noon
Mother wants him to come home to dinner . '' Bob replied that while he appreciated Mrs. Littell 's kindness , he could not come that night , and , as he followed Bobby to the elevator , gave Betty a significant glare which , correctly interpreted , read : `` Do n't forget what I told you ! '' Mrs. Littell took to Bob at once , and the bevy of girls , simple and friendly and delightfully free from selfconsciousness , adopted him at once as Betty 's friend and theirs . When the mother found that he could not be persuaded to come home with them that night -- and Betty loyally supported him , mindful of the collar -- she would not be satisfied until she had arranged for him to spend the next Saturday afternoon and Sunday with them at `` Fairfields , '' promising to send the car in for him at noon , so that he might have lunch with them . `` Betty has n't tried her riding habit on once , '' said Mrs. Littell when Bob had promised to come . `` Perhaps when you come out the girls will find time to give her , her delayed riding lesson . They 've been doing Washington pretty thoroughly . ''