All day Elnora struggled to keep her mind on her books.

For hours she wavered in tense uncertainty.

What would her mother do?
Should she take the girls to the confectioner's that night or risk the basket?
Mrs.Comstock could make delicious things to eat, but would she?
As they left the building Elnora made a final rapid mental calculation.
She could not see her way clear to a decent treat for ten people for less than two dollars and if the basket proved to be nice, then the money would be wasted.

She decided to risk it.

As they went to the bridge the girls were betting on what the treat would be, and crowding near Elnora like spoiled small children.