quite right. We intend no harm, I assure you. Let us come in for a +minute or two." + +The old man let them enter and closed the door behind them. + +"How's your parrot?" asked Ted, conversationally. + +Old Joe looked surprised, but he answered courteously, "Polly is well, +as usual." + +"What kind of a bird is he?" + +"A parrot, sir." + +"I don't mean that. Is he honest or--or gives to thievery?" + +"Oh, sir, he's the thievingest beast in the world, that he is! I don't +dare leave a thing around I'm not willing for him to take if he wants +it." + +"Yes, just so. And does he ever go out of this house?" + +"No,--oh, no." + +Ted's face fell. Dolly's, too, for she began to see what Ted had in +mind. But if Polly never left the Mortimer house, surely he didn't fly +over and steal the earring. + +"Could I go up to the room where the bird is?" said Ted, trying to +conceal his disappointment at the collapse of his theory. + +"Yes, sir, if you like, or I'll bring the bird down here." + +"We'll go up, please," and Dolly and Ted followed the old man to the +room on the second floor, which was opposite Mrs. Berry's. + +They looked in and saw the bird in his cage, hanging from a bracket +near the window. + +"Pretty Polly," said Ted, walking toward the cage. "Nice Polly. Polly +want a cracker?" + +The bird cocked his head on one side, but said nothing. + +"And you're sure he never leaves his cage?" said Ted, examining the +fastening on the cage door. + +"Well, sir, he does leave his cage. I said he doesn't leave this +house. That is,--not often. So seldom as to call it never." + +"What do you mean by that?" + +"Well, a few days ago,--I'm thinking it was Sunday,--the bird let +himself out of his cage. The latch broke, do you see, and he could +push the door open with his claw. I came into the room, and there he +was stalking up and down the floor with a knowing look. I soon found +how he got out of the cage and I fixed the latch so he can't do it +again. I let him out often, but I'm not going to have him letting +himself out." + +"Sunday, was it?" and Dolly's eyes brightened as Ted went on with his +questions. "And you weren't here when he got out of his cage?" + +"No, sir. But I came in soon and he was marching along the floor, +winking at me." + +"And was the window open?" + +Old Joe stopped to think. "No," he said, finally, and Dolly gave a +sigh of despair. If the window had been open, there was a possibility +that Polly had been the thief. + +"Can he fly?" she put in. + +"Fly? Yes, that he can. That's why I'm careful to keep him shut up +here. I wouldn't like him to fly over and annoy Mrs. Berry. He did +that once a year ago, and the lady was right down mad about it." + +"Think again, Joe. Couldn't this window have been open Sunday, when +Polly got out of his cage?" + +"Well, now, I do believe it was! Wasn't Sunday that warm, pleasant +day? Yes? Well, then, come to think of it, this here window WAS open! +My! it was a good thing Mr. Polly didn't walk out of it!" + +"But that's just what he did do,--I believe!" + +"What, sir? What do you mean?" + +"Well, I'll tell you. A small article has disappeared from the house +next door, from a room on this side, just above Mrs. Berry's room. +It's a hard matter to find out what became of the thing, a small +trinket of jewellery, and I'm in hopes that your bird flew over and +took it, because that will let out certain very much worried human +beings!" + +"Oh, I can't think Polly did that!" + +"Can he fly as far as to go up to that window two stories higher than +this? You say he can fly, but would he be likely to fly UP?" + +"If so be that window was open he might. He's a born thief, that bird +is. But in that case, what did he do with it? A jewel, you say?" + +"Yes, an old, very old earring." + +"Ah!" and Joe started; "of fine work, but all broken and bent?" + +"I don't know. How about that, Dolly?" + +"It was old, and it was fine gold work. But it wasn't bent or broken." + +"Then it's not the same," said Joe. "Polly has a lot of playthings, +and some old imitation jewellery that Mrs. Mortimer lets him have +because he loves such things. And it was Monday, yes, yesterday, he +had an old piece of stuff that I didn't remember seeing before, but I +paid little attention to it. And it was that bent and twisted it can't +have been the thing you're searching for. No, that it couldn't." + +"I suppose not," said Ted, but Dolly said, "Let us see it, anyway, +can't you? Maybe Polly bent it up himself." + +Old Joe went and searched through a lot of broken bits of metal +tilings in a box on the table. + +"Here it is," he said. "You see how it's worn out!" + +"That's it!" cried Dolly. "Oh, Ted, THAT'S the earring! Hooray!" + +"Is it? Hooray!" shouted Ted. "REALLY, oh, it's too good to be true! +Polly MUST have taken it, Joe." + +"Yes, he must have done so, if Miss, here, says it's the one. But let +me figger it out. I s'pose when Polly opened his cage door, the open +window attracted him, and he flew out. Then as the other windows in +the Forbes house were closed, he made for that one that was open. Was +nobody in the room?" + +"No," said Dolly, "not when the jewel was taken. I left it on a table, +near the window, and--" + +"Yes, Miss, I see! Polly was tempted by the glittering thing; he loves +glitter, and he snatched it up and flew right back home with it. He +hid it somewhere; that's his thievish nature, and when I came in here +he was walking up and down the floor as innocent appearin' as a lamb! +Oh, you wicked Polly!" + +"Wick-ed Polly!" screeched the bird. "Naughty Polly!" + +"Yes, very naughty Polly!" said Ted. "But a good Polly, after all, to +get us out of our troubles!" + +"Then, you see," continued Old Joe, "that villainous bird, he hid his +treasure, and when I let him out yesterday, just to fly around the +room, he found it out again, and he hent and broke it all up." + +"Well, never mind!" Dolly cried, "as long as we have it! Oh, Ted, how +clever of you to think of it! I'm so glad! Come, let's hurry home and +tell about it! My, won't they all rejoice!" + +"Shall I go over and make my apologies to Mr. Forbes?" asked Joe, +anxiously. + +"No; at least, not now. Mr. Forbes won't hold you at all to blame. It +was merely coincidence that the bird happened to get out of his cage, +just when the jewel lay there unprotected," said Ted. + +"And, he'd taken something else if he hadn't found that. Anything +glittering or sparkling catches his eye, and he steals it. But 'tis +seldom he gets a chance outside the house." + +"Why do you keep such a bird?" asked Dolly. + +"He isn't mine. I wouldn't care to have him. He belongs to Mrs. +Mortimer, and she only laughs at his thievin' traits. She thinks +they're cunning. So, I must needs take good care of him. 'Twas +careless of me to leave the window open, and him here alone. But I +didn't think he could break loose from his cage. I'm thinkin' the door +was ajar." + +"Well, we're much obliged to you and to Polly. Oh, just think if you +hadn't reasoned it out, Ted, we never would have known the truth! You +see, Joe thought the earring was one of Polly's own belongings, so, of +course, he never would have paid any attention to it." + +"That I wouldn't, Miss. I supposed it was some of the trinkets the +missus gave him. She buys 'em for him at the five-and-ten. He breaks +'em as fast as he gets 'em!" + +"I hope this can be straightened out, and I think it can," said Dolly, +as she looked at the bent gold work. + +"I'm sure it can," agreed Ted, "but anyway, it solves the mystery and +clears you girls! Hooray! Hurroo!! Come on, let's go and tell them +all." + +The two dashed into the Forbes house next door, and found the rest of +them down in the drawing room, wondering what had become of Dolly and +Ted. + +With a beaming face and dancing eyes, Dolly went straight to Mr. +Forbes and dangled the bent and twisted earring before his surprised +countenance. + +"Bless my soul!" he cried, as he saw it. "Did you--where did you find +it?" + +Dolly realised that he had been about to say, "Did you decide to own +up?" or something like that, and she was glad that he changed his +sentence. + +"Next door!" she exclaimed, for Ted stood back and let her have the +pleasure of telling. "That old parrot came and stole it!" + +"Oh! the parrot!" cried Mr. Forbes. "Why, of course! I see it all! Why +didn't _I_ think of that? Once before, I saw that bird light on my +window sill and I shooed him off. Strange I didn't think of that +solution!" + +"Tell us more!" cried Dotty; "who thought of a parrot? Whose parrot is +it? How did he get in? When?" + +"Wait a minute, Dot," said Dolly, laughing, "and I'll tell you all +about it. You tell some, Ted, I'm all out of breath!" + +So Ted told the whole story of their visit to the next house. + +"And I thought it was n. g. when the old chap said the window in his +room wasn't open. Also, when he said the bird never left that house, I +thought again we were off the track. But when we went on to discuss +the matter, and he said the bird was a born thief, and also he finally +remembered that his window was open on Sunday afternoon, why I felt +sure we had found the culprit. Then, the old fellow produced the +earring, which he had seen, but had scarcely noticed, thinking it was +some of the bird's own junk. It seems Polly also collects antiques!" + +"Well, well, Hosmer, my boy, you did well to think of such a solution +to our mystery! What put you on the track in the first place?" + +"I think it was the birds of your collection, sir. I'm very fond of +birds and bird study, and I know a lot about parrots, and their ways. +Well, seeing all your stuffed birds, put birds in my head, I suppose; +any way, when Dolly spoke of a parrot next door that annoyed Mrs. +Berry, I thought right away of how that Polly bird would like to grab +a gold trinket if he had a good chance. So I looked up his chances, +and I began to realise that if your window was open, the one in the +other house might have been too. Sunday was such a warm, pleasant day. +So, I looked into matters a little, and concluded we'd better go over +there. I didn't say what we were going for, because it might easily +have turned out a wild goose chase--" + +"Instead of a wild parrot chase!" said Alicia. "Oh, isn't it just fine +that it's found!" + +"I guess old Fenn will be surprised," said Dotty, with an angry shake +of her dark head. "He tried his best to fasten it on Dolly--" + +"Fasten the earring on?" asked Geordie Knapp, laughing. + +"No; I did that myself," rejoined Dolly. "Oh, Uncle Forbes, you didn't +think I took it, did you?" + +"I didn't know what to think. No thought of that bird came into my +mind. And so I had to cudgel my brain to think how it did disappear. +For I HAD to know! Yes, I positively HAD to know!" + +"Of course," agreed Bernice. "You didn't want to lose that jewel." + +"It wasn't only that, there was another reason, a reason that I'll +tell you some day." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +FOUR CELEBRATIONS + + +Next morning at breakfast, each of the four girls found a note at her +plate. The notes were all alike, and they read: + +Mr. Jefferson Forbes, because of his great delight over the discovery +of his lost piece of property, invites you to a celebration occasion, +to-morrow, Thursday evening. Mr. Forbes would say, also, that he has +obtained the consent of all interested parents, that you may stay till +Saturday. Mr. Jefferson Forbes will be glad of suggestions as to what +form said celebration shall assume. + +They all laughed at the formal style and stilted language of the +notes, and were amazed at the information that they were to make a +longer visit than they had thought. + +Mrs. Berry smiled at the shower of questions that followed the reading +of the notes, but she only said, "Don't ask me, my dears. After +breakfast, Mr. Forbes will meet you in the reception room and discuss +it." + +So a merry group of four awaited the coming of their host in the +pretty little reception room. + +"Good morning," he said, cheerily, as he entered, "What an attractive +bunch of humanity! Four smiling faces and eight bright eyes! I greet +you all." + +With an old-fashioned bow, he took a seat near them, and asked, "Did +you receive certain important documents?" + +"We did," replied Bernice. "May we have further enlightenment?" + +"You may, and first I will remove that anxious look from Dolly's face, +by saying that her mother is perfectly willing that she should stay +here the rest of the week." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly. "How did you ask her? By telephone?" + +"Yes. So pleased was I over the developments of last evening, that I +telephoned all the powers that be, and arranged for an extension to +our house party. Are you glad?" + +"Indeed we are," chorused the girls, and Uncle Jeff went on. + +"Now, our celebration is to be just whatever you want. And if you +don't all want the same thing, you can all have different things. So +just state your preferences." + +"I know mine," said Alicia. "it is to go to Muriel Brown's party on +Friday night. She asked us, and I'd love to go." + +"That's one," said her uncle. "Of course you can all go to the party. +Now, Bernice, what do you choose?" + +"I'd like to go to the opera," said Bernice. "Grand opera, I mean. +I've never been but once, and I'd love to go." + +"Good! We'll go to-night. If you all agree?" + +They certainly did agree to that, and then Mr. Forbes asked the two +D's to choose. + +"I want to go to the Metropolitan Museum,--with you!" said Dolly, half +afraid to ask such a boon. But Mr. Forbes seemed pleased, and declared +he would be delighted to go with her, and explain the exhibits and the +others could go or not, as they liked. All decided in favour of going, +and then Dotty was asked to choose. + +"Don't laugh at me," said Dotty, "but I'd like to have a party. Only, +not a big one. Just us four girls, and the four boys, that we know the +best; Geordie, Ted, Marly Turner and Sam Graves. I like that sort of a +party better than the big, dressy ones." + +"Why, Dot Rose!" exclaimed Alicia, "I thought you liked the big +dances." + +"So I do, if I knew the people. But I think it would be lots of fun to +have a few, and have a less formal party. I'd like to ask Muriel +Brown, and two or three of those girls we met with her, the other day, +and then, have a few more boys; but not a hundred, like Muriel had." + +"A good plan," said Mr. Forbes, "because you couldn't invite a large +party on such short notice. So, make out your list, Dotty, and invite +them by telephone at once. Mrs. Berry will help you, and will arrange +all details. Let me see, you can have that party to-morrow night; go +to the opera to-night; go to Muriel's party on Friday night, and go +home on Saturday. The museum we can visit any afternoon. I thank you +for your kind attention." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff, we thank YOU for your kindness, all of it," cried +Alicia. "You have been so very good to us, and now you are doing a lot +more for our pleasure." + +"Have you enjoyed it all, so far, Alicia?" and her uncle looked at her +inquiringly. + +"Oh, yes, sir, indeed I have! I was troubled about the lost earring, +but that was not your fault." + +"Nor the fault of any of you girls," said Mr. Forbes. "As I have +hinted to you, I have a reason for this visit you are making me, +beside a desire to give you pleasure. I am considering a serious +matter and this stay of yours in my house is helping me to a +decision." + +"What can it be, Uncle?" cried Bernice. "Tell us, so we can help you +more, and more intelligently." + +"I will tell you Saturday morning," he returned with a smile. "Perhaps +in that time other developments may occur that will alter my final +decision in the matter." + +"It sounds most mysterious," laughed Dolly, "can't we guess what it's +all about?" + +"You may guess, if you like, but I don't promise to tell you if you +guess correctly. And I don't mind adding, that I feel pretty sure you +couldn't guess correctly, if you tried!" + +"No use trying, then!" said Alicia, gaily. "Oh, I'm so glad we're +going to stay longer. I want to do a lot of things beside the +celebrations we've just planned. I do think you're the best and +kindest uncle in the whole world! I've got a secret, too, and some day +I'm going to tell it to you all." + +"Secrets seem to be the order of the day," laughed Dolly; "we'll have +to scrape up one, Dot." + +"Well, it's no secret that we're having one grand, glorious, good +time!" said Dotty. "What's on for this morning?" + +Mr. Forbes went off to his own room then, and the girls planned out +all they should do for the rest of their stay in the city. + +There was some shopping, some sight-seeing and some errands yet undone +but they at last agreed on a programme that would suit everybody. + +Dotty's party, as they called it, took place on Thursday night, and +she had her way about having it a small gathering. There were about +twenty in all, and according to Dotty's wishes it was not only a +dancing party. There were games as well as dances, for Dotty loved +games. + +Some of the city young people were at first inclined to laugh at the +idea of games, but when they began to take part in these that Dotty +had planned they became exceedingly interested. + +One was an "Observation Test," up in Mr. Forbes' museum. + +At Dotty's request, he had allowed the collection rooms to be opened +to the guests, and this very special dispensation was so appreciated +by all that they were most exceedingly careful not to handle the rare +specimens or touch the exhibits. + +This state of things lent itself beautifully to the game. Each player +was asked to walk about for half an hour and look at the curios and +treasures, and at the expiration of the time, to return to the drawing +room, and spend ten minutes writing down the names of such objects as +could be remembered. + +This game, most of them had played before, with a table full of less +interesting exhibits. But in the wonderful museum rooms of Mr. Forbes +it was quite another story. + +So eagerly did the young people observe and examine the things, that +the half hour allotted for that purpose slipped away all too soon. + +And then they sat down to write their lists, and that too proved an +absorbing occupation. + +Our four girls wrote lists, just for fun, but did not compete for the +prizes, as, knowing the exhibit so well, that would not have been +fair. + +Muriel Brown took the first prize, and the hostesses were glad of it +for it was pleasant to have Muriel so honoured. + +The prize was a gold penholder, and the boys' prize, which Marly +Turner won, was a similar gift. + +After it was over, another game was played. This was ribbon cutting. + +Girls and boys, stood at either end of the long drawing-room. To each +girl was given the end of a piece of long, narrow ribbon, and a pair +of scissors. The other end of each ribbon was held by a boy, who +likewise had a pair of scissors. + +At a signal, each player started cutting the ribbon straight through +the middle. If the scissors slipped and cut through the selvage, the +player was out of the game. It was not easy, for the ribbon was +narrow, and there was a strong impulse to hurry, which made for +crooked cutting. The middle of each piece of ribbon was marked by a +knot, and whoever reached the knot first, was the winner of that pair. +The one who finished first of all, received a special prize. + +The game caused great laughter and sport, and the city young people +declared they enjoyed it quite as much as dancing. + +Then the feast was served, and very beautiful and elaborate it was. +The celebration, Mr. Forbes had said, was to be especially for the two +D's, as it was Dotty's choice, and Dolly's choice of a visit to the +museum provided little opportunity for gaiety. + +The table showed two great floral D's, one at either end. Dotty's was +made of red roses, and Dolly's of pink roses. Every guest had as a +souvenir, some pretty and valuable little trinket, and at every place +was a small D made of flowers. + +Cakes, ices, jellies, and all such things as could be so shaped, were +cut in the form of D's, and our two girls felt greatly honoured to see +their initial so prominently and beautifully displayed. + +In the centre of the table was a huge French Doll, of the finest type. +It was dressed in silk covered with polka dots, and its hat and +parasol were of silk to match. + +Everybody laughed when Mr. Forbes pointed out that it was Dotty Dolly! +And all agreed it was a most clever and appropriate symbol. + +After supper there was dancing, and a fine orchestra furnished the +music. Our girls liked dancing pretty well, but often they sat out a +dance talking to one or another of their guests. + +Once, as Dolly passed along the hall, chatting with Geordie Knapp, +they heard rather loud voices behind the closed door of the little +reception room. + +Rather surprised that the door should be shut at all, that evening, +Dolly paused involuntarily, and Geordie stood by her side. They had no +intention of eavesdropping; indeed, Geordie thought perhaps some new +game was about to be announced. + +But to Dolly's amazement, she heard Alicia's voice saying, "Oh, I +cannot! I dare not!" + +The tones were quivering with emotion, and Dolly couldn't help +listening for the next words. She feared Alicia was troubled about +something; indeed, she didn't know what she feared. + +And, next came a voice that was unmistakably; Marly Turner's, saying, +"Do, dear! Oh, TRUST me,--_I_ will take care of you!" + +"But it is a desperate step!" exclaimed Alicia, "if I should ever +regret it!" + +"You will not regret it, dearest," Marly said, "I will never LET you +regret it! Your own mother eloped; it is fitting you should do so, +too." + +Dolly looked at Geordie, her face white with horror. + +Alicia, planning an elopement! And with Marly Turner! She laid her +hand on the knob of the door. + +"Don't!" said Geordie, "don't you get mixed up in a thing like that! +Is Alicia Steele that sort of a girl?" + +"I don't know," faltered Dolly. "I heard Bernice hint once that +Alicia's mother did elope with her father,--but, Alicia! Why, she +isn't seventeen, yet!" + +"Well, that's old enough to know what she's about. I advise you, +Dolly, not to go in there. Tell Mr. Forbes, if you like." + +"Oh, I couldn't tell on Alicia!" + +And, then, as they still stood there, too fascinated to move away, +Alicia said, "Yes, to-morrow night. I will steal out after the house +is quiet,--oh, my hero! my idol!" + +"My angel!" exclaimed Marly, in a deep, thrilled voice, and Dolly +turned away, sick at heart. + +"I don't know what to do!" she said to Geordie, as they went on to the +drawing room, where the dancers were. + +"Don't do anything," he advised. "It's none of your business. That +Steele girl isn't like you, she's a different type. If she wants to +cut up such didoes, don't you mix in it. Let her alone. I knew Marly +liked her,--he said so,--but I didn't suppose he'd do such a thing as +that! But I shan't say a word to him. We're good friends, but not +chums. Marly's a good chap, but he's awfully anxious to act grown up, +and my stars! he's doing so! Elope with the Steele girl! Jiminy!" "I +can't bear to tell on Alicia," said Dolly, "and yet, I can't think I +ought to let her go ahead and do this thing. She's so fond of romance, +and excitement, she doesn't realise what she's doing." + +Later on, Dolly saw Alicia and young Turner emerge from the reception +room, and saunter toward the drawing room. They were talking +earnestly, in whispers. Alicia's cheeks were pink, and her manner a +little excited. Marly looked important, and bore himself with a more +grown up air than usual. Dolly and Geordie looked at each other, and +shook their heads. It was only too evident that the two were planning +some secret doings. They went off by themselves and sat on a davenport +in a corner of the room, and continued to converse in whispers, +oblivious to all about them. + +Dolly and Geordie purposely walked past the other pair, and distinctly +heard Marly say something about a rope ladder. + +"It's part of the performance," he urged, as Alicia seemed to demur. + +Then she smiled sweetly at him, and said, "All right, then, just as +you say." + +"It's perfectly awful!" said Dolly, as they walked on. "I've simply +got to tell Dotty, anyway." + +"Oh, I wouldn't," expostulated Geordie; "I don't believe they'll pull +it off. Somebody will catch on and put a stop to it." + +"Maybe and maybe not," said Dolly, dubiously. "Alicia is awfully +clever, and if she sets out to do a thing, she generally carries it +through. And her head is full of crazy, romantic thoughts. She'd +rather elope than to go back to school, I know she would. She told me +she'd do anything to get out of going back to school." + +"That makes it look serious," agreed Geordie. "Still I don't think you +ought to mix yourself up in it, unless you just tell the whole story +to Mr. Forbes." + +"I hate to be a tattle-tale," and Dolly looked scornful. "But if it's +for Alicia's good, maybe I ought to." + +"Look at them now! Their heads close together, and whispering like +everything!" + +"Yes, they're planning for their getaway!" + +During the rest of the evening, Dolly watched Alicia, feeling mean to +do it, and yet unable to keep herself from it. + +At last the guests went home, one and all exclaiming at the good time +they had had. Marly Turner bade Dolly good night, with a smiling face. +"I've had the time of my life!" he declared. + +"I've not seen much of you," said Dolly, pointedly. + +"I know it. Too bad! I wanted to dance with you oftener, but the time +was so short." + +"And you found another charmer?" + +"Well, Alicia sure is a wonder, isn't she? You know she is!" + +"Yes, she is," said Dolly, and for the life of her, she couldn't frown +on the happy-hearted youth. + +Marly went off, and the others followed. + +"I'm not going to talk things over to-night," said Dolly, when the +four were alone. "I'm tired, and I'm going straight to bed." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +ALICIA'S SECRET + + +The time seemed fairly to fly. Each of the four girls had some last +few errands to do, each wanted some little souvenirs for herself, or +for her people at home, and so busy were they that there was not so +much mutual conversation among them as usual. + +They were to go home on Saturday. And already it was Friday afternoon. +They had finished luncheon, Alicia and Bernice had gone to their room, +and Dolly was about to go upstairs, when she remembered that she had +planned to run in and say good-bye to old Joe and his parrot. + +Dolly felt she owed a debt of gratitude to Polly, and she had bought a +little toy for him. + +"I'm going to run in next door a minute," she said to Mrs. Berry. + +"Very well, my dear. Here's a cracker for Polly." + +Dolly took it laughingly, and went out to the hall. + +"Put your coat round you," called out Mrs. Berry. "It's only a step, I +know, but it's a very cold day." + +"Oh, Dot just took my coat upstairs, with her own. Well, here's +Alicia's hanging on the hall rack. I'll throw this round me." + +She did so, and ran out of the front door and up the steps of the next +house. + +Old Joe answered her ring at the bell. + +"Just ran over to say good-bye," laughed Dolly, "and to bring a +cracker and a toy for Polly." + +"Thank you, Miss," and Joe smiled at her. "I'll bring the bird down to +you, Ma'am, to save your going upstairs." + +"All right," said Dolly, a little absent-mindedly, for she was +thinking of a lot of things at once. + +Still absentmindedly, she put her hand in her coat pocket for a +handkerchief. There was none there, and she drew out a letter instead. +Then she suddenly remembered she had on Alicia's coat, and with a +glance at the envelope, she thrust the letter back in the pocket. But +that one glance sufficed to show her it was in Marly Turner's +handwriting. + +She had had a note from him a day or two ago, inviting her to some +party or other, and his striking, sprawling penmanship was +unmistakable. The letter had been opened, and Dolly remembered that +Alicia had had several letters in the mail that morning. + +It all recalled to her the talk she had overheard the night before. +All that morning Alicia had seemed preoccupied, and twice she had gone +off by herself to telephone in a booth, which the girls rarely used, +for they had no secrets from one another. + +Dolly thought over the situation between Alicia and young Turner. She +had not told Dotty yet. She had two minds about doing so. It seemed to +her one minute that she had no right to interfere in Alicia's affairs +and then again, it seemed as if she ought to tell Mr. Forbes what was +going on. + +She had heard Alicia say to Marly that they would elope that very +night, and she felt sure they meant to do so. + +They were all going to Muriel Brown's party, that being Alicia's own +choice of the "celebrations." Would she elope from the party, or +return home first? The latter, probably, for they had mentioned a rope +ladder, and that seemed as if Alicia meant to go late at night when +all the others were asleep. If she ran away from the party there would +be no need of a rope ladder. + +Dolly had asked Bernice if Alicia's mother had eloped, and Bernice had +said she thought she had, though she had never heard any of the +particulars. + +And then Joe came down with the parrot, and Dolly forgot Alicia and +her elopement for the moment. + +Polly showed great delight over his gifts, and after a few words of +good-bye to the bird and to old Joe, Dolly ran back again. + +In the hall she took off Alicia's coat and hung it on the rack just as +Alicia herself appeared on the stairs. + +"Where you been?" she called out gaily. + +"Next door," said Dolly, "to say a fond farewell to Polly Mortimer. +And as my coat was upstairs, I took the liberty of wearing yours." + +"That's all right," laughed Alicia, "you're welcome to it, I'm sure. +Oh, I say, Dolly, there's a letter in the pocket of it! I hope you +didn't read it!" + +"Alicia Steele! You ought to be ashamed of yourself to hint at such a +thing!" + +"There, there, don't flare up over nothing! I only said I hoped you +didn't. Did you?" + +"I consider that question insulting!" + +"Yes, people often get out of answering, that way! Now, you haven't +answered me yet. Did you or did you NOT read that letter that's in the +pocket of my coat?" + +"I did NOT! But I've my opinion of a girl who could even think I'd do +such a thing!" + +"Well, you had plenty of time, and when you were in next door, would +have been a good opportunity. I'm not sure I believe you even yet. +You're blushing like fury!" + +"Who wouldn't, at being insulted like that! I don't think you can have +much sense of honour yourself, to think anybody decent would read +another person's letter!" + +"Now, don't get huffy, little goldilocks!" and Alicia laughed at her. +"I had to be sure, you see, because it's a most important matter, and +I wouldn't have anybody know for the world,--until I get ready to +tell, myself." + +"And when will you be ready to tell?" Dolly tried to speak lightly, +but the words nearly choked her. + +"I dunno. Maybe you'll know about it to-morrow." + +"Oh, Alicia--" Dolly meant to speak a word of warning or of pleading, +indeed she didn't quite know what she WAS going to say, but just then, +Dotty and Bernice came down stairs, and proposed they all go for a +motor ride, and a last visit to the pretty tearoom. + +Dolly agreed, but Alicia didn't seem quite willing. + +"I'm expecting a telephone message," she said, at last. "You girls go +on, and leave me at home. I shan't mind." + +"Oh, no," said Dotty, "we four can't be together after to-day. We +mustn't be separated this last day of all. Come on, 'Licia." + +"But it's an important message," and Alicia looked anxious. + +"Can I be of help?" said Mrs. Berry, coming toward them. + +"Yes," cried Dotty, "let Mrs. Berry take the message, and tell her +what answer to make." + +"No answer," said Alicia, slowly, and a pink flush rose to her cheeks. +"But just take the message, if you please, dear Mrs. Berry. It will be +short, I know. Jot it down, lest you forget the exact wording." + +Mrs. Berry promised and the four ran away to get ready for their last +afternoon together. + +"Dress up pretty, girls," Alicia called from her room. "No telling +whom we might meet at the tearoom." + +"That's so," said Dotty; "put on your Dresden silk, Doll." + +Dolly laughingly agreed, and the four dressed-up young ladies started +off. + +A few calls at various shops, a few stops to look once more at certain +points of interest they admired, and then for a long drive through the +parks, and finally to the tearoom. + +"How short the time has been," said Bernice, as they flew along. + +"Yes," assented Alicia, "it doesn't seem possible we've been here as +long as we have. Oh, I don't want to go home. I wish I could live in +New York, I just love it!" + +"I like it," said Dolly, "but I don't want to live here. I'd LIKE to +come here oftener than I do, though." + +At the tearoom they found Janet Knapp and Corinne Bell, two girls whom +they had come to know very pleasantly. + +"Sit here with us," called out Janet, as they entered. "We haven't +ordered yet,--what do you girls want?" + +"Cafe frappe for me," said Dotty, "and waffles." + +"Thick chocolate and whipped cream for mine," said Alicia. "Oh, when +shall I ever get these lovely things again? Think of going back to +boarding-school diet!" + +"Don't you have good things to eat at that nice school?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, good enough, but not lovely, fancy things like these." + +"I'd like to go to boarding-school," said Janet, "but mother doesn't +want me away from home. She thinks girls get no home training at those +fashionable schools." + +"We don't, and that's a fact," admitted Alicia. "We're taught manners +and, oh, well, I s'pose it's up to the girl herself, as to what she +learns. Maybe I won't go back to school, after all." + +"Oh, Alicia," cried Bernice, "what do you mean?" + +"Oh, nothing," and Alicia smiled as she tossed her head. "I've got a +secret. I can't tell you now. Maybe you'll know soon." + +Dolly looked at Alicia, in bewilderment. Could she be referring to her +intended elopement with Marly Turner? + +"Good gracious! What do you mean?" and Janet laughed. + +"Never mind," returned Alicia, airily, "don't ask me any questions. +You know they call me 'that awful Alicia!' So be prepared for +anything." + +Dolly grew thoughtful. Only she and Geordie Knapp held the secret of +Alicia's strange remarks, and she couldn't decide whether it was her +duty to tell anyone of her knowledge or not. She made up her mind to +tell Mrs. Berry, as soon as she went home, and then she had +compunctions about that, for Dolly was very conscientious and she +really didn't know what was right to do. + +"I go to an awfully nice school," Corinne Bell said. "It's quite near +my house and I can go alone every day. We have such interesting +teachers, and such a jolly lot of girls. You'd love it, Alicia." + +"Yes, I'd love it, but how could I go there? It isn't a boarding +school, is it?" + +"No; but couldn't you board somewhere in New York?" + +"Alone! No, I should say not! You know I live out in the western +wilds, at least the middle western wilds, and I think they're wilder +than the far west. This little New York visit is all poor Alicia will +see of the glittering metropolis for,--oh, well, it may be for years +and it may be forever!" + +"What do you do in vacation time?" asked Janet. + +"Oh, Dad and I go to summery places. Couldn't come to New York then, +you know. But when I get married, I'm going to live in New York, you +can bet on that!" + +"You're not thinking of marrying soon, I hope," and Janet laughed. + +"Never can tell!" said Alicia, smiling saucily. "I have all sorts of +wonderful schemes in my noodle. Some of 'em materialise,--some don't. +But trust little Alicia to do something big! Oh, girls, my secret is +just TOO splendid!" + +"Is it--is it all right?" and Dolly stammered, as she looked at Alicia +with a doubtful glance. + +"Is it all right! You little sanctimonious-eyed prude! You bet it's +all right! Maybe we'll meet again, Janet. You can't 'most always +sometimes tell." + +"I hope you'll come to Berwick to visit me, Alicia," said Bernice; "I +think as we're cousins we ought to see more of each other." + +"I'd love to, Bernie. Maybe I'll come this summer." + +"We could have a sort of reunion at our house," went on Bernice; +"Muriel and you girls could come for a few days, and the two D's and I +would be there, and we'd scare up a lot of fun." + +"'Deed we would! I'll surely come if it can be arranged. But I never +know Dad's plans from one day to the next," Alicia said. + +"Hello, girls," sang out a boyish voice, and in came Geordie Knapp +with half a dozen comrades. "We just sorter, kinder thought we'd see a +bunch of peaches here about this time o' day! Hello, everybody!" + +Marly Turner was not among the group, and Dolly looked anxiously at +Geordie, as if to ask him what he knew concerning him. + +"What is it, Dolly?" asked Geordie, with a blank look. + +"Secret!" laughed Dolly, "come over here and whisper to me." + +"Oh, how rude!" cried Alicia; "even out West we don't whisper in +polite society!" + +"But this is a special case," and Dolly smiled and dimpled, as if +about to discuss the most trivial subject with Geordie. + +The boy looked surprised when Dolly spoke to him about what they had +overheard the night before. + +"Why," he said, "I never gave it another thought! I don't believe they +really meant what we thought they did." + +"Yes, they did," asserted Dolly. "All day, Alicia has been keyed up to +some great excitement. She had a letter from Marly this morning, and +she expects a telephone from him. Also, she said things that could +only mean that they really are going to elope to-night." + +"Such as what?" + +"She said maybe she'd live in New York soon, and said she had a big, +wonderful secret and we'd know it to-morrow,--why, she even said she +expects to live in New York after she's married!" + +"Whew! that's going some! Still, Dolly, I don't just see what we can +do." + +"I think I ought to tell Mr. Forbes, don't you?" + +"I don't know. I do hate tell other people's secrets." + +"Yes; so do I. Perhaps I'll just tell Mrs. Berry." + +"I say, I've an idea! Suppose I get hold of Turner, and get him to go +home and spend the evening with me. I'll insist upon it, you know, and +if he objects, I'll ask him what's up." + +"Oh, yes, Geordie, that will be fine! You do that, will you?" + +"Yes; suppose I telephone him now, and ask him." + +"Go ahead, and then tell me what he says." + +Geordie excused himself and went off to the telephone booth. + +"You seem to have a lot of secrets, too, Dolly," said Alicia. + +"Yes, I have," and Dolly looked demure. "Can't let you have all the +fun, 'Licia." + +"Nothing doing," Geordie reported to Dolly, as he came back, and his +face looked more serious. He made an opportunity to speak to her alone +again, and he said, "I got him all right, and he said he couldn't see +me this evening, for he's awful busy. Said he was busy with his +father." + +"His father! Why, Mr. Turner is an actor, isn't he?" + +"Sure he is, one of the best." + +"Then how can Marly be with him? Isn't Mr. Turner acting?" + +"Not just now. He's rehearsing, I think." + +"Well, I believe Marly made that up. He's planning the elopement." + +"I'm afraid he is. He was sort of queer and didn't answer as +straightforwardly as he usually does. Oh, what a silly performance to +cut up! Why, they're just a couple of kids!" + +"I know it. I never was mixed up in a thing like this before." + +"You're not mixed up in this." + +"No; not unless I mix in purposely. And I believe I shall have to. You +see, I'm only a country girl, and I don't know what's right to do in +this case. But I'm going to follow my instinct, and tell either Mr. +Forbes or Mrs. Berry. I don't think I'll tell Dot or Bernice, for +they'd have no more knowledge of what's right to do, than I have +myself." + +"You're a good deal of a trump, Dolly Fayre. But I think you're in a +hard place. I wish I could help you, and I'll do anything you say." + +"Couldn't you go to Mr. Turner?" + +"I'd hate to. Yer see, us fellows don't tell on each other,--it isn't +done--" "I know. Well, let's hope we're mistaken." + +"But I don't see how we can be,---after what we heard." + +"Neither do I. I've a mind to speak straight out to Alicia about it." + +"Do, if you think best." + +"Well, I'll see." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +UNCLE JEFF'S FOUR FRIENDS + + +Still uncertain what she'd do, Dolly went home with the rest of the +quartette. + +Alicia was in high spirits, constantly exclaiming, "Oh, if you only +knew what I know!" or "I'm terribly excited over my secret! Just you +wait till to-morrow!" or some such speech. + +And as they entered the Forbes house she flew to Mrs. Berry demanding +to know if a telephone message had arrived for her. + +"Yes," replied the good-natured housekeeper. "Marly Turner called up, +and he asked me to tell you that everything was all right, and he'd +pull it off to-night, sure." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Alicia, "are you sure that's just what he said?" + +"Yes," asseverated Mrs. Berry, "see, I wrote it down, so I shouldn't +forget." + +Dolly had to eavesdrop a little to overhear this conversation, as +Alicia had drawn Mrs. Berry aside, to make her inquiries. And it was +with a heavy heart that Dolly went upstairs to lay off her wraps. + +"Oh, girls, I'm so happy!" cried Alicia, as she flung herself into a +chair. "But don't ask me why, for I refuse to tell you. Now, do we +dress for to-night's party before dinner or after?" + +"Before, please," said Mrs. Berry, who had followed the girls to their +rooms. "Mr. Forbes asked me to tell you that he wants an interview in +the drawing-room before you go to Muriel's, and so you'd better be +dressed." + +"Ah, those drawing-room interviews!" exclaimed Bernice. "How they +frightened me at first; then they rather bored me; but in the last few +days I've come to like them!" + +"So have I," said Dotty. "I like Mr. Forbes himself a whole lot better +than I did at first. He's so much more get-at-able." + +"He ought to be," laughed Alicia, "with four girls to train him up in +the way he should go! What frocks, ladies? Our very bestest?" + +"Yes, indeed," said Bernice. "This is our last night, and we must 'go +out in a blaze of glory'! And scoot, you two D's. We've none too much +time to dress." + +Dolly and Dotty went to their room, and it was rather a silent Dolly +who sat down to the dressing-table to brush her golden locks. + +"Whatamatter, Dollums?" said her chum. "Sad at thoughts of going +home?" + +"Oh, no; really, Dot, I'm glad to go home. We've had a magnificent +time here, but I'm--well, I s'pect I'm homesick." + +"So'm I, a little, now that you mention it. But we've enough to +remember and think over for a long time, haven't we?" + +"Of course. My but I'm glad that earring was found! Oh, Dot, wouldn't +it have been awful if we had gone home with that doubt hanging over +us?" + +"It would, indeed, old girl. And, now if you'll proceed to do up that +taffy-coloured mass on top of your head, I'll accept the dressing +mirror for a while." + +Dolly twisted up her golden mop, and decorated it with a ribbon band, +and then gave over her place to Dotty. + +And, shortly, four very much dressed-up girls went down to the extra +elaborate dinner that was served in honour of the last night of their +visit. + +The chat at table was far more gay and spontaneous than it had been on +the night of their arrival, for all had become used to each other's +ways, and had grown to like each other very much. Mr. Forbes, too, had +changed from a stiff, somewhat embarrassed host to a genial, even gay +comrade. He asked all about their doings of the day, and they told +him, with gay stories of funny episodes. + +Dolly watched Alicia, but except that her eyes were unusually bright +and her laughter very frequent, the Western girl showed no especial +excitement. + +After dinner they all went to the drawing-room, and it was with a +feeling of real sadness that Dolly realised it was for the last time. + +Mr. Forbes walked up and down the room as he often did, and then +paused in front of the group of girls who were standing by the piano. + +"Sit down, girlies," he said; "Alicia and Bernice, sit on that sofa, +please,--you two D's on that one." + +Uncle Jeff was smiling, but still, there seemed to be an undercurrent +of seriousness in his tone, that implied a special talk. + +"Did it ever occur to any of you," he began, "that I invited you here +for something beside a mere desire to give you young people some +pleasure?" + +"Why, you've practically said so to us, Uncle Jeff," laughed Alicia; +"are you going to tell us your reason?" + +"Yes, I am. And I'm going to tell you now." + +Mr. Forbes sat down in an easy chair, in such a position that he could +look straight at all the girls, but his gaze rested on his two nieces. + +"My reason," he said, slowly, "is, I admit, a selfish one. If you +girls have enjoyed your visit, I'm very glad, but what I wanted, was +to study you." + +"I knew it!" exclaimed Bernice. "I thought you were studying us--our +characters." + +"Yes, just that. And I wanted to study the characters of my two +nieces. Now you know you can't judge much of girls, unless you see +them with their comrades, their chums; or at least with other girls of +their own age. So I asked you each to bring a girl friend with you. As +it happened, Bernie brought two, and Alicia none, but that didn't +matter. And I'm exceedingly glad to have met and known the two D's." + +The courteous old gentleman bowed to Dotty and Dolly who smiled and +bowed in return. + +"Well," Uncle Jeff went on, "here's the reason I wanted to study my +two nieces. Because I want to take one of them to live with me, and to +inherit, eventually, my house and the greater part of my fortune." + +There was a silence, as each of his hearers thought over what this +would mean. + +Either Bernice or Alicia was to be chosen to live in that big city +house, practically to be mistress of it, to have a life of wealth and +luxury and at last to inherit Mr. Forbes' great fortune, and all his +valuable collections and belongings. + +Dotty broke the silence. "It's great!" she exclaimed, "just great! And +which one are you going to choose?" + +"I have chosen," said Mr. Forbes, slowly, "it remains to be seen +whether the one I have selected will accept. But now, you all can see +why I was so alarmed and anxious over the episode of the lost earring. +I HAD to find out if any of you girls had yielded to temptation. And +if so, if it was one of my nieces, or one of their friends." + +"And if it had been one of your nieces, you would have chosen the +other!" cried Bernice. + +"No, my child," returned her uncle. "Quite the contrary. If either you +or Alicia had taken that gem, with a wrong intent, I should have asked +the wrong-doer to come and live with me, hoping I could teach her the +error of her ways. But that's neither here nor there. For none of you +DID take the jewel, nor indeed, ever thought of such a thing. But my +decision, which I have made, is not entirely based on worthiness, or +even on desirability. And I'll tell you frankly, had I tried to choose +my favourite between Bernie and 'Licia, I should have had a hard time! +For I have come to love both girls very dearly, and would have not the +slightest objection to adopting them both." + +"And us two also?" asked Dotty, mischievously. + +"Yes, and you two also! Bless my soul! From a lonely, somewhat +misanthropic old man, you young people have turned me into a real +human being! I like young voices round me, and young folks's pleasures +going on in my house. Well, my dears, are you interested to know my +choice?" + +"ARE we?" cried Dotty, while Dolly fairly held her breath. + +"I have chosen Alicia," Mr. Forbes announced, and there was a deep +silence. + +Bernice looked a little bewildered, but not at all disappointed. +Alicia looked simply stunned, and the two D's just listened for +further developments. + +"But don't you for one minute think," said Mr. Forbes, "that I +consider Alicia in any way superior to Bernice; nor, on the other +hand, do I think Bernie better than Alicia. I love my nieces equally, +and the thing that settled the question in my mind was a letter I +received to-day from Alicia's father." + +"I know!" cried Alicia, "I had one, too. I didn't say anything about +it, because Dad asked me not to. You tell, Uncle Jeff." + +"It's this," said Mr. Forbes. "Alicia's father is to be married soon. +As you know, Alicia's mother, my dear sister died many years ago, and +I know Mr. Steele but slightly. However, now that he is about to +remarry, I hope that it will please both him and his new wife if +Alicia comes to live with me. Also, I hope it will please Alicia." + +"Oh, Uncle Jeff!" and Alicia flew over to him, and flung her arms +round his neck, "indeed it does please me! Why, only to-day I was +saying how I'd LOVE to live in New York, and how I HATED to go back to +that old school! But I never dreamed of such a thing as this!" + +"Oh, it's just fine!" exclaimed Bernice. "I couldn't think of leaving +father, and I'd rather live in the country anyhow--" + +"I discovered that, Bernie, girl," said her uncle, seriously. "That's +why I had you girls here, so I could see for myself what your tastes +and traits really are. I've learned that Bernice prefers her own home +and too that she doesn't want to leave her father alone though my plan +would have been if I asked Bernice to come here to have her father +live here, too. However, I also discovered that Alicia is unhappy in +her school life, that she does not care much about returning to her +Western home to live with a stepmother, and that she adores New York +City! So, I wrote to her father asking his opinion, and he leaves the +settlement of the question to Alicia, herself." + +"And I settle it! Yes! oh, I certainly DO!" and the girl gave her kind +uncle another big embrace. + +"Isn't it funny you should have been saying to-day that perhaps you +might live in New York?" said Bernice. + +"Yes," replied Alicia, and her face changed, "but I didn't mean THIS!" + +Dolly spoke impulsively. In fact, it seemed as if she couldn't keep +still. + +"Suppose you tell your uncle just what you DID mean," she said, +looking straight at Alicia with an unmistakably meaning gaze. + +Alicia turned on her with a sudden expression of anger. + +"You DID read that note in my coat pocket!" she cried, "you DID read +it, Dolly Fayre! and you pretended you were too honourable to do such +a thing!" + +"Why, Alicia, I did not! You take that back!" + +"Bless my soul! Are you two quarrelling? What IS the matter?" + +"Dolly read my note!" cried Alicia, "she--" + +"I did not!" interrupted Dolly, her blue eyes blazing. "Alicia has a +secret, and I think she ought to tell it!" + +"I've got a right to have a secret if I like,--Dolly Fayre!" + +"But it isn't a nice secret! You wouldn't want Uncle Forbes to know +it! It's--it's shocking!" + +"How do YOU know?" + +"I know all about it,--at least I know something about it. I heard you +and Marly Turner--" + +"Oh, pshaw! you little blue-eyed goose! You only think it's shocking, +because you're so prim and straight-laced! I'll tell Uncle Jeff, +myself, and I'll tell him right now!" + +"All right, Alicia," and Dolly drew a big sigh of relief. If Alicia +would tell her own secret, it would take all responsibility from her +shoulders. + +But Alicia hesitated. She began to speak once or twice, and stammered +and paused. + +At last she said, "I hate to tell, it sounds so--so grown-up and +ambitious." + +"I should think it DID!" cried Dolly, who began to wonder if Alicia +were crazy. + +"You tell him, Dolly," and Alicia suddenly looked very shy and +embarrassed. + +"Do you MEAN it? Do you want ME to tell him?" + +"Yes, I honestly wish you would. Though how you found out about it, I +don't see!" + +"We weren't intending to listen, Alicia, but Geordie Knapp and I heard +you and Marly Turner, in the little reception-room last night." + +"Oh, that explains it! Yes, we did talk pretty loud. Well, what did +you think of it, Dolly?" + +"If you say so, I'll tell the rest, and see what they think of it." + +"All right, go ahead! Spare my blushes, good people, but I am +fearfully embarrassed!" + +Everybody looked uncomprehending, and Dolly began. + +She couldn't see how Alicia could treat the matter so lightly, but was +fervently thankful that she did so. + +"It's this," said Dolly, solemnly, "Alicia is planning to elope with +Marly Turner." + +There were four astonished faces that greeted this announcement, but +none showed such blank amazement as Alicia's own. + +"Oh, Dolly!" she cried. "Oh, Dolly Fayre! You will be the death of me +yet! Go on, tell them more!" + +"That's about all I know. They planned it last night and it just +happened that Geordie and I heard them. Marly coaxed her, and Alicia +hesitated and then consented. She said her mother eloped, and she +would do the same. They were going to have a rope ladder." + +"Oh, Dolly! Oh, Uncle Jeff! Oh, Dollyrinda!" + +"Well, Alicia, suppose you stop yelling, oh, and tell me about this +interesting performance," Mr. Forbes spoke, severely. + +But Alicia had thrown herself into a big chair and was screaming with +laughter. Every time she essayed to speak, she went off in +uncontrollable spasms of mirth and when she wiped her eyes and +endeavoured to speak, she giggled again. + +Dolly realised there was some misunderstanding somewhere and waited +for the explanation. + +At last it came. + +"No, Uncle Jeff," and Alicia managed to speak intelligibly, "I'm not +going to elope with Marly or anybody else. I'm going to live here with +you." + +"But you were!" said Dolly. "You planned to!" + +"No, my child," and Alicia laughed again. "I'll have to tell my story +myself. I've written a play, Uncle, and in it, the heroine elopes with +the handsome hero. I was awfully shy about showing it to anybody, but +Marly said he'd try to persuade his father to read it over and see if +it showed any promise. You know it's a great thing to have Mr. Turner +read your play, and I was delighted. Well, last night, Marly and I +went over the elopement scene, that's the strong act of the play, and +that's what Dolly heard, and she thought we were talking ourselves! +Oh, Dolly, if people plan to elope they don't do it at the top of +their lungs! Marly and I read the various character parts to see how +it would sound in different voices. Well, then, he said he'd try to +get his father to read it to-night, so I'd know before I went away to- +morrow. And he telephoned that he'd pull it off,--he meant he'd get +his father to read it. That's my secret. And, you know, Uncle Jeff, my +mother DID elope, because her father didn't want her to marry Jim +Steele. And I'd heard the story of her elopement so often, and it was +so dramatic, that I put it in my play. Oh, Dolly, what a little +innocent you are!" + +"I don't care if I am," returned Dolly, and her pretty face beamed +with smiles. "I think your secret is lovely, Alicia, and I think Uncle +Forbes' secret is too." + +"So do I," said Dotty, "and I'm glad and proud that Dollyrinda and I +are chums of two such talented and distinguished girls." + +"And _I_'m glad, Alicia," said her uncle, "that you have a taste for +writing. I shall be glad to help you cultivate it and I've no doubt +that Mr. Turner can give you valuable advice. Of course your early +efforts can't amount to much, but if you care to keep at it, you may +yet do good work. Well, then, do I understand, that you accept my +invitation to live with me?" + +"Yes, indeed, you dear, darling old uncle! I'll live with thee, and be +thy love! as the poet sings." + +"Then run away to your party now, and we'll settle all further details +to-morrow." + +"And you'll forgive me, Alicia, for misjudging you?" said Dolly, still +smiling at her funny mistake. + +"Yes, indeed, you blue-eyed angel! And you'll forgive me for thinking +you read my note. In it, Marly said he thought he could get his father +to read my manuscript and I was SO excited over it. But of course I +know you wouldn't touch my letter only I was so upset over it, I +hardly knew what I said." + +"Oh, that's all right. And, girls, won't we have the great times +having Alicia come to Berwick to see us all?" + +"Yes, and having you all come here to visit me!" returned Alicia. + +"We'll always be chums," said Dotty. "These days together have made us +inseparable friends." + +"The Forbes quartette," said Dolly. "Only Bernice is named Forbes, but +I mean Uncle Forbes' quartette." + +"Yes," said Jefferson Forbes, "my four friends, my Rosebud Garland of +Girls." + + +THE END + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Two Little Women on a Holiday, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + +This file should be named tlwhl10.txt or tlwhl10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, tlwhl11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, tlwhl10a.txt + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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