Such exclamations as there had been when each guest had caught sight of the table. Betty Barnes, perched on the wooden box, shook her head when asked to take a more comfortable seat. “Thank you, this is so handy to the table!” With her little slippered feet she beat a tattoo against the boards as she ate the pickle for which Hilary well knew each girl’s mouth would water. Betty was in high spirits and all the girls in gay humor. In a few minutes Avalon and Cathalina arrived with the steaming kettle of cocoa, and after some skirmishing around for the proper number of cups, plates and paper napkins, the feast began, much later than planned, but as the girls all said, the later the better! CHAPTER XI AT HILARY’S SPREAD Smiling faces and figures with the grace and freedom of youth made the small room seem very cosy and full of good cheer. It was remarkable how, in spite of the disappearance of food, conversation never flagged. In fact, it often occurred that several were talking at once. “Mother wrote,” said Hilary, “that our good friend, uncle Andy Short,—everybody calls him ‘Uncle’—brought in the chickens all ready, dressed and wouldn’t take a cent. He said ‘I don’t suppose those girls ever get a good square meal there.’ He just adores Father and heard in some way about the birthday box.” “How grand to be a minister’s daughter!” “Dear Uncle Andy!” “No joking,—he is just fine. They haven’t any children, so they’re nice to other people’s. It’s great out on their big farm, five hundred acres, Father says.” “What cannibals we are!” Lilian remarked. “I’m going to stop chicken and begin on some of the other things if I can. Look at my plate, Hilary,—I accepted everything that was passed!” “May we have dessert tomorrow, Hilary?” asked Grace, looking in mock despair from her plate to the beautiful birthday cake just brought in. “How many girls are out for basketball, Pauline?” asked Eloise. “About fifteen, I think.” “That is pretty good, isn’t it?” asked Lilian. “There are only twenty-four Juniors altogether.” “How many are chosen?” Cathalina had never seen a game, but was beginning to be interested. “Six,” replied Juliet. “Girls have two centers,—so it will be easier for them. Boys have only one. The floor is divided differently, too. You will see.” “Come down, Cathalina, and watch us some day,” said Pauline, “before the games come off. You will understand it better. And that makes me think—how many of you here are playing now?—You, Di, and Hilary and Grace,—” “I haven’t any chance for the team,” said Grace, “but I like to play for the fun of it.” “That is the way with me,” said Lilian, “but I don’t see how Di and Hilary can help being on it, and Polly and Juliet, of course. They played last year, Cathalina.”