CHAPTER X
A LAWN PARTY "WITH BOYS!"
The day was perfect--an item of much importance where lawn parties areconcerned. Dorothy and Tavia were kept in ignorance of the testimonialthat had been arranged in their honor, and were now, at one hour beforethe appointed time, dressing for an afternoon with Alice. Ned and Natwere to go with them and then--
"I am going to dress in my brand new challie," Tavia announced toDorothy, as she left for that operation. "I'll show Miss Cucumber whatI can look like when I do dress up."
"I'll wear my cadet blue linen," said Dorothy, "I think that such apretty dress."
"Splendiferous!" agreed Tavia, "and so immensely becoming. Well, letus get there on time. I am just dying to say things at, not to, MissCuke."
"Tavia!" but that young lady was out of reach of the admonition Dorothywas wont to administer. The Green Violet, the Green Vegetable and allthe other Greens seemed sufficiently abusive to Dorothy, but she wasdetermined not to tolerate the latest epithet Tavia had coined to takethe place of that name--Viola Green.
"Of course," admitted Dorothy, reflecting upon Tavia's new word, "Violadoes seem sour, and her name is Green, but that is no reason why weshould make an enemy of her. She might make it very unpleasant atGlenwood School."
Ned and Nat arrived just as Dorothy finished dressing. They had beeninvited over the telephone by Alice, who, in taking them into the lawnparty plot, had arranged that they bring Dorothy and Tavia ostensiblyto spend the afternoon with her.
Scarcely had the cousins' greeting been exchanged when Tavia made herappearance. She did look well in the new challie--one of the schooldresses so lately acquired through Mrs. White's good management.
"We had better go at once," said Ned, after speaking a word to Tavia."I am really anxious to become better acquainted with Miss Alice. Sheseems such a jolly girl."
"And as good as gold!" declared Dorothy warmly. "We all just loveAlice!"
"I am sure you do. I would to--if I had a chance," joked Ned.
Along the road Tavia was with Nat as usual, trying to find someheretofore unfound item of interest in reviewing the ride in the policewagon. But concerning the interference of the stranger, Viola Green,Tavia was silent. Nat might say something that would spoil Tavia'sidea of the joke on Viola.
Reaching the MacAllister gate both boys wondered that no sign of thefestivities were apparent. Even upon the very threshold of the statelyold mansion not a sound betrayed the expected lawn party. Aliceanswered the ring and, with a pleasant greeting, showed the companyinto the reception room, then, as she drew back the portiers opening upthe long parlor there was a wild shout:
"Surprise! Surprise on Dorothy! Surprise on Tavia!" And the nextmoment there was such an "outpouring," as Tavia termed the hilarity,that neither Dorothy nor Tavia could find herself, so tangled had eachone become with all the others in their joyous enthusiasm.
It was a complete surprise. This fact made the affair especiallyenjoyable--girls do love to keep secrets in spite of all proverbialstatements to the contrary.
"Didn't you even guess?" quizzed May Egner, addressing Dorothy.
"Never suspected a thing," declared Dorothy, as she finally managed tomake her way to a cozy little seat in the arch, and there ensconced,began a pleasant chat with May Egner.
"Nettie is responsible for the boys," May began. "She was a committeeof one on them. But she declares she never invited that Tom Burbank,see him over there with Viola? And Alice is a little put out about it.He is a stranger, you know, and none of the boys seem to take him up."
"I am glad there are boys here," remarked Dorothy, looking pleasantlyabout the room and noting how well the Dalton boys had turned out, andwhat a really good-looking set they were. "But surely someone musthave invited Tom Burbank."
"I suspect Viola," whispered May. "She seems to have something privateto say to him and insists no one else shall hear it. Just see wherethey are."
In a most secluded nook indeed, a very small cozy corner under thestairway, could be seen the pair in question. Viola lookedparticularly pretty in a light green muslin that brought out toperfection the delicate tints of her rather pale face. Her dark hairwas turned up in a "bun," and it might be said, in passing, that noother girl in the room had assumed such a young lady-like effect.This, with her society manners, and Tom at her elbow, easily gave Violaa star position at the lawn party.
Tavia was still gasping over her "surprise." The boys found it amatter of ease to become at once a part of the party where Tavia wasconcerned. They might have felt a trifle awkward before she came, thisbeing the social debut of most of them, but when Tavia, "got going," asthey expressed it, there was an end to all embarrassment.
Like a queen she sat on the low couch, her head thrown back in mockscorn, while not less than a half dozen boys wielded palm leaf fansabout her, in true oriental fashion. Someone brought a hassock for herfeet, then another ran to the porch and promptly returned with a longspray of honeysuckle that was pressed into a crown for her head; Aliceconfiscated a Japanese parasol from the side wall for her "slave" toshade her with and then--
The couch was the kind without a back support, cartridge cushions underthe rolled ends finishing the antique design. Against one of theseTavia was resting, but no sooner had all her accessories been completedthan her suite fell into line, four "slaves" making hold of the couch,lifting it majestically from its place, and with the air of Romanhistory, "gents" solemnly marching off with the queen and her retinuein full swing.
George Mason was chief waver--that is, he had the post of honor, nextthe "chariot" with his fan.
"Ki-ah!" he called, "Tavy-wavy-Ki-yah!"
This was the signal for a solemn chant in which all of the twenty boyspresent, including Ned and Nat, but not Tom Burbank, participated.
"Ki-ah!" called the leader.
"Ki-ah!" answered the retinue.
"Loddy-Shoddy, Wack-fi-Oddy Ki-ah!" sang out the head "Yamma," whileQueen Octavia smiled majestically at her subjects, and bore the honorthrust upon her as gracefully as if born heir to an Indian throne.
The girls were bending and fanning and bowing, some even endeavoring tokiss the queen's hand as she passed.
"It takes boys to find fun," remarked Alice, "But see here, Yum-kim, orLoddy-Shoddy, whoever may be in authority," called Alice, "please bringback that couch, very carefully now, when you have dumped the queen onthe lawn."
At this the slaves stopped, but did not dump their queen. Instead,they slowly lowered the chariot, and even assisted her to alight.
"Thanks, awfully," said Tavia, in common English, "I suppose that honoris saved for most persons' funerals. It's something to have triedit--I think Indian funeral marches perfectly lovely. I must die inIndia."
"Funeral march! Well, I like that!" groaned George Mason. "Of all thefrosts--"
"That, my dear queen," declared Ralph Wilson, "was your triumphantprocession-all! Did you notice the procesh? Funeral indeed! Youwould never get off that easy with a funeral in India."
Viola was standing on the porch smiling pleasantly. Somehow she seemedvery agreeable to-day. Dorothy noticed how cordially she had greetedher, and even Tavia felt she should certainly have to be civil to the"Green Violet" if the latter kept her "manners going."
"Introduce me to your cousins," said Viola affably, coming up to whereDorothy stood.
"Certainly," answered Dorothy. "I was waiting for an opportunity. Thequeen-show took all our attention."
"Wasn't it splendid," and Viola seemed to have enjoyed the fun. "I dothink boys do the funniest things."
"Yes, they certainly are original. I have two small brothers and theykeep me going."
"How lovely to have brothers!" remarked Viola. "I am all alone athome."
"It must be lonely," sympathized Dorothy, "but then, you can haveeverything your own way."
"Just like lying abed on a holiday," said Viola, "one never enjoys it.I believe we always want wha
t we cannot get, and scarcely everappreciate what we have."
"I find it that way sometimes," admitted Dorothy, "but to make sure Iam not mistaken I often suppose myself without that which I fail toappreciate. It is a good test of one's real self, you know."
"But a lot of trouble," sighed Viola. "I take things as they come--andalways want more, or to be rid of some. But I have one real love, andthat's music. I was called Viola because my dear grandfather was acelebrated violinist, and perhaps that is why I have such a passion formusic."
"Do you play?" asked Dorothy, interested.
"Yes, I study the piano and violin, but of course I like the violinbest. There is one of your cousins--"
"Nat!" called Dorothy, as that boy ran across the lawn. "Come overhere a minute, if you can spare time from that un-understandable game."
"Don't you know that game?" asked Nat, coming up to the rustic benchupon which the two girls were seated. "Why, I'm surprised. That is agenuine American game 'Follow the Leader.'"
"Let me introduce you to a friend," began Dorothy, indicating Viola."This is Miss Green--Mr. Nat White."
Nat bowed and spoke pleasantly--he was no country boy. Viola hadnoticed that long ago.
"Viola has just been telling me her one hobby is music," said Dorothy,to start the small talk, "and she studies the violin. I think it somuch more interesting than the piano," she commented.
"Oh, I've tried it," admitted Nat. "It is more interesting for others,but when it comes home to a fellow it is awfully scratchy andmonotonous. But I suppose Miss Viola has gone past that period. Istuck there."
"That is because you did not start early enough," said Viola. "To doanything with the violin one ought to start before the squeaks andscratches can be realized."
"Good idea," agreed Nat. "That work should certainly be done inthe--sub--conscious state."
"I'll leave you to settle the violin," said Dorothy, "while I pay myrespects to Mrs. MacAllister. She has just come out, and wasn't itsplendid of her to let us all come here?"
Dorothy made her way across the lawn to the knot of girls where Mrs.MacAllister was gracefully presiding.
But instantly Tavia saw that Nat was alone with Viola--the very thingshe wanted to avoid. Nat might tell her the truth about the "chariotrace," as the police patrol ride had become known. Besides, Violacould find out so many things from an unsuspecting boy.
"Come with me," said Tavia to Nettie, dragging the innocent girl along."I want to present you to a friend of mine. Do you see that boy overthere? The best looking fellow here? Well, he's a friend of mine."
"Delighted--I'm sure," agreed Nettie. "But what about the other girl?Miss Nile Green?"
"Cut her out," said Tavia, in her most business-like way, using theslang with the old as well as the newer significance.
"Certainly," responded Nettie, with a coquettish toss of her head."I'm on the boys committee--as a matter of fact they are all here in mycare," and straightforth the pair made for Viola's bench.
"Wasn't it too funny!" Viola was exclaiming as Tavia came up.
"I should think so," they heard Nat answer, "But Dorothy was ready to--"
"Hush!" whispered Viola, but the warning was just a moment too late,for Tavia heard it. Then Viola said something that Tavia did not hear.
Nat was very pleasant to Nettie. It was evident the introduction hadbroken in on something interesting to Viola, if not to Nat, but he gaveno sign of the interference being annoying, although the girl was notso tactful.
"Nettie is the committee on boys," declared Tavia, "so I thought ithigh time she had a chance to censure you--I mean to look over yourcredentials."
"Well, if you and the others would join me in a swallow of thatlemonade I see under yonder tree, Miss Nettie,--No, not you Tavia, norMiss Green? Then we will have to drink alone, for I am deadlythirsty," and at this he walked away with Nettie, leaving Viola on thebench with Tavia.
"Oh, there's Tom looking for me," exclaimed Viola, jumping upinstantly, "won't you let me introduce you, Tavia?" (she actually saidTavia!) "He's a stranger and some out of place."
"Yes," said Tavia vaguely, probably referring to the "out of place"clause, and not exactly giving assent to the introduction.
Then came Viola's turn--she left Tavia with Tom and as promptly madeher own escape!
"Of all the--clams," Tavia was saying to herself, rather rudely, itmust be confessed.
But Tom evidently liked Tavia, at any rate he talked to her and showeda remarkable aptness in keeping up the tete-a-tete, "against allcomers," said Nat to himself, noticing the monopoly.
"That's the time Miss Tavia was beaten at her own game," was Viola'ssecret comment. "How glad I am to get rid of that bore. I heartilywish I--that he had not been asked."
"What do you think of that?" inquired Alice of Dorothy, observing thegirl's change of partners. "Look at Nat with Viola and Tavia with Tom!"
"I would like to hear what Tavia has to say," and Dorothy smiled at theidea of Tavia's possible conversation. "I'm just dying to tell herthat Viola's name did not come from the vegetable kingdom."
"We had really better break up these little confabs," said Alice,feeling her responsibility as hostess, "or we may have reason to doubtthe advisability of giving a lawn party with boys."
"The simplest games will be the most enjoyable, I think," suggestedDorothy. "I would begin with 'drop the handkerchief.'"
"Fine idea," replied Alice. "But notice how many times Tom gets a'drop.' I'll bet the girls will be afraid he would keep thehandkerchief. He looks girlie enough to fancy one with lace on," andat this Alice went forth to inaugurate the old-time game.