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It was just before two o'clock on October 31st, All Hallow's Eve, and Lucy and Maryellen were decorating the parlor with colorful streamers, with Becky and Sara with them, helping in any way they could. After all, it was Sara's idea to have a party. It was only fair she helped with decorations. Becky was helping as well. It helped that Lucy and Maryellen are quite nice.
"I wonder if any of the school girls will come," Sara wondered out loud as she held a box of decorations, Becky took several streamers out and assured her, "Oh, Miss, everyone likes an excuse for a party. I'm sure at least a few of the girls will come. Besides, Janet and Donald are coming, as well. And I think Nora is coming too. They're all very nice." Sara remembered the Carmichael daughter closest to her own age fondly. She was quite shy and reserved compared to her siblings, but was still quite a delight to be around.
Lucy, the gossip among the servants, started up again, "I heard Mr. Carmichael say the other day when he was here that there was an outbreak of influenza at Nora's school, and the headmaster sent everyone home that wasn't sick. I think there was even a girl or two who died."
"You're kidding!" Becky exclaimed, nearly dropping the box of decorations.
"Oh, how awful!" Sara was quite sympathetic to those unknown girls, however, Maryellen pointed out, "Lucy, if there were girls who did die, they wouldn't have sent Nora home, for fear of germs." At this correction, Lucy only shrugged, "Well, all great storytellers embellish a little bit. Right, Sara?" She winked at the girl, making her giggle a bit, "Of course, Lucy. But one must be careful about what gets embellished."
"Anyway, I don't suppose it's too bad for Mr. Carmichael. He and Mrs. Carmichael were looking for an excuse to keep Nora home for good anyway. He'll probably get a tutor for her, Janet and Donald, anyway."
"Um... Don't they have seven children?" Maryellen looked up from her work as Lucy answered, "Yeah, but they're only home on weekends. Except for June, she's too little for school. She's practically a baby."
Becky smiled, "Either way, I'm sure that whoever does come will have a good time. Sara is an excellent hostess." Sara couldn't help but blush, "Becky..."
"Well, it's true. You are an excellent hostess, Miss." Becky smiled as she praised Sara. Sara herself giggled, "Only because you're usually with me, Becky. I'd faint if I had to be a hostess all by myself. Remember, I had to ask for your help when we had visitors in Bombay..."
"Still, aside from that, you're practically a perfect young lady alread-"
"There, all done!" Lucy looked quite proud of herself as she finished, the colorful streamers decorated the wall, the bare, potted tree was decorated with apples, and the two girls had their cut-outs of cats, demons, and witches decorate the wall.
"You two did a good job cutting out all those decorations," Lucy smirked, "Couldn't imagine it better if I'd done it myself.
As the girls laughed, Dolly came upstairs with a tray of tea and sandwiches, shouting out, "Alright, alright, come on. It's time for tea." The four girls ran into the dining room and ate their lunch together as Dolly reminded her daughter, "Remember, you still have to dust the attic. Have Maryellen help you." Lucy sighed, "So much for saving it for tomorrow..."
"Now, now, Lucy, tomorrow but yesterday's today," Dolly gently scolded her daughter. She then turned to Sara and Becky, "You two ought to dress soon. From what I've seen of your costumes, it'll take quite a bit of preparing to get into."
Next door, Miss Amelia was leading the girls in making paper masks for the party. All the girls had received invitations first thing that morning. Everyone from Jessie Abbott, now the oldest girl at age 14, to Leonora Franklin, the baby of the school at age four, were quite excited as the bigger girls got paints, pencils, paper and thread for their masks.
Lottie was helping Leonora properly draw a cat, as they and Jane were to be the Three Little Kittens Who Lost Their Mittens, while Ermengarde and Lorelei were questioning what kind of mask wouldn't make spectacles fog up. Lorelei herself had already chosen herself to be Medusa, the gorgon with snakes in her hair that could turn men to stone.
"Perhaps you could just make a headdress, Ermengarde."
"Yes, but Miss Amelia said to make masks."
"If you explained it to her, I'm sure she'd understand."
Ermengarde shook her head, leading the impatient Lorelei to raise her hand,
"Yes, Lorelei?" Amelia walked over, and Lorelei explained Ermengarde's situation, making Ermengarde blush bright red. When she finished, Amelia looked at Ermengarde's blushing face and agreed, "Of course, if it really does cause you problems, Ermengarde, you may make a headdress instead."
When she left to help another student, Ermengarde looked confused, "Why did you ask her?"
"Well, I couldn't just let you suffer like that." Lorelei put the finishing touches on her mask, then turned to Ermengarde, "Perhaps I can help you with a headdress."
The two girls brainstormed for quite a while, so long that Amelia had left the other room to attend to something, remembering when she and Leonora were reading Halloween stories in girl's magazines, and remembered a one of the more lighthearted stories, about a little witch whose familiar was a bat named Nightshade.
"That's it! We'll make you a bat!" Lorelei exclaimed excitedly as she and Ermengarde made a rather strange looking bat head, and Gertrude said, it looked more like a moose than a bat, making Ermengarde look a little embarrassed as she and Jessie laughed, wearing their harlequin and Nick Bottom masks respectively. This made Lorelei quite furious as she stood up, saying out loud, "At least Ermengarde is as ill-fit as a bat, as you two are well-fit as a clown and an ass." This outburst made the other children laugh and Jessie and Gertrude blush as Amelia came in, "What are you all laughing about?"
As the other children proudly showed off their masks, Ermengarde looked at Lorelei, "You didn't have to do that, you know. I'm used to them." Lorelei, shook her head and smiled, tying the string around Ermengarde's head, "They had it coming, anyway. I can't stand girls that pick on others... Oh, that's right," She turned to Ermengarde, "I have a black shawl and gloves you may borrow for your costume."
Ermengarde was quite shocked someone would willingly lend her clothes and asked, "Aren't you worried I'll stretch the gloves?"
"Why would I be?"
"Because I'm fat, that's why."
Lorelei shook her head, "Ermengarde, you're not fat. Besides, I have three other pairs of gloves. I can spare one pair to a friend."
"You consider me a friend?" This revelation shocked the former school dunce, as Lorelei nodded, "Of course I do. You're much better than you give yourself credit for, you know, Ermengarde."
Later in the afternoon, shortly before any guests arrived, Sara and Becky finished dressing in their costumes, Night and Day, respectively. Sara's dress was a dark blue silk, with a silver belt, a silver tulle over skirt, and a silver crescent moon tied to her head, along with silver and white stars attached to her dress, as well as a paper machete owl, dubbed Athena by Becky, as she'd developed an interest in Greek mythology. Meanwhile, Becky's dress was a pale yellow tulle with a pink veil over the skirt, golden rays spraying down over the skirt from a golden belt, a golden sun tied to her head, and butterflies and clouds pinned to her bodice and shoulders.
"Oh, Becky, you look so lovely!" Sara exclaimed as she saw Mariette put the finishing touches on Becky's costume, "I knew you would be well-suited to Day." She turned to Mariette, "Wouldn't you agree, Mariette?" Mariette nodded, "Oui, Becky is tres jollie." The compliments made Becky flush bright pink. "Oh, Miss Sara, you must enjoy making me blush like this..."
Sara could only smile as she agreed, "A little, as it would suit your costume, but you really are so very pretty, Becky."
"I think you look quite lovely as Night yourself, Miss... Not jus' cause of your hair, I mean, but... There's something about you that reminds me of moonbeams." Sara could only smile at the compliments, "And there's something about you, Becky, that reminds me of the sunshine." Interrupting them was a knock on the door, and Ram Dass's voice came through, "Misse Sahib, Misse Becky, your guests have arrived."
"Ah, just in time, Miss." Becky took Sara's hands, "Do you want to wait a minute?"
Sara shook her head, "No, it would be impolite to keep our guests waiting." Hand in hand, Sara and Becky went downstairs to greet their guests. The school girls were led by Miss Amelia, and the Carmichael children were led by their parents. Miss Amelia lamented that she couldn't stay as she had some sewing to catch up on, and she would come pick them up at eight o'clock,while the Carmichaels would stay, having brought June, who was three and happily toddling, along with Nora, Janet, and Donald.
The youngest children surrounded their hostesses, clamoring at their beauty. While their costumes were much simpler than Sara and Becky's, their efforts were not unrewarded by the Most Exhaled, as she was able to recognize each costume quite easily and gave each child a bonbon. Even Jessie and Gertrude weren't excluded, while they proudly stated they were too young for such treats, they still accepted the bonbons eagerly.
Sara didn't recognize one of the girls and asked Ermengarde, "Could you introduce me to Medusa? I don't believe we've met." Ermengarde obliged and introduced Lorelei, "Sara, this is Lorelei Franklin, Lorelei, this is my good friend, Sara Crewe. I've told you about her." The new acquaintances shook hands, "You've had quite a history, from what Ermengarde and Lottie have told me. Leonora tells me Lottie says your her mother?"
"Oh, yes, I've met Leonora when Lottie brought her for tea three weeks ago," Lorelei looked a little confused, but as Sara explained, it was quite an interesting story to tell how Lottie was adopted by Sara.
"What is Hong Kong like, Leonora? Is it different from London at all?" Sara inquired, quite curiously as Leonora sighed out, "Quite so different. It's much more formal here. But I like being independent. Back home, our amah would lead us everywhere like puppies." They had a good minute or two of talking before the guests were led into the parlor, the mood set with the lamps lit just barely enough to cast shadows of the cut outs.
"Refreshments will be served after games," Sara announced as Lucy and Maryellen came in with a bucket full of small pumpkins, "But first, let's cave pumpkin lanterns." Everyone cheered as they all carved their pumpkins. Lorelei has the most problems, and nearly cried until Lottie comforted her, agreeing to help the younger girl carve her pumpkin.
"It's amazing how much Lottie's grown up, Becky," Sara whispered to Becky as they carved their pumpkins. Becky could only nod, "Maybe something about not being the baby of the school anymore helps." Still, Sara remembered the first night she'd taken Lottie as her unofficial daughter, and now look at her. Sara let out a nostalgic sigh. Eventually, everyone finished to satisfactory results for their lanterns.
After the lanterns were made, the games were begun. The first game, naturally, was bobbing for apples. Many of the girls were reluctant, but Donald, Janet, Lottie, and Leonora were eagerly making their attempts, until Janet dove completely head first and pulled out the biggest apple in the tub. Her efforts were not in vain, as Sara awarded her with a luxurious chocolate drop from Paris, along with a towel for her hair.
Next was "Trying For A Rasin". Lorelei and Ermengarde were chosen to play. The two chewed the string until Ermengarde won. All the children laughed rouciously as the next pair of children were set up.
Meanwhile, Thomas and Ram Dass were enjoying some hot tea and plain biscuits in his office. Mariette was there and said, "The little Misstress and her Lady-In-Waiting are such excelent hostesses, no?"
"Yes. It's been so long since there's been such happiness in this house..." Thomas took a sip of his tea as Ram Dass pointed out, "Yes, but we've only just gotten back just under two months ago, Sahib." He could only smile, "Of course. Still, I'm so glad Sara is happy." There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," and Sara opened the door, "Mariette, would you please help with the cake?"
"Ah, yes, of course, madamoiselle," She then turned to the two men, "Pardon me, I'm being summoned." And left the room with Sara.
Lucy and Maryellen brought up a beautifully decorated cake, along with the rest of the refreshments, as Sara explained, "There's a ring, coin, and thimble baked into this cake. Whoever finds the ring will be the first one to marry, whoever finds the coin will marry a wealthy man, and whoever finds the thimble will not marry at all." As Mariette cut the cake, Sara and Becky passed out slices to everyone, even to Lucy and Maryellen. Mariette recieved the final piece.
"Ah! I got the thimble!" Lottie pouted, but Sara comforted her, "our futures aren't set in stone, Lottie."
"Oh, I got the sixpence!" Jessie proudly declaired, smirking. The girls were quite happy. Mariette took a bite of her piece and had a funny look on her face. Sara looked up at her concerned, "Something wrong, Mariette?" The maid then took something out of her mouth. It was the ring! Everyone stared at Mariette, laughing as the maid blushed bright red.
After refreshments, Sara the last event of the night was to look for spirits that roamed the earth this night. The children all grabbed their pumpkin lanterns and searched all over the house, occasionally a childish squeal or giggle broke the silence.
Lottie and Leonora held hands as they walked up multiple flights of stairs, up to the attic. Lottie wanted to prove she was no coward. Despite her outward bravery, she was scared herself of attics. But, perhaps being with Leonora, who was much more cowardly (which is understandable, as Leonora was only four years old), Lottie felt a sort of adrenaline rush as she stood in the doorway. There was a thumping noise coming from one of the rooms.
Leonora hid behind Lottie, trembling. "Lottie, I think there's a spirit..."
"There might be. The light should scare it off, though." The two approached the door where they suspected the noise to come from. Lottie squeezed Leonora's hand tightly as she opened the door, both of them shining their lanterns as a large shadow appeared, making the two little girls scream and run away, still clutching their lanterns and each other tightly.
Fortunately, Sara and Becky heard them, as they were also searching for spirits on the third floor. Lottie practically crashed into Sara as she cried in her arms, "Sara-mamma, there's a real ghost in the attic!" Poor Leonora was so frightened, she could only whimper and nod to confirm Lottie's story as fact. The motherly hostess comforted the two sniffling girls with a bonbon each as she said, "Don't worry, we'll go up together and see for sure." Sara squeezed Lottie's hand in reasurance as they all walked up the stairs to the attic.
As they approached the door, the thumping continued again. If Sara were honest, she was quite a bit scared herself, but opened the door quite bravely, taking Leonora's lantern and shone it around the room. Before she could say anything, something crashed onto the table, taking everyone by shock. Sara shined the lantern in front of her, getting a good look at the supposed spirit.
"Oh, it's only a dove." Sara took the confused bird in her hands, "Poor thing... It must have gotten trapped in here when Lucy and Maryellen were dusting." Sara cradled the poor little bird in her hands as the other three looked worried.
"It's not hurt, is it?" Leonora, who had shown the most fear, was now showing a good deal of sympathy to the little intruder. Sara shook her head, "No, I don't believe so. Just a little confused and shocked." Sara held the little dove, and turned to Becky, "Can you get me a box?"
"Are you gonna give the little birdie a bed?" Becky found an empty jewelry box no one had really put any treasures in, setting it on the table.
"It's just to examine it. The poor thing may have hurt itself." Sara looked over the little dove. Nothing appeared broken or twisted. While Sara knew next to nothing about birds, this dove looked quite alright enough. She picked up the bird, quite an oblidging creature despite his wild status, and set it on the windowsill, with a gentle pet of her fingers against its smooth head, "Safe travels." Within a minute, the bird flew off into the night. Sara closed the windowsill and steped down, taking Lotties hand as she and Becky led the little girl downstairs.
Lottie expressed concern, "Won't the dove be lost?" But Sara assured her, "No, Lottie. Birds are built just so they can find their way, even in the dark, and not get too tired. All birds do. Except perhaps ostriches."
"Wow, Sara-mamma, do you know everything?" Lottie exclaimed excitedly. Modest as she was, Sara shook her head, "No, not everything, Lottie. But I do hope to learn what I can."
Downstairs, Miss Amelia was quite anxious as the other girls were with her. It was eight o'clock already. "Oh dear, I hope Lottie and Leonora are alright - Ah, there you two are. Where were they, Sara?"
Lottie made up a little white lie, "We were trying to find a water closet and got lost. And Sara-mamma had to find us."
Rather than disagree, Sara nodded and gently scolded, "Next time, ask me or Becky to take you two, alright?" The little girl kissed her adoptive mother in the cheek as she and Leonora joined the rest of their classmates, "Bye-bye!"
"Everyone, thank Sara for a fun time!" Miss Amelia gently ordered and the girls thanked Sara before leaving, the littlest girls hugged Sara, as well as Ermengarde. Lorelei gave Sara a handshake, arranging to have tea together on Saturday afternoon.
The Carmichaels were to stay for a light supper. Of course, the two girls would change out of their costumes first and into their everyday clothes, and Mariette went upstairs with them.
Upstairs, the girls couldn't help but laugh about what happened, "I'll have to write to Grandpère about this tomorrow. Perhaps he'll find it quite funny. Of course, I may have to explain Halloween to him in my letter, but I don't suppose he'll mind. Our letters can get quite long." Sara couldn't help but laugh as Mariette helped her undress.
Becky started taking off all the butterfly pins off her dress one by one, "Do the French have Halloween, Miss?"
"I don't belive so, though they do have All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day, like we do." Sara set the little paper machete owl on the vanity table, unwilling to throw the little creature away.
"Ah, I see." She then adressed her question to Mariette, "Do you have soul cakes in France, Mariette?"
"Oh, yes, we do. My mother always used currants in hers, but my neighbor used sultanas, I belive that's what you call golden grapes." Mariette finished helping Sara dress and adressed Becky, dressing her in her green merino wool dress, "Ah, there's something so simple yet delicious about soul cakes..." Mariette was nostalgic for her childhood in Paris, and Becky could sympathize, "There's nothing quite like your mother's own soul cakes..." As Becky and Mariette were remenicisng, Sara sat on her bed and smoothed Emily's hair, "If only you could have been there, Emily, we had such a fun time."
Becky looked at Sara sympathetically and when she was dressed, sat next to her, "Miss, um... maybe not today, but tomorrow, could we take a day trip to Ashfield to visit my Ma? You could try her soul cakes for yourself."
Sara faced her friend, smiling, "I'd love too, Becky. I'll have to ask Uncle Tom, first, of course." All this talk of food made their stomachs rumble, and they laughed, "Let's go downstairs."