Chapter VI
Reading edition
On the eventful Thursday, when Ida attired herself in the blue silk, she quite fulfilled her little sister's expectations. The dress was made simply, but was so becoming that Aunt Patty and Cynthia were profuse in their expressions of admiration. But in spite of this—perhaps because of it—Ida felt no elation, and started off to the lawn party with a heavy heart. Mrs. Lennox had kindly sent a carriage for her, knowing that the only vehicle Aunt Patty possessed was a light uncovered wagon, and her only steed a heavy old horse used in the farm work.
"You are like a princess, going off in all this style," said Cynthia, as she accompanied her sister to the gate, near which the pair of black horses in their silver-mounted harness stood impatiently pawing the ground, "and I hope you'll have the grandest kind of a time."
Ida's only reply was a heavy sigh.
Cynthia looked at her sister, loving anxiety in her soft brown eyes. "Ida," she said, hesitatingly, "I'm afraid you're worrying about my not going to the lawn party. But you needn't, for I'm all over my disappointment now. And I expect to have a very nice time at home. Aunt Patty says I can make some sugar jumbles, and we've asked old Mrs. Hooper to tea."
Ida looked at her sister a moment, her face white and set, her dark eyes full of pain; then opening the gate, she stepped into the carriage, the footman closing the door with a slam. Another moment and the impatient horses had started off, leaving little Cinderella to gaze after the carriage until it disappeared around a bend in the road.
As was only natural, Ida soon forgot her troubles in her enjoyment of the pleasures of the lawn party, though she was much embarrassed when, on her arrival, Mrs. Lennox asked her why Cynthia had not accompanied her. She was saved, however, from the necessity of making any reply by the arrival of half a dozen guests at once, who immediately monopolized their hostess, and began the most enthusiastic praises of the beautiful decorations of the spacious grounds.
Ida, with a sense of relief, made her escape, and was at once seized upon by Angela Leverton, who took her off to the croquet-ground, where a game was already in progress. But in spite of all the distractions of the occasion, Ida's mind reverted to Cynthia again and again, and she felt a pang of remorse as she thought how ardently her little sister would have enjoyed everything, from the music of the city band to the frantic efforts of the special policeman, who was trying to keep the curious villagers from sitting like blackbirds on the low stone wall skirting the grounds.
Aunt Patty and Cynthia sat up to wait Ida's return, and listened with eagerness to her glowing account of the events of the day.
"I am so glad you had such a delightful time," Cynthia said, when at last she and Ida were on their way up stairs to their bedrooms, each carrying a lighted candle.
Ida paused a moment, looking down at her candle.
"I didn't deserve to have a good time," she rejoined, in a low voice; and then, as Cynthia only kissed her with a simple "Good-night," she sighed, and went into her room without further remark. One question from her sister, and she would have thrown her arms around her and confessed all.