human
Blue Bonnet! look here! See what just came in the mail! You have one, too, and so has Annabel! Oh, such a lark! Run down to the box quickly and get your letters!
gpt
Read it, she said.
human
It's from Billy. We're invited to a tea at Harvard. Mrs. White is to chaperon us. It's to be next Friday afternoon, and the boys are coming for us in an automobile.
gpt
But--Sue, can we go? Will Miss North let us?
human
Oh, yes--with Mrs. White. Why not? You're not doing penance for anything are you?
gpt
No, certainly not! But it seems quite unusual; going off with a lot of boys like that.
human
A lot of boys! There's only Billy, and Hammie McVickar, and an escort for me--Billy doesn't say what his name is. I don't call that such a terrible lot; and Harvard is quite respectable. At least, it is supposed to be.
gpt
I think it would be glorious, Sue. I certainly hope Miss North will let us accept.
human
She will, Sue said confidently.
gpt
She let us go last year. Such fun! It makes me laugh to think of it yet. We went to Billy's rooms. He had a caterer and a great spread. Tea and sandwiches; all kinds of cakes, candies--a huge box for each of us to carry home; and the most beautiful ice-cream with nuts in it. Um! I can taste it yet. Oh, but it was larky!
human
It must have been,
gpt
This time, Billy says, it is to be very select. What he calls a close corporation! Just you and Annabel and I, and Mrs. White. They sent Mrs. White a separate invitation. Wasn't that clever of them, since we just had to have a chaperon? I'm going over to her room now to see if she'll accept. Come along.
human
Of course you won't refuse, Mrs. White, will you? Sue implored, arms about Mrs. White's shoulders.
gpt
Billy quite dotes on you, you know. He says in my note that you've just got to come. He and Hammie will accept no substitute. Billy would be so awfully disappointed if you didn't come.
human
I wouldn't hurt Billy for the world, Susan, she said. The teachers always called Sue
gpt
Susan --those who had known her since her entrance as a very young girl.
human
You know I never inflict unnecessary pain. I happen to know just how hard your friends would take my refusal. I will consult Miss North.
gpt
Will you? Will you really? Oh, you are such a dear, Mrs. White. And try to show her how very necessary it is for us all to go. Billy does get _so_ lonely without me--we're such chums. Father feels dreadfully to have us separated as we are.