Part 5 (2/2)
”We got eight pounds, fifteen and twopence halfpenny in the collecting boxes this afternoon,” announced Viola, ”and we ought to drink the health of the Prince of Wales's Fund in cocoa. We'll have a little rag-time fun, too, just among ourselves.”
”All serene!” agreed Diana. ”This child's always ready for sport. What about biscuits?”
”We may send out for what we like. I interviewed the Great Panjandrum, and she was affability itself.”
”Good! Cocoanut fingers for me. And perhaps a few Savoys.”
”Right-o! Make your list. Tomlinson is to go and fetch them.”
”We shall have to borrow cups from the kitchen,” said Dorrie, who had been investigating inside the cupboard. ”Since that last smash we're rather low down in our china--only four cups left intact.”
”Go and ask the cook for five more, then.”
”Five? That'll only make nine.”
”Quite enough.”
”Aren't you going to invite Katrine Marsden?”
Viola pulled a long face.
”Is it necessary? She doesn't consider herself one of the Sixth.”
”But she is, really. It seems rather marked to leave her out.”
”Oh, well!” rather icily. ”Ask her if you like, of course. I'm sure I don't want to keep her out of things if she cares to join in.”
Dorrie accordingly ran up to the studio, where Katrine was sitting putting a few finis.h.i.+ng touches to the study of tulips upon which she had been engaged during the last week.
”We're having a cocoa party at eight in our study. Awfully pleased to see you. Just our own form,” announced Dorrie heartily.
”Thanks very much,” returned Katrine casually, ”but I really don't think I shall have time to come. I want to finish these tulips.”
”Isn't it getting too dark for painting?”
”Oh, no! The light's good for some time yet, and Miss Aubrey's probably coming upstairs to go on with her still-life study. I love sitting with her. She's most inspiring.”
”Comme vous voulez, mademoiselle!” answered Dorrie, retiring in high dudgeon to report to her fellow-monitresses. They were most indignant at the slight.
”Cheek!”
”Turns up her nose at our invitation, does she?”
”She can please herself, I'm sure.”
”She's no loss, at any rate.”
”Look here!” said Dorrie. ”I've got an idea. We'll pay her out for this.
She's counting on Miss Aubrey going to sit with her in the studio, and having a delightful _tete a tete_. Let's ask Miss Aubrey to our cocoa party.”
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