CHAPTER III
THE ARRIVAL
The girls were put on the train at Berwick and as Mrs. Berry was tomeet them at the station in New York, they were allowed to make thetrip alone.
"I think this train ride the best part of the whole thing," said Dolly,as she took off her coat and hung it up beside her chair. "I do love toride in a parlour car; I wish we were to travel in it for a week."
"I like it, too," agreed Bernice. "Oh, girls, what fun we're going tohave! You won't like Uncle Jeff at first, he's awful queer; but there'sone thing sure, he'll let us do just as we like. He's verygood-natured."
"What's Mrs. Berry like?" asked Dotty. "I suppose we'll obey her?"
"Yes, but she's good-natured, too. I can twist her round my finger. Oh,we'll have a high old time."
"S'pose Mrs. Berry shouldn't be there to meet us when we get in,"suggested Dolly. "What then?"
"She will, of course," said Bernice. "But if she shouldn't, if the carbroke down or anything like that, we'd take a taxicab right to thehouse."
This sounded very grown-up and grand to the two D's, who had had littleexperience with taxicabs, and Dotty exclaimed with glee, "I'd rather dothat than go in Mr. Forbes' car! What a lark it would be! Oh, Bernice,can we go somewhere in a taxicab while we're there?"
"I don't know, Dotty,--I s'pose so. But why should we? Uncle Jeff hastwo cars, and the chauffeur will take us wherever we want to go."
"But I've never been in a taxicab,--without older people, I mean, andI'd love to try it."
"Well, I expect you can," returned Bernice, carelessly. "I dare say youcan do pretty much anything you want to."
"But do behave yourself, Dot," cautioned Dolly; "you're so daring andventuresome, I don't know what mischief you'll get into!"
"Oh, we won't get into mischief," laughed Bernice. "There'll be enoughfun, without doing anything we oughtn't to."
"Of course, I won't do anything wrong," declared Dotty, indignantly."But there are so many things to do, it sets me crazy to think of it!"
"I'm going to buy things," announced Bernice. "There aren't any decentshops in Berwick, and I'm going to get lots of things in the citystores."
"We can't do that," said Dolly, decidedly. "We haven't lots of moneylike you have, Bernie; I'm going to see things. I want to see all thepictures I possibly can. I love to look at pictures."
"I want to go to the theatre," and Dotty looked at Bernice inquiringly."Will we, do you s'pose?"
"Oh, yes, Mrs. Berry will take us. Perhaps we can go to matinees,alone."
"I don't think we ought to do that," and Dolly looked distinctlydisapproving.
"Oh, come now, old priggy-wig," said Dotty, "don't be too awfully'fraidcat!"
"It will be just as Mrs. Berry says," Bernice informed them. "Fathersaid I must obey her in everything. Uncle Jeff won't pay much attentionto what we do, but Mrs. Berry will. I wonder if Alicia will be therewhen we get there."
But Alicia wasn't. As the girls came up the stairs into the greatstation, they saw a smiling, motherly-looking lady waiting to welcomethem.
"Here you are!" she cried, and it wasn't necessary for Bernice tointroduce her friends, except to tell which was which.
"I feel as if I knew you," Mrs. Berry said, and her kindly grey eyesbeamed at them both. "Now I must learn to tell you apart. Dolly withgolden hair,--Dotty with black. Is that it?"
"Is Alicia here?" asked Bernice, eagerly.
"No; she's coming in at the other station. She won't arrive for an houror more. Where are your checks? Let George take them."
The footman took the checks and looked after them, while Mrs. Berrypiloted the girls to the waiting motor-car.
It was a large and very beautiful limousine, and they all got in, andwere soon rolling up Fifth Avenue.
"How splendid it all is!" exclaimed Dolly, looking out at the crowds."It seems as if we must get all snarled up in the traffic, but we don't."
"Kirke is a very careful driver," said Mrs. Berry, "and he understandsjust where to go. How you've grown, Bernice. I haven't seen you for twoyears, you know."
"Yes, I have. We're all getting to be grown-ups, Mrs. Berry. Isn'tAlicia?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her for a long time. But she's at a veryfashionable school, so I suppose she is full of notions."
"What are notions?" asked Dolly, smiling up into the speaker's eyes.
"Oh, notions," and Mrs. Berry laughed, "well, it's thinking you know itall yourself, and not being willing to listen to advice. I don'tbelieve you have notions, Dolly."
"No, she hasn't," said Bernice. "But Dotty and I have! However, Ipromised Dad I'd obey you, Mrs. Berry, in everything you say, so Idon't believe you'll have any trouble with us."
"Land, no! I don't expect any. Now, let me see; I've two big rooms foryou all, with two beds in each. I suppose you'll room with your cousin,Bernice, and these other two girls together?"
"Yes, indeed," said Dolly, quickly, for she had no idea of rooming withany one but Dotty.
"That settles itself, then."
"But suppose I don't like Alicia," said Bernice, doubtfully. "Supposewe quarrel."
"All right," and Mrs. Berry nodded her head, "there are other rooms. Idon't want you to be uncomfortable in any particular. I thought you'dlike it better that way. The two rooms I've fixed for you, are two bigones on the second floor. Mine is on the same floor, in the rear. Youruncle's rooms are upon the third floor."
"I think it sounds fine," declared Bernice, "and I'm sure I'll get onwith Alicia, if she does have 'notions.'"
And then they reached the big house on upper Fifth Avenue, and as theyentered, Dolly felt a little appalled at the grandeur everywhere abouther. Not so Dotty. She loved elegance, and as her feet sank into thedeep soft rugs, she laughed out in sheer delight of being in suchbeautiful surroundings. Mrs. Berry took the girls at once to theirrooms, and sent the car for Alicia.
"I'll give the front room to Dotty and Dolly," she said to Bernice;"and you can have the other. It's quite as nice, only it looks out onthe side street, not on the Avenue."
"That's right, Mrs. Berry. Dot and Dolly are more company than Aliciaand I are. We're really members of the family. I was so surprised atUncle Jeff's inviting us. Why did he do it, anyway?"
"Why, indeed!" said Mrs. Berry, but her expression was quizzical. "Noone can tell why Mr. Forbes does things! He is a law unto himself. Now,girls, your trunks are coming up. And here are two maids to unpack foryou and put your things away. You can direct them."
Mrs. Berry bustled away, and two neat-looking maids appeared, one ofwhom entered Bernice's room and the other attended on Dot and Dolly.
"Which frocks shall I leave out for dinner?" the maid asked, as sheshook out and hung up the dresses in the wardrobe.
"The blue voile for me," replied Dolly, "and--er--what is your name?"
"Foster, miss," and she smiled at Dolly's gentle face.
"And the rose-coloured voile for me," directed Dotty. "You'll find,Foster, that our frocks are pretty much alike except as to colour."
"Yes, ma'am. And these patent leather pumps, I daresay?"
"Yes, that's right," and Dotty flung herself into a big easy-chair andsighed in an ecstasy of delight that she really had a ladies' maid towait on her. Dolly didn't take it so easily. She wanted to look afterher own things, as she did at home. But Dotty motioned to her not to doso, lest Foster should think them inexperienced or countrified.
Their simple belongings were soon in place, and the two D's wanderedinto Bernice's room.
Here everything was helter-skelter. Finery was piled on beds andchairs, and hats were flung on top of one another, while shoes andveils, gloves and hair-brushes were scattered on the floor.
"It's my fault," laughed Bernice, "don't blame Perkins for it! I'mhunting for a bracelet, that has slipped out of my jewel case, somehow.It must be in this lot of stockings!"
It wasn't, but it turned up at last, inside of a hat, and Bernice gavea little squeal of relie
f.
"That's all right, then!" she cried; "I wouldn't lose that for worlds!It's a bangle father gave me for Christmas, and it has a diamond in thependant. All right, Perkins, put the things away any place you like.But save hooks and shelves enough for my cousin Alicia. She'll be inthis room with me."
Each large room had what seemed to the two little women ample room forclothes. But Bernice had brought so much more than they did, that herthings overflowed the space provided.
"I'll wear this to-night, for dinner," she said, pulling out a lightgreen silk from a pile of frocks.
"Oh, Bernie!" exclaimed Dotty; "not that! That's a party dress, isn'tit?"
"Not exactly. I've more dressy ones. But it is a little fussy for aquiet evening at home, I suppose. Well, what shall I wear?"
"This?" and Dotty picked out a simple challie.
"Oh, gracious, no! That's a morning frock. I guess I'll stick to thegreen. Don't you think so, Perkins?"
"Yes, miss. It's a lovely gown." The maid was interested in the girls,her life in the quiet house being usually most uneventful. This suddeninvasion of young people was welcomed by all the servants, and therewere many in Jefferson Forbes' palatial home. Mrs. Berry had engagedseveral extra ones to help with the increased work, but the two maidsassigned to the girls were trusted and tried retainers.
And then, there was a bustle heard downstairs, a peal of laughter and aperfect flood of chatter in a high, shrill voice, and with a boundingrun up the staircase, Alicia burst into the room where the three girlswere.
"Hello, Bernice, old girl!" she shouted, and flung her arms around hercousin's neck, giving her resounding smacks on her cheek. "Golly!Molly! Polly! but I'm glad to see you again! Forgotten me, have you?Take a good look! Your long lost Alicia! 'Tis really she! And lookwho's here! I'll bet a pig these two stammering, blushing young missesare the far-famed Dolly and Dotty, but which is which?"
"Guess!" said Dotty, laughing, as Dolly stood dismayed, and halffrightened at this whirlwind of a girl.
"All right, I'll guess. Lemmesee! Dolly Fayre and Dotty Rose;--you seeI know your names. Why, the fair one is Dolly of course, and thatleaves Dotty to be you!"
"Right!" cried Dotty, and Alicia flew to her and grabbed her asenthusiastically as she had Bernice.
"Oh, you chickabiddy!" she cried. "I foresee we shall be chums! I loveTowhead, too, but I'm a little afraid of her. See her steely blue eyes,even now, fixed on me in utter disapprobation!"
"Not at all," said Dolly, politely, "I think you're very nice."
The calm demureness of this speech was too much for Alicia, and shewent off in peals of laughter.
"Oh, you're rich!" she cried; "simpully rich! WON'T we have fun! I'm'most afraid I'll love you more'n the other one--the black hairedwitch." And then Dolly was treated to an embrace that ruffled her hairand collar and came near ruffling her temper. For Dolly didn't likesuch sudden familiarity, but her good manners kept her from showing herannoyance.
"Oh, you don't fool me!" cried Alicia; "I know you think I'm awful! Toorambunctious and all that! But I'm used to it! At school they call meThat Awful Alicia! How's that?"
"Fine, if you like it--and I believe you do!" laughed Dolly.
"Mind reader! I say, Bernice, where am I to put my togs! You'vesquatted on every available foot of property in this room! I thought itwas to be ours together! But every single bed in the room is coveredwith your rags. I've two trunks of duds, myself."
"Two trunks! Why did you bring so much?"
"Had to have it. There's lots of things I carry around with me besideclothes. Why, I've brought a whole chafing-dish outfit."
"Goodness, Alicia," exclaimed Bernice, "do you think Uncle Jeff won'tgive us enough to eat?"
"I take no chances. But it isn't that. It's thusly. Say we're out of anevening, and on returning, are sent straight to beddy-by. Howcomforting to have the necessary for a little spread of our own! Oh,I've tried it out at school, and I can tell you there's something init. But, where, ladies and gentlemen, WHERE I ask you, can I put it?Bernice has all the places full."
"Leave it in your trunk," suggested Dolly, "until you want to use it."
"Angel child!" cried Alicia. "I knew you had some brain concealed amongthat mop of yellow silk floss! I'll do that same, and be thankful if myvoracious cousin leaves me enough room for a few scant and skimpyclodings!"
And then, as Perkins unpacked Alicia's trunks and Foster came in tohelp, the room really seemed incapable of holding all.
"We'd better get out, Doll," said Dotty, laughing, as Alicia depositedan armful of petticoats and dressing jackets in her lap.
"Oh, don't go! I want you to hold things till I find a place for them.And, say, are your own wardrobes full?"
"No!" cried Dolly. "Just the thing! Put your overflow in our room,we've less than a dozen dresses between us."
"Goodness gracious me! Oh, you're going to buy a lot in the city,--Isee!"
"No, we're not," said Dolly, who never sailed under false colours; "webrought all we had, all our best ones. I mean. But we don't have thingslike you and Bernice."
"You frank little bunch of honesty! Isn't she the darling! All right,neighbours, since you insist, I'll put some seventeen or twenty-four ofmy Paris confections in your empty cupboards."
Of course, Alicia was exaggerating, but she really did take half adozen frocks into the two D's room, and hung them in outspread fashionright over their best costumes.
"And, now, since one good turn deserves another," she rattled on, "I'lljust toss my extra shoes and slippers into your lowest bureau drawer,and my stockings into the next one. There's plenty of room."
So there was, by crowding the contents already there. But Alicia was soquick of motion, and so gay of speech that they couldn't refuse to lether have her way. And, too, it seemed inevitable, for there wasn't roomfor Alicia's things and Bernie's in the same room, and the D's shelvesand bureau drawers showed much vacancy.
"Now, what do we wear this evening?" Alicia asked, tossing over herdresses. "This, let us say?" She held up a low--necked evening gown ofsilk tissue.
"No, you goose," said Bernice, decidedly. "Your respected uncle wouldthink you were crazy! Here, wear this."
Bernice picked out one of the least ornate, a pretty Dresden silk, andthen the girls all began to dress for dinner.