them silently up the hill. Almost on the edge perched a small grey house with lavender shutters, and on its long, screened porch stood a grey, weather-beaten spinning wheel and a lavender table. “Let’s eat out here,” proposed Anne, leading the way to the end of the porch. Patricia could have hugged her; for she didn’t want to go in and meet her fellow traveler. He might even think she was following him up. “O. K.,” agreed Hazel, slipping into a chair. “You go in and get a waitress, Nanny. I’m starved.” “So am I,” replied Anne. “There was no diner on the train, and all Patricia and I had was some sweet chocolate.” “I’m not so hungry—” began Jane. “You are not hungry! Did I hear aright?” asked Hazel. “That girl can always eat,” she added, to Patricia. “Well, you see I got pretty well fed up at home during the summer, but just wait until I’ve been here a couple of weeks, and I’ll get back to my old habits.” “The meals at Horton Hall are the limit,” said Hazel, “as you’ll find to your sorrow, Patricia. We spend all our spare change, and some we can’t well spare, at the various tea rooms around College Hill.” “What shall we have?” asked Anne, returning at that moment, followed by a waitress, and sitting down opposite Hazel. “This is on me, to celebrate Patricia’s coming.” “Chicken patty, French pastry, and iced tea,” replied Hazel promptly. “Waffles, maple syrup, and ice cream,” said Jane. “How terrible! Think of your ‘figger,’ darling. You’ve put on about ten pounds this summer,” teased Hazel. “I’ll take shrimp salad, Danish pastry, and pineapple sherbet,” said Patricia, when Anne looked at her. “Chicken sandwiches, brownies, and ginger ale for me,” said Anne, completing the order. As the waitress disappeared, she leaned both elbows on the table and announced in low tones, “They’re not in the dining room, but Lu’s bag is in the hall.” “Perhaps they’re out in the coffee room,” suggested Hazel. “I’ll go and see.” “Don’t,” objected Jane quickly. “We don’t want them to think we’re spying on them.”
Prev.
Back
Top