"All right, I will," promised the doctor. "But just assure me that you're
on my side."
"I'm on nobody's side," was all the comfort he got.
Juliet's invitations received delighted acceptances, though Wayne Carey
and Doctor Barnes would be able to come out only for the nights--in time,
however, for late and festive suppers outdoors. The tent in the orchard,
with its comfortable bunks, was accepted by all the men with enthusiasm.
"And to satisfy the men is the essential thing, you know, Tony," Juliet
had observed sagely when she saw their pleasure in their quarters. "The
girls will accept any crowding together if they have a mirror and room to
tie a sash in, as long as devoted admirers are not wanting."
The moment Miss Dresser and Miss Gerard saw Miss Rachel Redding--to quote
Anthony--the fun began. Mrs. Wayne Carey had already met her, and had been
carefully coached by Juliet as to the bearing she must assume toward
Juliet's new friend. So when Marie and Suzanne began to inquire of Judith
the latter was prepared to answer them.
"She's a beauty in her way, isn't she?" Judith asserted. "Juliet's
immensely fond of her, I should judge."
"But who is she?" demanded Suzanne.
"A neighbour, a country girl, a school and college girl, a comparatively
poor girl--and a lucky girl, for Juliet likes her."
"Have the men met her before?"
"Goodness, yes. Haven't you heard how they beg invitations home to dinner
of Anthony, just to see her?" Judith was enjoying the situation. This
statement, however, was no part of Juliet's coaching.
"I didn't see anything particularly attractive about her," said Marie
promptly. "She's a demure thing. One wouldn't think she ever lifted those
long lashes to look at a man--but that's just the kind. Awfully plainly
dressed."
"That's her style," said Suzanne. "These poor, pretty girls are once in a
while just clever enough to make capital out of their poverty by wearing
simply fetching things in pale gray dimity and dark blue lawn and
sunbonnets. Stevens Cathcart would be just the kind to be carried away
with her. Roger Barnes wouldn't look at her twice."
"Louis might pretend to admire her, to please Juliet," admitted Marie. "He
has a way of making every girl think he is in love with her--and he is, to
a certain extent. But it's never serious."
Whether it were serious in this instance Miss Dresser soon had opportunity
to judge.
After dinner that first night Anthony proposed taking all his guests out
upon the river in a big flat-boat he had rented. But when he made up the
party Rachel was not to be found.
"I'm afraid she's gone home," said Juliet.
"I'll run down and see," proposed Lockwood instantly, and was suiting the
action to the word when Cathcart got off ahead of him.
"I'll have her back presently," he called as he dashed down the road. "You
people go on--we'll catch you."
"We'll wait for you," Lockwood shouted after him.
"Why should we wait?" demurred Marie, beginning to walk away toward the
river.
"If we don't he's liable not to find it convenient to catch up with us,"
Lockwood retorted.
"If they prefer their own company why not let them have it?" she said over
her shoulder.
"Run along, Louis," murmured Doctor Barnes. "One girl at a time."
He turned to Juliet. "Shall we go?" he said.
Anthony caught his glance, and, laughing, turned to Suzanne. "Will you
console an old married man, Miss Gerard?" he inquired.
But when Cathcart reappeared, which he did very soon, Rachel was not with
him. "She said she had to stay with her mother," he explained in a tone
which so closely resembled a growl that everybody laughed.
"Bear up, Stevie, boy," chaffed Wayne Carey. "I'm confident she likes you,
but she may not like you all the time, you know. They seldom do."