"Sunburn," promptly answered the other, with a subtlety surprising to Dorothy.
"You really must not help the boys play any joke on Miss Glen," said Dorothy. "You know they are Aunt Winnie"s neighbors, and we are her guests."
"Oh, all right, if you feel that way about it," said Tavia a little stiffly, "perhaps, Dorothy, I had better have a headache and not go out to camp--I don"t mean to be pouty," she hurried on, "but really, Dorothy, I have never been able to withstand that sort of temptation and I might embarra.s.s you. I wouldn"t do it for anything, Doro."
Dorothy Dale was perplexed. First Tavia had said sunburn instead of mullen leaves, and now she was willing to subst.i.tute headache for rudeness. Wasn"t she learning a trifle too fast? Aunt Winnie never advocated that sort of thing--the rich may be just as honest as the poor, and more so, for they have opportunities of discerning the great difference between a gentle and polite way of saving persons" feelings and the rude unpardonable way of seeking refuge behind little quibbles at the expense of truth.
"We were only joking, of course," said Dorothy finally, jumping up from her seat on the old tree stump, "But it is different where some one else is concerned. Everybody is not willing to take a joke you know."
"I"ve noticed that lately," replied Tavia, pressing both hands to her cheeks to stop, if possible, the burning of the mullen leaves. "But you know I once promised to show you how I looked painted. Now I"ve kept my promise."
The flaming red of her cheeks seemed to make her eyes blaze as well, and it could not be denied she looked wonderfully pretty--or would look so at longer range, through opera gla.s.ses, perhaps. But in calm daylight there was something strange about her face. The short bronze hair, the dancing hazel eyes,--
"Tavia," exclaimed Dorothy, dismay in her voice, "I am so sorry--you look like--an actress."
CHAPTER XXV
AN EMERGENCY CASE
"There"s a special messenger," exclaimed Dorothy, with a little flutter. "I hope there"s nothing the matter--"
The boy with the bag strapped over his shoulder had dismounted from his muddy bicycle, and was now at the door of the Cedar mansion.
Tavia slipped through the hedge after Dorothy. It seemed the message must be from Dalton, somehow, and she too, like Dorothy, felt a trifle agitated.
The maid had answered the ring, and now the boy was wandering along the path, content that his time-mark allowed a few moments for such recreation.
Mrs. White appeared on the piazza presently. Dorothy and Tavia were within its portals, waiting to be summoned.
"My dear," began the hostess, "I have just received a message from Major Dale. He wants you to come home--at once. He is called to Rochester on important business, and as he says Mrs. Martin is not well, so he cannot leave without having his little housekeeper in charge of things--Dorothy, you are a real Dale, able at your age to keep house."
"Aunt Libby sick," was Dorothy"s first thought and exclamation.
"The Rochester case," declared Tavia. "That means the Burlock mystery is going to be cleared up."
"The major did not, of course, hint at the nature of his business, but I am really so sorry to lose you just now. And the boys at camp--they will be painfully disappointed," said Mrs. White.
"We have had a perfectly splendid time," declared Dorothy, "and I am sure we can hardly thank you for your--attention. You have so many calls upon your time and you did all that shopping for us."
"My dear," and the aunt tilted Dorothy"s chin to kiss it, "that was a real dissipation. To shop for my own girls. Why, it made me feel like a youngster, myself. And besides, I had orders from Dalton."
"Even so," insisted Dorothy, showing some surprise at the word "orders." "It took a lot of time and it was such a warm day. But you did a great deal more than that for us, Aunt Winnie, you must remember how much I can do, too, and give me a chance some day, when you want a rest."
"Bless the baby"s heart! Hear her talk!" and the woman in the soft gray robe threw her arms about Dorothy. "All the same, when my heart gets unconquerably lonely for my daughter, I shall command her to come to me."
Tavia was "standing afar off." Her burning cheeks grew more scarlet every moment, and were plainly a matter of great embarra.s.sment to her.
She did want to offer her thanks with those of Dorothy, but somehow, her words were scorched when they reached her lips, and they "stuck there."
"My dear," exclaimed Mrs. White, presently noticing Tavia"s confusion.
"Have you been in poison ivy? Your cheeks show a poison!"
"Only mullen leaves," answered Tavia promptly, relieved to have made the confession without further parleying.
"Mullen leaves," in a surprised voice, then adding quickly, "Oh, of course, we all used to do that. You were painting to go out to camp,"
said Mrs. White.
"Tavia was going to help play a joke on Rosabel," interrupted Dorothy, anxious to make the matter as light as possible, and help Tavia with her honesty.
"Why, that would be too bad," said Mrs. White, "Poor Rosabel has trouble with her skin. It is always flaming red, and it seems almost impossible to cool down the sudden flashes. It is caused by a nervous condition."
Tavia dropped her eyes. What if Dorothy had not spoken against the joke, and if they had really gone to camp?
"Your train leaves shortly after lunch," continued Mrs. White, "so you had better be getting ready. I am sorry the boys are not here to see you off, but I will drive you over myself and see that you are safely en route for Dalton. I almost wish I were going myself. It seems an age since I have seen the dear major."
"Oh, do come!" exclaimed Dorothy joyously, "Wouldn"t it be splendid."
"If I only could, my dear, but I cannot this time. I will surprise you some day. Then I will see whether you or Tavia is the better housekeeper."
"Please do not surprise me," begged Tavia, "although I should be so very glad to see you--give me notice, so that you may be able to get in. Whenever I take to sweeping and bar up the doors with furniture my Sunday school teacher calls."
"I always was considered a good player at hopscotch," joked Mrs. White, "so you need not worry about that, Tavia, dear."
The dress suit cases were to be packed. They had been full enough coming, but it was soon found impossible to get all the new things in them for the journey back. Tavia discovered this first, and called it in to Dorothy"s room.
"I can"t get my things in either," answered Dorothy back, through the summer draperies that divided the apartments. "We will have to send a box."
This seemed a real luxury to the girls--to come home with an express box.
Mrs. White had given Dorothy a fine bracelet as a good-bye present, and to Tavia a small gold heart and dainty gold chain.
Tavia could not speak she was so surprised and pleased at first.
Dorothy had a locket and chain, but Tavia had hardly ever expected to own such a costly trinket. The maid had brought the gifts up. Mrs.
White was busy dressing.
"I"ll have to hug her," declared Tavia, kissing the heart set with a garnet.
"Just do," agreed Dorothy, "she would be so pleased."
Down the stairs flew Tavia. Lightly she touched the mahogany paneled door at Mrs. White"s boudoir.
"Come," answered the pleasant voice.
"I came to thank you," faltered Tavia, glancing with misgivings at the handsome bared arms and throat before the gilt framed mirror.
"For your heart?" and Mrs. White smiled so kindly.