Jannet opened the window and propped it as before. Fresh, misty air came in to sweeten the close attic atmosphere. There was only a gentle patter of drops upon the roof so close to their heads and Nell said that it was an ideal day for old attics. Jannet disclosed her plan, which was to see everything first that looked interesting and then after dinner to dress up in old costumes and explore the rest of the attic, unless Nell would rather not do that.
The big trunk came first in order. Jannet, with her big bunch of keys found the right one and opened it. She spread some papers, which she had brought with her, over the bulging top of the little bed and its bundles and upon the top of the large chest. Paulina's housekeeping was not to be criticised, but attics were very likely to gather dust. Then she began to take out the neatly folded garments, some to be looked at and laid aside on the papers, others to be exclaimed over. "O Jannet!" Nell exclaimed. "If your uncle gives these things to you, I'd fix some of them up and wear them, though it would be a pity to change them!"
But Jannet shook her head. "Uncle has a daughter, though I suppose that I have as much right to these things as any one. I may have some of mother's dresses fixed for myself, because I'd love to wear them, but these ought to stay as they are. I wonder if we can't have a real costume party some day, Nell,--look here!"
Jannet held up and shook out a gay silk costume, with skirt, blouse, sheer and thin, and a laced velvet bodice. That was not very old, the girls thought. Perhaps Jannet's mother had worn that some time. There was a funny clown's costume and a velvet colonial suit in gray and blue, with silk hose and buckled shoes and a three-cornered hat. Jannet said that it was almost the prettiest thing there.
A gypsy outfit included a tambourine and when Jannet danced around over the attic floor with it, she stopped the performance to see Cousin Di standing in the attic door and laughing at her. The light clapping of Cousin Diana's hands was the only announcement of her presence.
"O Cousin Di, come in!" called Jannet, running to that lady and drawing her within. "_Can_ we have a party and dress up some time?"