Four Girls and a Compact

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 anything in here! All the way up town I've been blessing you three for taking me in. " Said Laura Ann: "If I were pun mad, like some folks, I could do something quite smart there. But there, you poor, wet dear! You sha'n't be outdone in your specialty, no you sha'n't! Get off your things quick, dear we're all bursting to talk about the Grand Plan. " It was, after all, Billy that started in. Billy was very tired indeed, and her lean, eager face was pale. "Girls, we must! " she said. "I can't hold out more than a few weeks more. I shall be a mental wreck and go 'round muttering, one two three four, one two three four flat your b's, sharp your c's one two three four play! " For Billy all day toiled at pianos, teaching unwilling little persons to play. Billy's long name was Wilhelmina.   .