human
Oh, Mother wouldn't let me go out at night with the boys yet, answered Betty.
gpt
It's all right for parties and picnics and things like that, it seems, but not for shows and things. Mothers are funny; but I have a very nice one and I suppose she knows why she lets me do some things and says no about others.
human
My mother says that she hasn't the least idea what to do with me about anything in 'these days,' but she hopes to take care of me, if she has my 'co-operation.'
gpt
Our poor mothers! Well, I rather guess it's up to us to co-operate then. Why, if you won't tell, Chet did ask me and I couldn't go with him, but he wasn't mad at all. Mother just told me to put the blame on her, so I did, explaining, you know. Then I felt as I told you about choosing the things I can go to myself.
human
Chet is a pretty good sort of a boy, of course. Chauncey said the other day he thought he'd cut him out with you, Betty, and I told him to go and do it. Kathryn slipped a foot into a shoe and stood up laughing.
gpt
I'd like you real well as a sister, though I didn't go so far as to say that to Chauncey.
human
I should _hope not_! said Betty, with emphasis.
gpt
It's none of it as serious as all that, Kathryn, but I don't mind being liked and being invited, do you?
human
What girl does? But I don't want a real 'case' yet.
gpt
Mercy, no! And Mother says I mustn't accept invitations from boys that I don't know anything about, no matter how nice they seem here. There are some drawbacks to numbers after all.
human
Yes, but you can usually tell about boys and girls, too, and it's easy enough to find out about them. Dad says that he is a 'social democrat,' but I notice that he is terribly particular about my company.
gpt
We have such a lot of things going on at school that it is easy enough to make friends and be with boys and girls you like without bothering about dates any more important than meeting your 'boy friend,' as Dick calls it, at the picnic or at the ball game. Carolyn's parties are always such fun. I want to have one the spring vacation, though that seems a long way off, doesn't it!
human
I'm having one in two weeks, on Friday night, Betty, so save that date, please. I'll have a time getting ready for it during school, so please come early and help me, will you?
gpt
Of course I will. It will be fun. What do you want me to do?
human
I'll tell you in plenty of time. I want it a _real_ party and I'm going to invite Lucia, of course, so it must make a good impression on our lady from the Italian nobility.
gpt
Lucia won't be critical, Kathryn. She said that she liked you. You were 'so sincere.'
human
Did she? I like Lucia, too, though some things made me a little tired at first.
gpt
Just think of the handicap, Kathryn, of not being born an American! Betty was grinning, but she really felt that Lucia had not had a fair chance to be like a girl who was born in the