Part 51 (2/2)

Then Blue Bonnet found a little frock of pale pink crepe de chine; something she had long wanted; and Carita cast her lot with Ruth and Susy, selecting an organdy not unlike theirs, and a coat of blue broadcloth.

It was a happy party that filed out of the store an hour later, after all accessories to the costumes had been found and purchased.

Luncheon was a merry feast, enjoyed at the Touraine; as was also the motor ride in the afternoon. But the real joy of the day came with the dinner in the evening. The table, according to Blue Bonnet's instructions, had been laid in the Palm Room. Miss Clyde much preferred a private dining-room; but Blue Bonnet had insisted that half the fun was in seeing the life at the hotel, and Miss Clyde finally withdrew her objections.

Mr. Ashe sat at the head of the table with Mrs. Clyde at his right and Mrs. White at his left. At the opposite end sat Miss Clyde, and the Lambs and the We Are Sevens alternated about the board. Annabel Jackson had Kitty Clark under her wing; while Sue Hemphill entertained Amanda.

An arrangement which proved entirely satisfactory, judging from the merriment that came from their respective quarters.

Blue Bonnet, glancing at her guests, indulged in the utmost satisfaction. The Lambs were charming in the new gowns; but, thanks to Uncle Cliff, not a whit more so than her beloved We Are Sevens--a fact which the Lambs themselves appreciated. Joy Cross, between Blue Bonnet and kind-hearted Wee Watts, looked very happy.

The place cards caused great amus.e.m.e.nt; and it is safe to say that each one found its way into a memory book for future reference and pleasure.

Patty Paine, gifted in art, had painted them charmingly, while Angela Dare, despite her scorn for mere ”doggerel,” had penned a verse suitable to each guest. Jokes and jests were the order of the evening. Each girl had been asked to bring her best story, and consequently there were no lapses into silence or stupid pauses during courses.

”It has been the most wonderful success, Blue Bonnet,” Annabel whispered, as the party left the table. ”And I _did so_ enjoy Kitty Clark. I couldn't keep my eyes off her.”

”I'm so glad, Annabel,” Blue Bonnet answered, giving the hand in her own a squeeze. ”We must hurry a bit now. We're going to the Plymouth to see 'Pomander Walk.' They say it's dear.”

The play came up to expectations. The girls enjoyed it hugely. Enjoyed it just as they enjoyed the supper at the Touraine later--with the enthusiasm of youth and good health.

”Uncle Cliff,” Blue Bonnet said, when they were finally back at the hotel, and she was saying good night at his own door, ”I believe this has been the very happiest day of my life. I can't begin to thank you for it; you've been so good--and so generous. Wasn't it splendid the way the girls took to the dresses--and Aunt Lucinda having that appointment just at that hour? It seemed almost as if--as if the fairies had had a hand in it all, didn't it? We couldn't have arranged it better if we'd tried. But I'm afraid I did Aunt Lucinda an injustice. She didn't mind about our getting the girls the dresses at all. I believe she liked it.

She said it was a great privilege to be able to give so much happiness.”

And stooping to kiss Blue Bonnet, Mr. Ashe asked:

”You were satisfied, then, Honey? It went off as well as you had expected? You are quite content?”

Blue Bonnet hesitated before she replied.

”What is it, Honey? Speak up. Have we left something undone?”

”There's just one thing, Uncle Cliff. I'm almost ashamed to mention it in the face of all you've done to-day--but--it's about Gabriel. If we could only do something for the poor little fellow. Oh, Uncle Cliff, you can't think how it hurts me to see him fading away in that place, when--when there's suns.h.i.+ne going to waste on the Blue Bonnet ranch, and ponies eating their heads off in the stables.”

”I thought of that, too, Honey, and--I wasn't going to tell you to-night, Blue Bonnet--you've had enough excitement for one day; but Miss Clyde went to see Gabriel this morning--that was her business engagement--and we're going to take the little chap to Woodford with his nurse for a while. Miss Clyde thinks that she can find a boarding-place.

When he gets stronger we'll get him down to the ranch; down into G.o.d's own country, Honey, where people have to look in the dictionary to find out what 'tuberculosis' means. There! there! I knew I shouldn't have told you to-night. You're all worn out. Come, come, Honey! the girls are waiting for you.”

But Blue Bonnet, arms about her uncle's neck, was sobbing out the gladness of her heart.

It was on the way back to the hotel from church the next day that Blue Bonnet, lagging a bit behind Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda, said to Kitty:

”I don't know whether you girls will enjoy the visit we have to pay to the relatives to-day very much or not. It won't be exciting, but Grandmother and Aunt Lucinda would be hurt if we didn't go.”

”I think it's about time we were considering somebody besides ourselves after all that's been done for us,” Kitty replied. ”I shall love to go, myself. I met your Cousin Tracy once in Woodford and I liked him ever so much.”

And the others, whether out of courtesy or not, echoed Kitty's sentiments.

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