FOUR GIRLS AND A COMPACT

By Annie Hamilton Donnell


1908.



CHAPTER I.


"Wait for T.O.," commanded Loraine, and of course they waited. Loraine's
commands were always obeyed, Laura Ann said, because her name was such a
_queeny_ one. Nobody else in the little colony--the "B-Hive"--had a
queeny name.

"Though I just missed it," sighed Laura Ann. "Think what a little step
from Loraine to Laur' Ann! I always just miss things."

T.O. was apt to be late. She never rode, and, being short, was not a
remarkable walker. To-night she was later than usual. The three other
girls got into kimonos and slippers and prepared tea. In all their minds
the Grand Plan was fomenting, and it was not easy to wait. A cheer
greeted T.O. as she came in, wet and weary and cheerful.

"You're overdue, my dear," Loraine said severely. But of course T.O.
laughed and offered a weak pun:

"The 'dew' is over me, you mean! Oh, girls, this looks too cozy for