Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1905 to 1906Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)
General
Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories, 1905 to 1906
Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)
Short stories, Canadian
"I'd like to do pretty well in the exams, though, for Dad's sake,"
answered Millicent, throwing aside her wraps. "But I don't mean to
kill myself studying, just the same. Time enough for that when exams
draw nigh. They're comfortably far off yet. But I'm in a bit of a
predicament, Worth, and I don't know what to do. Here are two
invitations for Saturday afternoon and I simply _must_ accept them
both. Now, how can I do it? You're a marvel at mathematics--so work
out that problem for me.
"See, here's a note from Mrs. Kirby inviting me to tea at Beechwood.
She called on me soon after the term opened and invited me to tea the
next week. But I had another engagement for that afternoon, so
couldn't go. Mr. Kirby is a business friend of Dad's, and they are
very nice people. The other invitation is to the annual autumn picnic
of the Alpha Gammas. Now, Worth Gordon, I simply _must_ go to that. I
wouldn't miss it for anything. But I don't want to offend Mrs. Kirby,
and I'm afraid I shall if I plead another engagement a second time.
Mother will be fearfully annoyed at me in that case. Dear me, I wish
there were two of me, one to go to the Alpha Gammas and one to
Beechwood--Worth Gordon!"
"What's the matter?"
"There _are_ two of me! What's the use of a double if not for a
quandary like this! Worth, you must go to tea at Beechwood Saturday
afternoon in my place. They'll think you are my very self. They'll
never know the difference. Go and keep my place warm for me, there's a
dear."
"Impossible," cried Worth. "I'd never dare! They'd know there was
something wrong."
"They wouldn't--they couldn't. None of the Kirbys have ever seen me
except Mrs. Kirby, and she only for a few minutes one evening at dusk.
They don't know I have a double and they can't possibly suspect. _Do_
go, Worth. Why, it'll be a regular lark, the best little joke ever!
And you'll oblige me immensely besides. Worthie, _please_."
Worth did not consent all at once; but the idea rather appealed to her
for its daring and excitement. It would be a lark--just at that time
Worth did not see it in any other light. Besides, she wanted to oblige
Millicent, who coaxed vehemently. Finally, Worth yielded and promised
Millicent that she would go to Beechwood in her place.
"You darling!" said Millicent emphatically, flying to her table to
write acceptances of both invitations.
Saturday afternoon Worth got ready to keep Millicent's engagement.
"Suppose I am found out and expelled from Beechwood in disgrace," she
suggested laughingly, as she arranged her lace bertha before the
glass.
"Nonsense," said Millicent, pointing to their reflected faces. "The
Kirbys can never suspect. Why, if it weren't for the hair and the
dresses, I'd hardly know myself which of those reflections belonged to
which."
"What if they begin asking me about the welfare of the various members
of your family?"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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