"I agree with that," said Mr. Forbes, decidedly. "I vote for the girls
having an entire holiday. Lessons each day would spoil all their fun."

"They couldn't do it," Trudy said. "I know, however much they tried,
they just COULDN'T study in that atmosphere."

"Why not?" asked Bernice. "We're not young ladies, like you, Trudy. We
won't be going to parties, and such things. We can only go to the
shops and the exhibitions and for motor rides in the park and such
things. We could study evenings, I'm sure."

"It isn't only the lessons," Mrs. Fayre said; "but I can't feel quite
willing to let my little girl go away for a week without me." Her
pleasant smile at Mr. Forbes robbed the words of any reflection they
might seem to cast on his brother's invitation. "I'm sure Mrs. Berry
would do all that is necessary in the way of a chaperon's duties, but
these girls are pretty young even for that. They need a parent's
oversight."

Mrs. Fayre was about to say a mother's oversight, when she remembered
that Bernice had no mother, and changed the words accordingly.

There was some further discussion, and then Mrs. Fayre said she must
have a little time alone to make up her mind. She knew that if Dolly
did not go, Maisie May would be asked in her place, but she still felt
undecided. She asked for only an hour or two to think it over, and
promised to telephone directly after dinner, and tell Mr. Forbes her
final decision. This was the only concession she would make. If not
acceptable then her answer must be no.