Part 27 (2/2)
”Oh, no,” drawled Bess
”Cer-tain-ly not,” added Cora in a teasing tone
”Well, go on with your 'doings,'” insisted Belle ”I won't estion”
”Not make them; but veto them,” persisted Cora ”Well, then, never mind, sissy You sometimes have splendid ideas, even if they are all sterilized”
”And when they are disclosed the sterilization gets away,” put in Bess ”That's what mother's nurse declared e tried on those aprons that coes But now, Cora, let's have a lawn party”
”Wouldn't it be nicer to have an out-door play?” asked Belle, who had forgotten her resolution not to estion
”Oh, dear! I suppose we'll have to have it in the afternoon, when our nurses can be with us,” said Bess ”We're supposed to be such kiddies--not out yet, and all that It's detestable--”
”Indeed,” interrupted Cora, ” affair, and also out of doors, if I like Since rown up”
”Out of doors! And after dark!” cried Bess ”That's great!” and she clapped her hands ”Oh, let's have it a masked affair I never have been to one in all irls, let's be serious,” suggested Cora, ”for I haven't any too ht to have it in June, e can depend on having a pleasant evening Suppose we plan a reen cavern, presided over by: er--ue of passing shades from earth to some place, and where did he pass 'em to?”
”You mean Charon,” said Belle ”But, Cora Kiical frocks that would stand daht air?
Of course, they would be coe somehow At any rate, we'll have a masked 'doin',' that's settled”
”That's all that really counts,” said Bess
”Masks?” questioned Cora ”Just mask in order to be of soirls--and the chances of pretending you s you are just dying to say, and would not dare to say if you weren't masked All that--But hush!+ Here coreeted her brother, and at the sight of Jack, Bess and Belle adjusted themselves in more conventional attitudes ”How are you all?” he went on ”Sis, here's a letter for you I kept it in et to give it to you”
”Awfully kind of you, Jack”
Cora glanced at the poste, loose sleeve of her gown
”Oh, youfrankly at Jack ”We don't mind”
”Not in the least,” came from Jack as he took a chair next to Isabel ”In fact, ould be glad to have you do so Go ahead, sis
Help yourself,” he went on pleasantly, dipping into the chocolate box
”It will keep,” said Cora quickly ”But, Jack, what's new? Formore about--”
”Yes, a lot about it,” and Jack anticipated his sister's question
”I hear that the sleuths have a straight tip They told Ed this afternoon that they would have his money back inside of a--”
”Oh, isn't that fine!” broke in Belle ”I have been so uncomfortable ever since that affair happened and they found the empty wallet in poor, dear Cora's car It looked just as if we--”