Part 19 (1/2)
”And Georgie Graham,” dryly suggested Sarah.
”I rather think not,” replied Marion. ”Grace Minton, Julia Thayer, and who shall be the third? Come, say some one, Flo.”
”I wish you'd ask Rachel Drayton,” said Florence, in the tone of one pleading for a great favor.
”I don't believe she'd come if I asked her.”
”Well, you might try it,” said Sarah; ”she can't do anything more than refuse.”
”She won't refuse if Marion asks her cordially.”
”Well, Flo, I'll do it, considering you've been laid up in the cause.”
And Marion ran out of the room, and downstairs, to hunt up the three girls, and let them know, in as quiet a way as possible, that she wanted them up in her room in about fifteen minutes. In her inmost heart she had wanted to ask Rachel Drayton, but did not like to mention her herself, and she gave the invitation with so much warmth, despite the necessity of a mysterious whisper, that Rachel accepted at once with a nod, and a bright smile, such as Marion had never before called up on that usually serious face.
When Marion got back to her room, Sarah had arranged the various articles on the table in something like order, although the variety and quant.i.ty prevented them from making a very elegant appearance.
”There! how does that look?” she asked as Marion made her appearance.
”Well, I must say it does not exactly suit me; there's too much on the table. We couldn't eat it half to-night, if we try; so what's the use of such a spread? That turkey I'm going to present to Miss Stiefbach; so that can go into the empty box. Flo, I'm going to appropriate your fancy basket for the nuts and raisins; it will give a distingue air to the table, you know. Now what shall we do for plates?”
”Oh, never mind about plates,” said Florence; ”you can carve the ducks, and put a bit of jelly on each piece, and we can eat with our fingers; you mustn't be so particular.”
”But I've no idea of putting ducks and cakes, and cookies and dates, all higgledy-piggledy on to the table together! Sarah, you're such a good forager you won't mind running down the back way, and getting three or four plates, now will you?”
”I just as lief as not, and I'll bring some knives and forks, and a spoon too, for the jelly.”
”You're a jewel! and be quick, or I'm afraid the girls will be here before you get back.”
Marion fluttered about, putting such things as she wished to keep for a future occasion on a shelf in the closet, chattering to Flo all the time. ”Now isn't this jolly, Florence? I mean to have a magnificent time to-night, no matter what happens. Those bottles give quite a regal air to the table, don't they? And your basket is equal to the greatest achievement of the renowned Smith. I must say our supply of china doesn't look very promising; however, we'll have all the more fun.”
”Are they here?” asked Sarah, coming in. ”No? Well, I thought I was pretty quick; here's one of the kitchen platters for the ducks, four plates, two knives and forks and a spoon; that's the best I could do for you.”
”Capital! Now I believe everything is ready;” and Marion stood back, and surveyed the scene with perfect satisfaction. ”There they are!” she exclaimed, as a knock was heard at the door. ”Stand in front of the table, Sallie, so that the full splendors of the scene won't burst on them at once, and I'll let them in,--that's it.”
”Hollo, girls! Come in quick; don't make a bit of noise, for fear Miss Stiefbach should hear you.”
”O Mab, how splendid! elegant! what a treat!” exclaimed the girls, as the full magnificence of the entertainment was revealed to them.
”What a box that was!” said Grace Minton; ”no wonder it half killed you, Flo.”
”And how are you now?” asked Rachel Drayton, who naturally felt a little out of place, for she had never been in the room before. Flo was rarely if ever there without Marion, and had never invited her there, not feeling sure of the reception she might meet with from her room-mate.
”I'm feeling nicely now,” she answered. ”In fact, I've been so interested in watching Marion, that I've hardly thought of myself. I wonder if I couldn't get up, and stand by the table.”
”No, indeed!” exclaimed Marion; ”you mustn't think of such a thing. You are to be the belle of the party; Miss Drayton comes next on the list of distinguished guests, and she must sit there;” placing a chair at the foot of the bed, where Rachel could have a good view of Florence; ”the rest of you may sit where you've a mind to, and I'll do the honors.”
”I'll keep Florence company,” said Julia Thayer, as she seated herself on the foot of the bed. ”Now, Miss Brown, you can help Miss Berkley open the champagne.”
”Will it pop?” asked Sarah, clapping her hands over her ears.
”Of course it will, if it's worth anything,” replied Marion. ”But you needn't be frightened; I'm only going to loosen the wires a little; we don't want to commence with champagne.”