Her speech was full of brave and noble thoughts, and Betty practised it often, and observed conscientiously her teacher's instructions as to inflections and gestures. It was easy for Betty to learn by heart; so easy, indeed, that she unconsciously learned most of the other girls' speeches by merely hearing them at rehearsals.
Often she would amuse her mother and Jack by breaking forth into some of the stilted lines of the play.
"I am Pocahontas," she would say, striking an attitude of what she considered Indian effect; "I claim the prize, Goddess, because I, in years that are past, rendered a service----"
"There, there, that will do, Betty!" Jack would cry. "You are a born actress, I know, but I'm studying my English history now, and Pocahontas doesn't belong with the Saxon kings."
"Oh, English history!" said Betty, mischievously.
Then, stalking grandly up to him, she held an umbrella for a scepter, and declaimed:
"Goddess of Honor! You see before you Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. A noble monarch, not alone in power, but in majestic traits that won for her the loyalty and adoration of her loved and loving subjects. A queen who----"
"Off with her head!" cried Jack, throwing a sofa-pillow at Betty, who promptly threw it back at him, and then ran laughing from the room.
It was not Betty's way to mourn over what couldn't be helped, so she went cheerfully with her mother to purchase the despised sailor suit. They bought the prettiest one they could find--a blue serge with white collar and cuffs and a silk sailor tie. But though it was becoming and would have looked just right had Betty been starting on a yachting cruise, it was not to be compared with the elaborate costumes most of the girls were preparing. And, though it was cold comfort, Betty was true to her word, and helped the others all she could to make their gowns effective. She lent her Roman sash, her embroidered Japanese kimono, and her spangled Egyptian scarf to girls who could use them effectively. She helped Dorothy with her Elizabethan garb, and Jeanette with her Joan of Arc costume.
As for the Goddess, Constance had a most resplendent robe. It was of soft white shimmering stuff dotted all over with gilt spangles. Billows of this material fell from her shoulders in long, graceful folds, and swept away in a rippling train. A high crown of golden filigree-work was to be worn on her beautiful, fair hair, and while in one hand she was to hold a classic scroll, in the other she was to carry aloft a long, slender, gilt trumpet. The costume was superb, and almost took Betty's breath away when she first saw it.