“Oh, no, it isn’t, Auntie,” said Dolly, who was patting her aunt on both cheeks as she talked. “You see, all the boys and girls love Lady Eliza ’most as much as we do. And they’d be glad to have it be her party, too.”
“Well, we’ll have to talk it over, and see about it,” said Miss Rachel; “but now it’s time for you to run and get ready for tea.”
“All right, Auntie. But _do_ decide soon, for Eliza is _so_ impatient to know.”
“Tell her she’ll have to wait, Dolly. But I’ll let her know by to-morrow, if that will do.”
“Yes, Auntie, that will do, I’m sure;” and with a final pat and a kiss, Dolly skipped away.
After further discussion, and some coaxing on the part of the twins, Miss Rachel decided that the party, though of course for Dick and Dolly, might be nominally for Lady Eliza. And so they made up an invitation like this, and Miss Abbie wrote them in her neat hand:
Miss Dolly Dana Master Dick Dana and Lady Eliza Dusenbury request the pleasure of Miss Phyllis Middleton’s company on Thursday afternoon from four to seven o’clock at Dana Dene. You are invited to bring a friend whose company will be congenial to the Lady Eliza.
“Aren’t they the greatest ever!” exclaimed Dick, dancing about the table where Aunt Abbie was writing the notes.
“I doubt if those who are invited will know what that last clause means,” said Aunt Abbie.
“Oh, yes, they will, for we’ll tell them,” said Dolly. “Of course we’ll see them all between now and the party. There’s a whole week, you know. I’ll tell every one to bring a doll or something for Eliza’s part of the party. And she must have a new dress, auntie.”
“Yes; something gay and festive, of course. What would you like?”
“Pink tarlatan,” said Dolly, promptly. “With lots of ruffles, and a lace bertha, and a pink sash, and let her wear my pink coral beads. Oh, Auntie! won’t she look just sweet!”
“And flowers in her hair,” chimed in Dick; “and a big, big bouquet, in her hand. Whew! She’ll be a stunner!”
As tarlatan was an inexpensive material, and easy to make up, Aunt Abbie humoured Dolly’s whim, and Lady Eliza had a beautiful new frock for the occasion.
Dolly herself picked out just the right shade of watermelon pink, and she helped a little, too, gathering flounces, and running up breadths, but Aunt Abbie made most of the pretty gown, and it didn’t take very long either.