I stepped lightly down the narrow stairway, and entered the
cosy sitting room, where the family were assembled, with a pleasant,
careless countenance.
They were engaged in a lively discussion when I came into the room;
cousin Bessie had just conveyed the tidings, that an invitation had
been left that afternoon for "Zita and Amey" from Mrs. Wayland
Rutherby, asking them to go in on the following day, as Pansy and Lulu
Rutherby had a young lady staying with them, and would like to
introduce her to their friends. "Louis and Papa and myself" she was
just adding, "are expected to drop in after dinner, when there will be
music and a little dancing."
"Did you say we would go, Cousin, Bessie?" I put in, coming towards
her and drawing up a seat beside hers.
"Of course, you will go," she answered emphatically. "Sophie Rutherby
is my old school-friend, and we never refuse her."
"But I prefer not to go Cousin Bessie, I have not been out anywhere
since--my father's death."
"Nonsense child! you are not going to mope away your young life like
this," she broke in indignantly, "however, if you have any scruples,
you can come away after dinner, before the active pleasures
begin--there will be no one there in the afternoon but you and Zita.
Surely you cannot object to that."
So it was settled, that we were to go to Mrs. Rutherby's, and the
eventful afternoon came in due time. Zita was a little longer than
usual before her looking-glass on that occasion, and was as pretty and
fresh as a mountain daisy, when she came down at last to join me
below.
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