Part 14 (1/2)
”I couldn't do that, Bettyhad such a big dinner and all the folks are around at home. But do you give me leave to bring whom I can tonight?”
”I _think so!_ Bring Louise and somebody else for Ramon.”
”Great idea. Let's see, three of you, all freshmen?”
”Yes. The girls were in my cla.s.s.”
”All right. It's a surprise party, then, just as Chet had the nerve to suggest. Tell your mother and surprise the girls.”
”Glorious. I'm delighted that he though of it. Do get Carolyn and Peggy if you can.”
”They already know about it, in case it is decided.”
”Oh, then you really meant to do something!”
”She doubts my word! Listendon't get refreshments ready, unless you have the stuff to make the taffy. I don't know whether the girls could bring that or not and the stores are closed. We were just going to order ice-cream sent around, and what else we could get.”
”Listen, Ted, yourself. Mother has the most delicious cake, extra big, because we baked up for company, you know. Have the ice-cream if you must, but not another thing, please.”
What fun it was to plan something with Ted! Betty felt quite grown up.
First they had a senior to dinner, now here was a junior, with probably Louise coming and loads of fun ahead!
The girls and Ramon were both wondering what could detain Ted and Betty in the hall, but Ramon hesitated to rise until Ted should appear. That he did at once, however, with a last word to Betty. He was properly respectful in meeting Betty's father and mother and bowed a friendly greeting to the girls, d.i.c.k, Doris and little Amy Lou, who had wakened and was sleepily arranging a row of tiny dolls on the window sill.
”The boys have something on hand and want the 'Don' this afternoon. I'll deliver him in two or three hours or so. Supper will not be too early, will it?”
”Not after a late dinner,” Mrs. Lee a.s.sured Ted, ”but it would be better to 'deliver' our guest by seven at least.”
”Before that, I promise you,” answered Ted. ”Don't forget, Betty, our little scheme.”
”How could I?” replied Betty.
CHAPTER XI: THE ”SURPRISE” PARTY
”What is the great scheme, Betty?” asked Doris.
”I'm not telling, Dodie,” said Betty, ”but you will know before long perhaps. It's just something the boys and girls are going to do. By the way, Mother, may I consult you about something? I need permission for something not to be divulged as yet.”
”You are making us curious, Betty,” lightly said Janet. ”Come on, Sue, try that new tune of yours on Betty's piano.”
Mr. Lee had left the room and d.i.c.k followed him to ask that the car be gotten out for a ride. ”All right, son. Perhaps the girls and Mother will like to go.”
Betty and her Mother escaped to the kitchen, where they started on the dishes, hoping that the sounds of china would not be noticeable in the front room. The visitors were only too good about offering their services. ”You must go, Mother, with Amy Lou, because you've been in working all day,” said Betty, with decision, ”and that will never do on Thanksgiving. Besides, there's something else on hand and I don't know what you'll think of it!”
”Confess, Betty,” said Mrs. Lee, smiling and making a fine suds for her gla.s.ses and silver.
”First tell me that you'll go, Mother, for I'll stay and finish these up and begin to fix things for our supper.”
”All right, child. I'll go. Now what?”
Betty at once told about the surprise party ”all rather on the spur of the moment, Mother, at least as far as having it tonight is concerned.