Two Little Women on a Holiday | Page 7

I'm
wildly excited over it! Do you know why he has asked us? I'm not sure,
myself, but I know there's a reason, and it's a secret. I heard aunt and
father talking about it when I was home at Christmas time, but when I
drifted into the room, they shut up like clams. However, we'll have one
gay old time! Think of being in New York a whole week! I don't want
to take any of the girls from here, for fear they'd bring back tales. Don't
you bring anybody you can't trust. Oh, I've laid lots of plans, but I won't
tell you about them till I see you. Bring all your best clothes, and ask
your father for quite a lot of money, though I suppose Uncle Jeff will
give us some. I can scarcely wait for the time to come!
"Devotedly yours, "ALICIA."

"What does she mean by a secret reason for your going?" asked Dolly.
"I haven't an idea," replied Bernice. "My father knows, though, I'm
quite sure, 'cause he smiled at that part of Alicia's letter. But he
wouldn't tell me. He only said, 'Oh, pshaw, nothing of any consequence.
It's very natural that a lonely old bachelor uncle should want to see his
little girl nieces, and it's very kind and thoughtful of him to ask you to
bring friends.' He says Uncle Jeff is not fond of company, and spends
all his time by himself. He's a scientist or naturalist or something, and
works in his study all day. So, dad says, it'll be fine for us girls to have
four of us to be company for each other."
"It's gorgeous!" sighed Dotty, in an ecstasy of anticipation. "But what
does your cousin mean by bringing a lot of money? We can't do
that,--and our parents don't let us spend much money ourselves,
anyway."
"Oh, that'll be all right," said Bernice, carelessly. "We won't need much
money. And if we go to matinees, or anything like that, of course, I'll
pay, if Uncle Jeff doesn't. You two girls are my guests, you know. You
needn't take any money at all."
"All right," said Dolly, and dismissed the subject. Money did not figure
very largely in her affairs, as, except for a small allowance for trifles,
she never handled any. Nor did Dotty, as these two were still looked
upon as children by their parents.
But motherless Bernice bought her own clothes and paid her own bills;
and so generous was her father, that there was no stint, and as a
consequence, she too, cared and thought little about money as a
consideration.
"I'm a little scared of that Alicia person," said Dolly to Dotty as they
walked home from school.
"Pooh! I'm not. She's no richer than Bernie."
"It isn't that. I'm not afraid of rich people. But she seems so grown up

and--well, experienced."
"Well, sixteen is grown up. And we're getting there, Dolly. I shall put
up my hair while I'm in New York."
"Why, Dot Rose! Really?"
"Yes, that is if Alicia does. Bernice often does, you know."
"I know it. I'll ask mother if I may."
"Goodness, Dolly, can't you decide a thing like that for yourself? What
would your mother care?"
"I'd rather ask her," returned the conscientious Dolly.
Mrs. Fayre smiled when Dolly put the question. "I've been expecting
that," she said. "You'd better do as the others do, dear. If they twist up
their pigtails, you do the same."
"I'll show you how," offered Trudy. "If you're going to do it, you may
as well learn a becoming fashion."
So Trudy taught her little sister how to coil up her yellow, curly mop in
a correct fashion, and very becoming it was to Dolly.
But it made her look a year or two older than she was.
"Oh!" exclaimed her mother, when she saw her, "Where's my baby?
I've lost my little girl!"
"Just as well," said Dolly, delighted at her achievement and pirouetting
before a mirror. "it's time I began to be a little grown up, mother."
"Yes, I suppose it is. I felt just the same when Trudy put up her curls
for the first time. I am a foolish old thing!"
"Now, don't you talk like that," cried Dolly, "or I'll pull down my hair
and wear it in tails till I'm fifty!"

"No, dear; do as you like about it. And, if you want to wear it that way
while you're in New York, do. It's all right."
More discussions came with the new dresses. Mrs. Fayre was for
keeping to the more youthful models, but Mrs. Hose felt that the girls
should have slightly older styles. Bernice's frocks were almost young
ladyish, but those were not copied.
Dotty and Dolly always had their