A DEAR LITTLE GIRL AT SCHOOL

 _Amy E. Blanchard_

 [Illustration]

 WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. Racine, Wisconsin

 Copyright, 1910, by George W. Jacobs & Co. 

 Printed in 1924 by Western Printing & Lithographing Co. Racine, Wis. 

 Printed in U. S. A. 

CHAPTER I

COUSIN BEN

Edna and Cousin Ben Barker were on the back porch. It was a favoriteplace, for it was always shady there in summer and out of the wind oncold days. If big Cousin Ben did not always like to be where Edna was, on the other hand Edna invariably sought out Cousin Ben if he were to befound about the premises. 

On this special afternoon he was doing something to his wheel, gettingit in order for a long ride which he had planned for the next day. Ednastood watching him, ready to hand a tool or run for a piece of rag tobe used in cleaning, or to fill the oil can from the bottle on the shelfupstairs. 

"Where are you going to-day, Cousin Ben?" Edna always asked this forCousin Ben's replies were generally so funny. 

"I'm going to the woods, " he said, "to see Johnny-jump-up. "

"Why will he jump up?" asked Edna in pleased expectancy of somethingamusing. 

"Because the dog-wood bark, you know. "

"I know dog-wood blossoms, " returned Edna a little doubtfully. 

"Of course, and I dare say you know the dog-wood bark, too, don't you?"

"Ye-es, I suppose so. "

Cousin Ben went on burnishing the metal he was at work upon. "You see, "he continued after a moment, "the catkins will all be out and when Imeet one I shall say, 'Pussy, will oh, will you tell me the way to theelder Berries. '"

"What do you suppose she will say?" inquired Edna settling herself wellcontent to continue this sort of talk, though thinking it was scarcelythe season for Pussy-willows. 

"She will say: 'The elder Berry? My dear boy, any dog ought to know theway there. ' You see she knows I am a Barker. "

Edna laughed. "Go on. "

"And I will say, 'Yes, madam, but that sassy Fras always tries to get inmy path. It is a very easy matter to whip poor Will, but sassy Fras isanother matter. ' Then she will ask: 'Did you ever try to haze L. Nutt?'and I will reply, 'Chestnuts!' for I don't like to talk about hazing, being in a position to expect a little of it any day. Well, Ande, I mustbe off or I will find Pip's sis away. " Cousin Ben always called EdnaAnde because he declared that was what her name really was but had beenturned hind side before. Some persons, Edna's sister Celia and AgnesEvans, for instance, called Cousin Ben a very silly boy, but Ednathought his kind of nonsense great fun. 

It was an afternoon in autumn. For some time past, Edna and her sisterhad been going into the city to school every day, but this was the lastweek when this would be done, for after this they would go only onMondays returning on Fridays till the days became long again. During thewinter when it was still dark at seven in the morning, and when theafternoons were so short, it had seemed better that they should not comehome every day. Therefore, as Aunt Elizabeth Horner and Uncle Justuswanted much to have them remain, it was so arranged. Edna was a greatfavorite with her Uncle Justus, for she had spent the winter previous athis house and had gone to his school. Then, on account of Mr. Conway'sbusiness, the family had removed from the town in which they hadformerly lived and had taken a house a little out of the city. 

Like most children Edna loved the country and was glad of the change. Alittle further up the road lived her friend Dorothy Evans and her sisterAgnes, the latter was a little older than Edna's sister Celia. All fourgirls attended Uncle Justus' school and so did Margaret MacDonald, theadopted daughter of good Mrs. MacDonald who lived in the big gray stonehouse with the lovely grounds. Margaret was having a pretty hard time ofit, as she had never had much opportunity of going to school and was farbehind the girls of her own age. Edna and Dorothy were her staunchdefenders, however and when matters came to a too difficult pass theolder girls were appealed to and could always straighten out whateverwas wrong. Frank and Charlie, Edna's brothers, were almost too large forUncle Justus' school, where only little fellows went, so they wentelsewhere to the school which Roger and Steve Porter attended. It wasCousin Ben's first year at college, and he was housed at the Conways, his mother being an elder sister of Edna's mother. 

After seeing Cousin Ben start off, Edna left the porch and stood for amoment thinking what she would do next. This being the last time shewould be at home for the entire week, she concluded she ought to makethe most of it, but first she must get together such things as sheshould want for Monday. "Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, and Monday, too. There are only four, after all, " she said, counting thedays on her fingers. "It seems very much longer when you first think ofit. " And then, as she continued to think, to her surprise she discoveredthat only Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays would be the entire daysshe would spend away from home. 

She was so interested in having found this out that she ran upstairs toher mother, to tell of it. "Mother, " she said, "I have made adiscovery. "

"You have, and what is it?" said Mrs. Conway. 

"Why, here I've been thinking I'd be away from you the whole week allbut Saturday and Sunday, and now I find out I shall see you every daybut three, 'cause, you know, I don't start till after breakfast onMonday, so that's one day. Then Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I don'tsee you, but I get back in time for dinner on Friday, so there isFriday, Saturday and Sunday, three more days. Isn't it fine?"

"Very, I think. "

"And the funny part is, " Edna went on busily thinking, "I am at schoolfive days out of the seven. It's almost like a puzzle, isn't it? I thinkI shall take Ada with me and leave her there. She is used to it, andwon't mind as much as some of the other dolls, for she was there alllast year and besides, Aunt Elizabeth gave her to me. Aunt Elizabeth isquite kind sometimes, isn't she?"

"She means to be kind all the time, but she has rather a stern manner. "

"Did you used to be afraid of her when you were a little girl?"

"No, honey, because I didn't know her. She is your papa's aunt, youknow. "

"And he told me he didn't see much of her, for he lived in quiteanother place, and I suppose by the time he grew up he wasn't afraid ofanybody. Well, anyhow, I'm glad it won't be 'butter or molasses' all theweek. "

"What do you mean, dearie?"

"Why, you know we couldn't have both and there were never any preserves. Sometimes there were stewed apples, the dried kind, and they were not sovery bad when they were sweet enough and had a lot of lemon flavor inthem. I used to ask Ellen to do them that way and she always would, except when Aunt Elizabeth was in the kitchen and then she had to do asAunt Elizabeth told her. If you have more preserves than you can use, don't you think you could send her some, mother? You see we shall not behere to eat them, Celia and I, and you won't have to use so many. "

"That is an idea. Why, yes, I can send some in every week when you go, and Celia can tell Aunt Elizabeth to have them for your supper. "

"How will she tell her?" asked Edna, feeling that this was an ordealthat she would not like to go through. 

"Why, it will be very easy to say, 'Aunt Elizabeth, here are somepreserves mother thought would be nice for supper to-night. ' Don't youthink that would be easy to say?"

"Ye-es, " returned Edna a little doubtful if this would have the propereffect. "I think myself it would be better to let Ellen have them orUncle Justus. "

Her mother laughed. Edna's awe of Aunt Elizabeth was so very apparent. 

"There is one thing I wish you would promise, " the little girl went on, "and that is, that you will always have hot cakes on Saturday morningsso I can have butter and syrup both. "

"I promise, " replied her mother smiling. 

"I know Louis is mighty glad not to be going back, " Edna continued, "andI'm rather glad he isn't myself, for this year I shall have Celia. "

"I thought you were fond of Louis. "

"I am pretty fond of him, but I'd rather have girls about all the timethan boys all the time. Girls fuss with you, of course. They get mad andwon't speak, but I'd liefer they'd do that than try to boss you the wayboys do. Mother, there is another thing I wish you would do, and that isI wish you would tell Aunt Elizabeth that she will please let Dorothycome to play with me sometimes. Dorothy is my particular friend, youknow, and Aunt Elizabeth will never allow me to have her visit me unlessyou say she can. "

"Did she never allow you to have company last winter?"

Edna shook her head and a sigh escaped her. 

"I will arrange that Dorothy shall come, " said her mother quite firmly. 

"It's going to be much nicer than last year, " remarked Edna in asatisfied tone, "for I shall always have Celia to go to, and you will beso near, too, and besides I like Uncle Justus much better than I did atfirst. "

"Of the two I should think you would have more fear of Uncle Justus thanof Aunt Elizabeth, " said her mother looking down at her. 

"I did at first, but I found it was mostly on account of his eyebrows;they are so shaggy. "

Mrs. Conway smiled. "I have heard it said that he can be ratherterrible, " she remarked. 

"Oh, well, so he can, but he isn't all the time and Aunt Elizabeth is. "

"I hope this year you will find out that it is only Aunt Elizabeth'seyebrows, too. "

"It couldn't be, for she hasn't any to speak of, " returned Edna. As shetalked she was carefully packing the little trunk in which Ada's clotheswere kept. It was a tiny trunk, only about six inches long. AuntElizabeth had made it, herself, by covering a box with leather andstrapping the leather across with strips of wood glued on. Edna likedthe trunk much better than a larger one which had been bought at thestore. Aunt Elizabeth was very clever in making things of this kind andwould sometimes surprise her little niece with some home-made gift whichwas the more prized because it was unusual. The child remembered thisnow and began to feel that she had not shown herself very grateful inspeaking as she had done a moment before. "Mother, " she said. "I didn'tmean that Aunt Elizabeth was frightful all the time. She is very kindwhen she gives me things like this trunk. "

"You don't mean frightful, " replied Mrs. Conway laughing, "you mean sheis rather formidable. "

But that was too much of a word for Edna, though she did not say so. Having stowed away Ada's belongings, three frocks, two petticoats, a redhood and sacque, a blue dressing-gown and apron, she shut the lid. "Idon't think I'll take her furs this week because she'll not need them, "she remarked, "and I don't think I will take any of my other dollsbecause I will be so glad to see them next Friday. Mother, if you comeinto town any time during the week will you come out to see us?"

"If I have time I certainly shall. "

Edna gave a sigh of content. It was surely going to be much better thanlast year. "Mother, " she said, changing the subject, "do you thinkCousin Ben is silly?"

"He can be rather silly but he can also be very sensible. He is sillyonly when he wants to tease or when he wants to amuse a little girl Iknow. "

"I like his silly better than some of the big girls's sillies. Theygiggle so much and aren't funny at all. I think he is very funny. Hesays such queer things about the trees and plants in the woods. Hetwists their names around so they mean something else. Like thedog-wood, bark, you know. Mother, what is hazing?"

"It is the kind of thing the college boys do to those in a lower class;they play tricks on them which sometimes are really very cruel. "

"Do you mean they really hurt them?"

"Sometimes they hurt them very much. I knew of one young man who wasforced into a pond of water on an icy day in the fall, and who nearlydied of pneumonia in consequence of the cold he took from having to bein his wet clothes so long. "

"Do you think they will do anything like that to Cousin Ben?"

"I certainly hope not, though no doubt there will be some tricks playedon him as he is a Freshman. "

Edna knew what a Freshman was but the matter of hazing was quite new toher and troubled her very much. Cousin Ben had gone out alone to thewoods. Perhaps this very moment someone was lying in wait for him. 

Hastily setting away the doll and trunk she ran downstairs, put on hercoat and hat and started up the road toward the woods nearest. She hadno exact plan in her mind, but she knew Cousin Ben had probably gone tosee one of his classmates who lived just beyond this piece of woods. Thecollege was on the outskirts of the city and the dormitories were withineasy walking distance, so that one was liable to see a group of collegeboys at almost any time. Edna trotted along hoping to overtake hercousin. She did not believe anyone would attack him unless he werealone, and she meant to keep him company on his return walk. Just as shereached the edge of the woods she came upon a group of Sophomoresstanding a short distance away and she heard one say. "We'll nab him ashe comes out, boys. "

Who could they mean but Cousin Ben? She walked slowly that she might, ifpossible, hear more. 

"You're sure he came this way?" she heard another say. 

"Sure, " was the reply. "We saw him go in Abercrombie's gate. "

That settled it in Edna's mind, for it was Will Abercrombie whose houseCousin Ben most frequented. She hesitated a moment, wondering what pathher cousin would take, and then she remembered that the short cut wasthrough the woods; it was much longer by the road. It was alreadygetting rather late and it looked grim and gloomy in the woods, butthere was nothing to do but face any danger and go straight ahead. Shewas crafty enough not to turn in at once for fear the boys mightsuspect, so she kept on a short distance to where the road turned andthen she cut into the bit of forest scrambling up the bank andscratching her hands, with the brambles, but reaching the path in a fewminutes. The further she went the darker it grew. The sun was settingand she could see long fingers of light between the trees. She wishedshe had some one with her, that Cousin Ben would appear before she wentmuch further, but there was no sign of him and she plodded on, the deadleaves rustling about her feet or falling from overhead, giving herlittle starts of fear. It seemed a long, long way, and she almost wishedshe had not undertaken the work of rescue, but at last she saw, dimlyahead of her, a figure approaching and heard a cheerful whistling whichshe recognized as her cousin's. And she darted forward to meet him. 

CHAPTER II

THE SECRET

Cousin Ben striding along did not at first see the little girl, but ather calling "Cousin Ben, Cousin Ben, " he stopped short. 

"Why, you little monkey, what are you doing here?" he said. "Thebugaboos will catch you here in these dark woods. "

"There isn't such a thing as bugaboos, " returned Edna stoutly, "and Ishould be very silly to think so, but something will catch you if youdon't look out. "

"'The gob-e-lins will get you if you don't look out, '" replied CousinBen, laughing. "Is that what you are trying to say? If you are notafraid of bugaboos neither am I afraid of goblins. What do you think isgoing to get a big fellow like me?"

"Why, " said Edna at once becoming serious, "I will tell you; I heardsome college boys talking back there by the edge of the woods. "

"You did? and what did they say?"

"They said: 'We'll nab him as he comes out, boys. '"

"Humph! What did they look like? Did you know any of them?"

"The one who said that was John Fielding, and there was another thatI've seen before. He sits back of our pew at church. "

"Sophs, both of them, and did you come all this way to tell me aboutit?"

"Why, yes, I was afraid they wanted to haze you. "

"What do you know about hazing?"

"Mother told me about a young man who nearly died of pneumonia becausesome of the boys doused him in cold water, in a pond or something. "

"And you didn't want me to have pneumonia. I won't on this occasion, Ipromise you. I think we can circumnavigate those fellows. I won't seeJohnny-jump-up to-day. "

Edna laughed. "Won't they be disappointed?"

"They will that. Now come along and let's get out of here. "

"Which way shall we go?"

"Oh, we will take the back road and come out there below the MacDonaldbarn so they won't get a hint of our coming home, for the barn is belowthe woods, you know. It is a little further, but I hope you don't mindthat. "

"No, indeed, I am so glad to have you get out of the way of those boys. "

"If I can manage to side-track them for a while perhaps they won't be sokeen. I thought they had it in for me, and have been rather expectingan onslaught. "

They cut through the woods, coming out the other side and taking a shortroad not much used, which brought them out a little distance from themain road which was then easily reached. "Now we're safe, " said Ednawith satisfaction as she saw her own gate. 

"We? You don't suppose they'd haze you, do you?"

"Oh, no, but I feel safer when I am near home. "

Ben dropped his bantering tone when they came up to the gate. "I say, Edna, " he said, "you are a real Trojan to do this for me, and I shallnot forget it in a hurry. Lots of big girls and boys, too, would havelet the thing go, and not have taken the trouble. I am a thousand timesobliged to you. "

"Oh, but I wanted to do it, you know. I should have been very unhappyif anything had happened to you. "

"I believe you would, " returned Ben seriously; and they went in thehouse together. 

This was the last Edna heard of hazing and if Cousin Ben was ever caughthe did not tell her or anyone else. 

Monday came around quite soon enough and Edna started off with hersister Celia to go to the city. It seemed quite natural to be back inthe room which she had occupied the year before, only now Celia wouldshare it with her. Ada was put in her old place on a little chair, hertrunk by her side, and then the two girls went down to the school-roomwhere a number of the pupils had already gathered. One of these wasClara Adams, a little girl whom Edna was sorry to see entering theschool that year. She was a spoiled, discontented child who wascontinually pouting over some fancied grievance, and was what Dorothyand Edna called "fusty. " For some reason she was always trying to pick aquarrel with Edna, and by the whispering which went on when Edna enteredthe room and the sidelong looks which were cast at her, as two or threegirls, with hands to mouths, nudged one another, she felt sure that onthis special occasion she was being talked about. However, she paid noattention to this little group but went over to where Dorothy wassitting and began to tell her about the preserves which Celia hadsuccessfully given in Ellen's charge. 

At recess the same group of girls which had been whispering in themorning, again gathered in one corner and began their talk in low tones. Clara Adams was in the centre and it was she to whom the others were alllooking. Clara was a favorite because of her wealth rather than becauseof her disposition, and she had followers who liked to have it said thatthey were intimate with her. 

"What do you suppose they are talking about?" said Dorothy after awhile. 

"I'm sure I don't know and what's more I don't care, " replied Edna. "Doyou care, Dorothy?"

"Oh, I don't know; just a little, I think. See, they are going over andwhispering to Molly Clark, and she is getting up and going over there. Iwonder what it is all about. "

Edna wondered, too, but neither she nor Dorothy found out that day. Thesame thing went on the next day. One by one most of the girls whom Ednaand Dorothy liked the best were seen to join the little company ofwhisperers, and whenever Clara Adams would pass the two friends shewould give them a look as much as to say: Wouldn't you like to knowwhat we know?

"I think it is just horrid mean of them, " said Dorothy when the next daycame and they were no nearer to knowing the secret than they had been inthe beginning. 

"I heard Molly say something about to-morrow afternoon, " said Edna. "They are all going to do something or go somewhere. I am going to tellsister, so I am. "

"And I'll tell my sister. Maybe they know something about it, Edna. "

They lost no time in seeking out their sisters to whom they made knownthe state of affairs. "And they are getting hold of nearly all thenicest girls, " complained Edna. "Molly Clark, and Ruth Cutting and allthose. They haven't said anything to Margaret, for I asked her. Sheisn't here to-day. "

"Have you any idea what they are going to do?" Dorothy asked her sister. 

"I have an idea, but it may not be right. "

"Oh, tell us, do. " The two younger girls were very eager. 

Agnes leaned over and said in a low voice, "I believe they are gettingup some sort of club. "

"Oh!" This idea had never occurred to either of the little girls before. 

"And they don't want us in it, " said Edna, "I wonder why. "

"It is all that horrid Clara Adams, " declared Dorothy. "She is jealousof you because you always know your lessons and behave yourself, and shedon't like me because I go with you and won't give you up for her. "

"How do you know?" asked Edna. 

"I know, " returned Dorothy, and then she shut her lips very tightly. 

"All the girls used to like us, " said Edna sadly. 

"Bless your dear heart, " said Agnes drawing the child to her, "Ishouldn't care. They will be sorry enough after a while, you may besure, and will wish they had treated you two better. Celia, we mustn'tlet those little whippersnappers have it all their own way. Never youmind, children, we'll do something, too. Celia and I will talk it overand let you know to-morrow. You and Celia come up to our house Saturdayafternoon and we'll see if we can get Margaret and perhaps one or twoothers. Now run along and let us talk over a plan I have. "

The two went off joyously, arms around one another. When Agneschampioned their cause there was no more reason to be troubled, and theyfinished their recess in a corner by themselves quite content. 

There were not more than a dozen little girls in the class and whenhalf of these had gone over to the enemy, and one or two were absent itleft a very small number for Edna and Dorothy to count upon, but theydid not care after the older girls had taken up their cause, and theycast quite as independent looks at Clara as she did at them. They wouldhave a secret too. "And it will be a great deal nicer than theirs, "declared Dorothy. So when the bell rang they went back to their seats ina very happy frame of mind. 

The next day a new pupil appeared and at recess she was swooped downupon by one of Clara's friends and was borne away, but after a while sheleft the group and went back to her seat. Dorothy and Edna were out inthe school yard playing, but when they came in the new scholar lookedsmilingly at Edna and after a while she made her way to where they werestanding. "Isn't this Edna Conway?" she asked. 

"Yes, I'm Edna, " was the reply from the little round-faced girl whosmiled at her. 

"I'm Jennie Ramsey, and my mother told me to be sure to speak to you andtell you I was at the fair last year and I was so glad when you got thedoll. "

"Oh, were you there?" Edna looked pleased. "I am so glad you have comehere to school. This is Dorothy Evans. "

Jennie and Dorothy smiled at each other and Edna went on. "Dorothy don'tyou remember about Mrs. Ramsey who took so much trouble to get Margaretaway from that dreadful woman? She must be a lovely mother, for she wasso dear to Margaret. "

"Do tell me about her, " said Jennie. "I have been so much interested, for mother told me all about how you ran against her in the street andhow you won the doll for her and all about her being adopted so I didhope I should know you some day. I'd like to be friends, if you will letme. "

"Oh, I'd love to be, " Edna spoke heartily, "and I am so glad you knowabout Margaret. She comes here to school, but of course she isn't veryhappy about having to be in the class with such little girls. Mrs. MacDonald is talking of getting a governess for her till she can catchup a little, but we shall be sorry to have her not come here. "

"Do you know Clara Adams?" Dorothy asked. "I mean did you know herbefore you came to school?"

"Yes, I know her. She is in my Sunday-school class, " returned Jennie, but she said nothing more, yet both the other two felt quite sure thatthere was no likelihood of Jennie's going over to the other faction. Then the bell rang and they all took their seats. 

"Don't you like her?" whispered Edna before Miss Ashurst had taken herplace. 

Dorothy nodded yes, and glanced across at Clara who curled her lipscornfully. 

When school was dismissed Jennie and Dorothy walked home together. Agnesand Dorothy remained in the city during the week just as the two Conwaysisters had begun to do. Edna sought her sister Celia after dinner whenthe two had their study hour. "Isn't it nice, " said Edna, "Jennie Ramseyhas come to school, and she is such a nice little girl. I heard UncleJustus say once that Mrs. Ramsey was much wealthier than Mrs. Adams butthat one never saw her making any pretence because of her money. What ispretence, sister?"

"It is pretending, I suppose. I think he meant she didn't put on airsbecause of having money. "

Edna nodded. She quite understood. "Wasn't it lovely for Jennie to wantto be friends? She said her mother told her to be sure to speak to me, and, oh, sister, we saw one of the other girls go over and try to gether to join Clara's set and she didn't stay but came over to us. Shesaid she knew Clara but I don't believe she likes her. Did you and Agnestalk about, you know what?"

"Yes, and we'll tell you but you mustn't ask me any questions now for Ishall not answer. Now let us get to work or Aunt Elizabeth will be downon us for talking in study hour. "

Edna turned her attention to her books and in a moment was not thinkingof anything but her geography. 

She could scarcely wait till the next day, however, when she andDorothy should learn what Agnes had planned, but alas, she was notallowed this pleasure for Aunt Elizabeth called her from the school-roomjust at recess and took her down to see Miss Martin, the daughter of therector of the church. Of course Edna was very glad to see Miss Martin, for she was very fond of her, but she did wish she had chosen some otherday to call, and not only was Edna required to remain down in the parlorduring the whole of recess but she was again summoned before she had achance to speak a word to anyone at the close of school. This time itwas to run an errand to the shop where an order had been forgotten andEdna was despatched to bring home the required article, Ellen being toobusy to be spared. 

She felt rather out of sorts at having both of her opportunities takenfrom her. "I don't see why they couldn't have sent sister, " she said toherself, "or why they couldn't do without rice for just this once. Ishould think something else would be better, anyway, for dessert thanrice and sugar. " But there was no arranging Aunt Elizabeth's affairs forher and when the dish of rice appeared Edna was obliged to eat it inplace of any other dessert. Her ill humor passed away, however, whenUncle Justus looked at her from under his shaggy brows and asked her ifshe didn't want to go to Captain Doane's with him. This was a placewhich always delighted her, for Captain Doane had been all over theworld and had brought back with him all sorts of curiosities. Moreover, there was always a supply of preserved ginger taken from a queer jarwith twisted handles, and there was also an especially toothsome cakewhich the captain's housekeeper served, so Edna felt that the feast instore for her, quite made up for the poverty of a dessert of boiledrice and sugar. 

She wondered that Celia was not also asked to go, but she rememberedthat Celia did not know Captain Doane, and that probably she would thinkit very stupid to play with shells and other queer things while two oldgentlemen talked on politics or some such dry subject. Therefore shewent off very happily, rather glad that after all there was a pleasurefor this day and one in prospect for the morrow. 

CHAPTER III

A SATURDAY AFTERNOON

By Friday, Jennie, Dorothy and Edna had become quite intimate. Margaretwas still kept at home by a bad cold, so these three little girls playedat recess together joined by one or two others who had not been invited, or had not chosen, to belong to what the rest called "Clara Adams'sset. " There had been a most interesting talk with Agnes and Celia and aplan was proposed which was to be started on Saturday afternoon. Jenniehad been invited to come, and was to go home with Dorothy after schoolto be sent for later. 

Edna was full of the new scheme when she reached home on Friday, and shewas no sooner in the house than she rushed up stairs to her mother. "Oh, mother, " she cried, "I am so glad to see you, and I have so much totell you. "

"Then come right in and tell it, " said her mother kissing her. "Youdon't look as if you had starved on bread and molasses. "

Edna laughed. "Nor on rice. I hope you will never have rice onSaturdays, mother. "

"Rice is a most wholesome and excellent dish, " returned her mother. "Seehow the Chinese thrive on it. I am thinking it would be the very bestthing I could give my family, for it is both nourishing and cheap. Suppose you go down and tell Maria to have a large dishful for supperinstead of what I have ordered. "

Edna knew her mother was teasing, so she cuddled up to her and asked:"What did you order, mother?"

"What should you say to waffles and chicken?"

"Oh, delicious!"

"But where is that great thing you were going to tell me?"

"Oh, I forgot. Well, when we got to school last Monday, there was ClaraAdams and all the girls she could get together and they were whisperingin a corner. They looked over at me and I knew they were talking aboutme, but I didn't care. Then I went over to Dorothy and we just stayed byourselves all the time, for those other girls didn't seem to want tohave anything to do with us. We hadn't done one single thing to makethem act so, but Clara Adams is so hateful and jealous and all that, shecouldn't bear to have us be liked by anybody. Dorothy told me she heardher say I was a pet and that was the reason I got along with my lessons. You know I study real hard, mother, and it isn't that at all. Clarasaid it was just because Uncle Justus favored me, and told Miss Ashursttoo. Wasn't that mean?"

"I think it was rather mean, but you must not mind what a spoiled childlike Clara says, as long as you know it isn't so. "

"That's what Agnes says. We told Agnes and Celia how the girls weredoing and how they had a secret and didn't want us to be in it, so Agnessaid we could have a secret, too, and she has planned a beautiful one, she and Celia. I will tell you about it presently. Well, then JennieRamsey came. "

"Jennie Ramsey? I don't think I ever heard you speak of her. "

"No, of course you didn't, for I only just became acquainted with her. Mother, don't you remember the lovely Mrs. Ramsey that did so muchabout getting Margaret into the Home of the Friendless?"

"I remember, now. "

"Well, she is Jennie's mother, and she told Jennie to be sure to speakto me, because she knows Aunt Elizabeth, I suppose, but anyhow, she did. But first the Clara Adams set tried to get Jennie to go with them, butshe just wouldn't, and so she's on our side. I know Clara is furiousbecause the Ramseys are richer than the Adamses. "

"Oh dear, oh dear, " Mrs. Conway interrupted, "this doesn't sound a bitlike my little girl talking about one person being richer than anotherand about one little girl's being furious about another's making friendswith whom she chooses. "

Edna was silent for a moment. "Mother, " she said presently, "it is allClara Adams's doings. If she wouldn't speak to us nor let the othergirls play with us, why, what could we do?"

"I really don't know, my darling, we'll talk of that directly. Go onwith your story. "

"Well, so Agnes found out they were getting up a club and didn't want usin it, so she said we could have a club, too, and we're going to beginthis afternoon--no, to-morrow afternoon. Mrs. Ramsey let Jennie go homewith Dorothy to stay till to-morrow and she is going to send theautomobile for her. She comes to school in the automobile every morning. I wish we had one then we wouldn't have to stay in town all the week. "

"Dear blessed child, I am afraid Clara Adams is turning your head. "

"Clara? why she doesn't even speak to me. "

"All the same you are beginning to care more for the things that areimportant to her than ever you did before. Never mind, we'll talk aboutthat later. Is that all?"

"It's about all, for we haven't had the club meeting yet. Agnes says shewill start it and be the president for a month. Celia is going to be thesecretary and when we know just what to do and how to carry it on thenthey will resign and some of us younger girls will be the officers. "

Mrs. Conway smiled to hear all this grown-up talk, but she looked alittle serious a moment after. 

Edna watched her face. "Don't you approve of it, mamma, " she askedanxiously. 

"Of the club? Oh, yes, if it is the right kind of one. I will ask Celiaabout it, but what I don't like is that you should start it in a spiritof trying to get the better of another girl, though I can see that itis the most natural thing in the world for you to feel as you do, and Ican see that Clara has really brought it on herself, but I do want mydear little girls to be charitable and above the petty meanness that isactuating Clara. "

"Then what do you think we ought to do?"

"I am not sure. I shall have to think it over. In the meantime by allmeans start your club. Where is Celia?"

"She went out with the boys to look at the new pigeons, but I wanted tosee you first. "

Edna enjoyed the prospect of chicken and waffles too much to long tooardently for the next day. She hadn't seen Cousin Ben yet so she wentout to hunt him up, but discovering that he was hard at work over hisstudies she concluded not to disturb him but to go with the boys to hearthem expatiate upon the qualities of the new pigeons, of the trade theyhad made with another boy and of various things which had been going onat their school. 

Great preparations were made for the first meeting of the club. In theEvans house was a large attic, one corner of which Agnes and Celiaturned into a club-room. The house was an old-fashioned one, and theattic window was small. There was, too, an odor of camphor and of soap, a quantity of the latter being stored up there, but these things did notin the least detract from the place in the eyes of the girls. What theywanted was mystery, a place which was out of the way, and one speciallyset aside for their meetings. A small table was dragged out of therecesses of the attic. It was rather wobbly, but a bit of wood was putunder the faulty leg, and it did very well. One perfectly good chair wasbrought up for the president, the rest were content to be seated onwhatever came handy, two chairs very much gone as to backs, one with thebottom entirely through, and a rickety camp stool made up the remainderof the furniture, but Agnes had taken care that there were flowers onthe table and that pens, pencils and paper were supplied. She alsobrought up some books "to make it look more literary, " she said, and theorganizers of the club were delighted. 

They came whispering and with suppressed giggles up the steep stairway, made their way between piles of trunks and boxes to where Agnes sat instate, a call-bell before her. Margaret, much bundled up, had beenpermitted to join them, so they were the respectable number of six. 

That morning the president and secretary had been closeted for an hourwith Mrs. Conway and whatever they had determined upon in the beginningwhich seemed in the least unworthy was smitten from the plan. 

The girls disposed themselves upon the various seats, Celia taking aplace at the end of the table provided for the officers. There was muchstifling of laughter and suppressed whispers before Agnes tapped thebell and said in the most dignified manner, "The meeting is called toorder. " Then each girl smoothed down her frock and sat up very straightwaiting to hear what should come next. "The real object of our club, "Agnes began, "is to find ways of being kind to our schoolmates, but weare going to do other things to entertain ourselves, things likebringing new games into the club and any new book we find particularlyinteresting. If anyone can write a story she is to do that, and ifanyone hears anything particularly interesting to tell she is to saveit up for the meeting. It has been proposed by Mrs. Conway that we callthe club the Kindly Club or the Golden Rule. Celia, we'd better take avote on the name. You might hand around some slips of paper and let themembers write their choice. There is one thing about it; if we call itthe Golden Rule Club, we can always refer to it as the G. R. , and thatwill be rather nice, I think. However, you all must vote as you think. "

There were not quite enough pencils, but by judicious borrowing theymade out and the slips were handed in and gravely counted by Celia. "There are four votes for Golden Rule, and two for Kindly, " sheannounced. 

"Then it is a majority for Golden Rule, so the name of the club is theGolden Rule Club, or the G. R. , whichever you choose to say when you arespeaking of it. Now, let me see, oh, yes. We are the charter members. We haven't any charter but we can have one, I reckon. I'll get one readyfor next time. Now, we must have rules. I haven't thought them all out, but I have two or three. We begin with the Golden Rule: 'Do unto othersas ye would they should do unto you'; Mrs. Conway said we might head thelist with that, for there was nothing better. Of course we all forgetsometimes, but we mustn't any more than we can help. If we see a chanceto do a kindness to any of our schoolmates we must do it, no matter ifwe don't like her, and we must try not to get mad with any of the girls. We must be nice to the teachers, too. You see it is a school club andaffects all in the school. We big girls mustn't be hateful to youyounger ones and you mustn't be saucy to us. "

"Oh, dear, " sighed Edna, "it's going to be pretty hard, isn't it?"

"I don't believe it is going to be as much fun as the other girls'club, " complained Dorothy. 

"Oh, yes it is. You wait and see, " said Agnes. "After a while everyoneof them will be dying to come into ours. "

"Oh, Agnes, I don't believe a bit of that, " said Dorothy. 

"Oh, but you see we are going to have very good times, you forget thatpart. The kind word part is only when we are having dealings with ourschoolmates and all that. We don't have to do just that and nothingelse. For example, I have the loveliest sort of story to read to you alljust as soon as the business part of the meeting is over, and then weare to have refreshments. "

"Oh, good!" there was emphatic endorsement of this. 

"There ought to be fines, I suppose, " Agnes went on. "Let me see, whatshall we be fined for? I shall have to get some light upon that, too, but I think it would be a good plan that any girl who voluntarily stirsup a fuss with another at school must pay a fine of not less than onecent. What do you think of that, Celia?"

"I should think that might be a good plan though I expect we shall allturn Quakers if we continue the club. "

Agnes laughed. "It does look that way. At all events we are to thankClara Adams for it all. Her club is founded on unkindness and if we wantto be a rival, Mrs. Conway says we must have ours founded on kindness. "

"Do you know anything about her club?" asked Jennie. 

"I know a little. I believe only girls who live in a certainneighborhood can belong to it. All others are to be turned down, and areto be left out of the plays at recess. It is something like that, I wastold. However, we don't care anything about those poor little sillies. We shall enjoy ourselves much more. I think we'd better not attend toany business to-day or we shall not have time for anything else. Haveyou made the minutes, Celia?"

"Yes, I think I have, and if I haven't everything I can get you to tellme afterwards. "

"I suppose we should vote for the officers, " said Agnes, after amoment's thought. 

"Oh, no, don't let's, " said Edna, anxious for the story. "We all wantyou for president and Celia for secretary, don't we, girls?"

"All in favor of making Miss Agnes Evans president of the club willplease rise, " sang out Celia, and every girl arose to her feet. "That'sunanimous enough, " said Celia. "Now all in favor of my being secretarywill please rise. " Another unanimous vote followed this and so thematter was speedily settled. 

Then Agnes produced a manuscript paper and read them the most delightfulof stories which was received with great applause. Then she whisperedsomething to Dorothy who nodded understandingly, retired to the back ofthe attic and returned with two plates, one of delicious little cakesand the other of caramels to which full justice was done. 

"What about the places of meeting and the refreshments?" asked Celia. "It isn't fair for you always to furnish them and don't you think weshould meet at different houses?"

"Perhaps so, only you see it would be hard for us to go into the city onSaturdays after coming out on Friday, and you see Jennie lives intown. "

"Oh, but Mack can always bring me out in the motor car, " said Jennie, "though of course I should love to have you all come in to my house andso would mamma like it. "

"Well, we'll meet at your house, Celia, the next time, " said Agnes, "andafter that at Mrs. MacDonald's. We can, can't we, Margaret?"

"Oh, yes, I am sure she will be perfectly delighted. She is so pleasedabout the club, anyhow. "

"Then in the meantime we can be making up our minds about your house, Jennie, " said Agnes. 

"I wish we had some little song or a sentence to close with, " saidCelia. 

"We can have. We can do all those things later. I think we have done agreat deal for one day, don't you all think so?"

"Oh, my, yes, " was the hearty response. "It has been perfectly lovely. "

"We might sing, 'Little Drops of Water, ' for this time, " proposed Edna, "as long as we haven't any special song yet. "

"That will do nicely, especially that part about 'little deeds ofkindness. ' We're going to sing. All rise. " And the meeting was closed, the members groping their way down the attic stairs which by now werequite dark. But the effect of the club was to be far-reaching as wasafterward shown, though it was little suspected at the time of itsformation. 

CHAPTER IV

A THANKSGIVING DINNER

The first direct effect of the club was far from pleasant to Edna, forshe forgot all about studying a certain lesson, and did not rememberabout it till she and Dorothy met at school on Monday morning, and thenshe was overcome with fear lest she should be called upon to recitesomething of which she knew scarcely anything. However, by dint of peepsat the book between whiles, after devoting to it all the time she hadbefore school was called to order, she managed to get through therecitation, yet not without many misgivings and a rapid beating of theheart when Miss Ashurst called upon her. Edna was always such aconscientious child about her lessons that Miss Ashurst ratheroverlooked the fact that upon this occasion she was not quite as glib asusual, and she took her seat with a feeling of great relief, determiningthat she would not forget her lessons another Saturday. 

There was more than one opportunity that day to exercise the rule of theG. R. Club, and the girls of the Neighborhood Club, as they calledtheirs, were a little surprised at the appearance of good-will shown bythe others. 

"Oh, I know just what they are up to, " Clara Adams told her friends;"they want to get in with us and are being extra sweet. I know that isexactly their trick. Don't you girls pay any attention to them. Ofcourse we could let Jennie Ramsey in, because she lives on our street, but the others, we couldn't any more than we could Betty Lowndes orJessie Hill. "

"Well, it seems to me if they are good enough for Jennie Ramsey to gowith they are good enough for us, " returned Nellie Haskell. 

"No, I'm not going to have them, " replied Clara, "and if you choose togo over to them, Nellie Haskell, you can just make up your mind thatI'll have no more to do with you. " So Nellie succumbed although she didsmile upon Dorothy when the two met and was most pleasant when Ednaoffered to show her about one of the lessons. 

Agnes advised that the girls make no secret of their club. "It isnothing to be ashamed of, I am sure, " she said, "and if any of the girlswant to join it I am sure they are quite welcome to. " And indeed it didappeal so strongly to some of the older girls that before the week wasout several new members were enrolled, and it was decided to change thetime of meeting to Friday afternoon so that those in the city might havetheir convenience considered while the girls living in the country couldeasily stay in till a later hour. 

The little girls felt themselves rather overpowered by the coming intotheir ranks of so many older members, but on the other hand they feltnot a little flattered at being important enough to belong to the sameclub, so as the rule worked both ways it made it all right, especiallyas Betty Lowndes and others were admitted and were no older thanthemselves. 

"They may have more in number, " said Clara when she was told of how theclub was increasing, "but we are more exclusive, my mother says. "

This remark made its impression as Clara intended it should, thoughNellie looked wistfully across at where half a dozen little girls werejoyously eating their lunch and discussing the good times the eldergirls were planning. "You know, " Agnes had told them, "if you want tobecome a junior branch of the same club it will be perfectly easy foryou to do it. At the end of a month you can decide, though Helen Darbyand Florence Gittings agree with me that there is no reason why weshouldn't all hang together. It will be more convenient for one thingand we can take turns in arranging the entertainment part. I don't seewhy we all shouldn't enjoy some of the same kind of things. "

"Oh, we'd much rather stay in, " replied Edna. "At least I would. "

"I would! I would!" came from all the others. 

Although there is a high and marked difference between fifteen andeight or nine, in most matters, in this of the club there appeared to bea harmony which put them all on the same footing. The older sisters weremore ready to help the younger ones with their lessons while the youngerones were more eager to run on errands or to wait on the older ones, inconsequence there was a benefit all around. 

Of course Miss Ashurst and Mr. Horner were by no means unaware of whatwas going on and they smiled to see how pleasant an atmosphere prevailedin the school all except in the unfortunate Neighborhood Club which theywould have gladly disbanded. "It will probably die of its owndiscontent, " said Miss Ashurst to the principal, "I give it just threemonths to exist for the girls are dropping out one by one. "

Mr. Homer smiled and nodded his head. He was a man of few words yetvery little escaped his keen eyes. 

The next meeting of the G. R. 's was even more successful than the first. A number of things were discussed and the little girls learned manythings that they had not known before. 

"Suppose Clara Adams did want to come into the club or wanted to befriends I suppose we'd have to be kind to her, " said Dorothy, a littleregretfully. 

"Of course you'd have to be kind to her, " said Helen Darby, "but youwouldn't have to clasp her around the neck and hang on her words, noreven visit her. One can be kind without being intimate. "

This was putting it in rather a new light and the little girls looked atone another. They had not easily distinguished the difference beforethis. 

"The same way about Mr. Horner, " Helen went on, "you don't have to getdown and tie his shoes, but if you do have a chance to do something tomake things pleasanter for him, why just trot along and do it. " AndHelen nodded her head emphatically. 

"Dear oh, me, " sighed Florence, "we are getting our standards way up. Ishould probably fall all over myself if I attempted to do anything forhim. I am almost scared to death at the mere thought. "

"He won't bite you, " replied Helen, "and you don't have to get closeenough to him to comb his eyebrows. What I mean is that we can 'bediligent and studious' as the old copy-books used to have it, speak wellof his school, and not carry tales home that will make our familiesthink we are martyrs and that he is an ogre, or someone to be fearedconstantly. "

"Helen Darby! I'd like to know who has been giving you all these newideas, " said Florence. 

"Why, I think Mrs. Conway started them by the way she talked to Agnes, and I have a modest claim to some brains of my own, so I thought out therest and talked it over with father who put things very clearly beforeme, and showed me that school-girls are half the time silly geese whoseem to think their teachers are created for the mere purpose of makingtheir lives miserable. Father said that the shoe was usually on theother foot, and that the girls were much more liable to make theteachers' lives miserable. That set me a-thinking. Let me remark inpassing that father says he thinks our club is great, and he wants tohave a hand in furnishing the entertaining some time. "

This announcement made quite a ripple of excitement, for Mr. Darby didnothing by halves and it was expected that there would be a good timefor the G. R. 's when they met at Helen's house. 

Edna kept in mind what had been said about Uncle Justus and before verylong came an opportunity to prove her powers of doing him a kindness. Itwas just before Thanksgiving that Mrs. Conway came in one Thursdayafternoon to see Aunt Elizabeth and of course her own two littledaughters as well. Edna sat very close to her mother on the sofa, herhand stroking the smooth kid glove she wore. 

It was a queer thing to have her mother for company, but it was verydelightful, too. 

"I hope you and Uncle Justus can come out to take Thanksgiving dinnerwith us, " said Mrs. Conway to her aunt. 

"Thank you, my dear, but I am afraid it is impossible, " was theresponse. "I long ago promised to go to sister Julia's, and hopedJustus would go, too, but he insists that he cannot possibly take thetime, for it is something of a trip. He says he has some school papershe must attend to, and moreover, has promised to address a meeting inthe afternoon, so that it will be impossible. "

"I am very sorry, " returned Mrs. Conway, "for we had quite counted onyou both. Perhaps Uncle Justus can take the time to come to us even ifhe cannot go so far as Aunt Julia's. "

Mrs. Homer shook her head. "I am afraid not, but you can ask him. Juliawill be greatly disappointed, but you know Justus is nothing if notconscientious and if he has made up his mind he ought not to go, nothingwill alter his decision. "

"What time is his meeting?" asked Mrs. Conway. 

"At half past two, I believe. "

"Oh, dear, then I am afraid it will be difficult for him to get to us, or rather to get away. We are to have dinner at two rather than in theevening, partly on account of the children and partly on account of themaids, to whom I have promised the time after they have finished thenecessary work. There is a train at two-forty-five, but that would betoo late, and it takes nearly an hour by the trolley cars. "

"Then I am afraid he will have to dine alone, " said Mrs. Horner, "Idon't suppose he has ever done such a thing in his life as that, but itcannot be helped. Julia has few opportunities of seeing her family andhe insists that I must not think of disappointing her on his account. "

Edna listened very soberly to all this, and when it was learned laterthat nothing could alter Uncle Justus's decision, she felt very sorryfor him. She took occasion to open up the subject herself thatafternoon. "Uncle Justus, " she asked, "did you ever eat Thanksgivingdinner alone?"

Uncle Justus looked at her over his spectacles. "Well, no, I cannot saythat I ever did. "

"Shall you like to do it?"

"No, I do not believe I shall particularly enjoy it, but duty must comebefore pleasure, you know. "

"I wish you were going to have dinner with us. "

"That would be very agreeable to me, but I fear I cannot think of itupon this occasion. "

Edna sighed. She had hoped he might reconsider it. When he had left theroom she went out into the kitchen to see Ellen of whom she was veryfond. "Ellen, " she said "are you going to stay in and cook UncleJustus's Thanksgiving dinner for him?"

"I am thot. It'll not be much of a job I'll be havin' ayther. "

"Why! Isn't he going to have a real Thanksgiving dinner?"

"She was tellin' me this mornin' thot it would be aisy, and I cud haveme afthernoon the same as usual, for he'd not be in. Says she, 'a bit ava chicken will do and ye can make a pumpkin pie the day before, so whatwith a few pertaties and a taste of stewed tomats he'll do bravely. "

"Oh dear!" Edna sighed again as she thought of all that would be servedat her own home table. Her little face wore a very serious and troubledlook every time she looked at Uncle Justus that evening and the next dayat recess she unburdened her heart to Dorothy and Jennie. These threealways ate their lunch together and they took this opportunity for manya confidence. 

"Girls, " Edna began smoothing down her frock and folding her hands. "Ihave a chance to do Uncle Justus a kindness and I can't make up my mindto do it. I'm afraid I'm awfully selfish. "

Dorothy laughed. "I'd like to see anybody who's less so, wouldn't you, Jennie?"

"I certainly would. Edna, tell us about it. "

"Well, you see Uncle Justus has things to do so he can't go with AuntElizabeth to her sister's and he hasn't even time to come to us forThanksgiving, and he will have to eat his dinner all alone, unless--unless I stay and keep him company. "

"Oh Edna, and you couldn't be with your family last year because youwere here. " Dorothy's tones were almost awe-stricken. 

"I know, and of course I am dying to be at home, and that's where thebeing selfish comes in, I keep thinking how I should hate to eat mydinner alone and every time I look at Uncle Justus I feel so sorry forhim I can hardly stand it, then when I think of not going home I feel sosorry for myself I can scarcely stand that. "

Both girls were silent. They saw the opportunity for heroic sacrifice aswell as Edna did, but they could not advise her either way; it was tooweighty a question, though Jennie ventured, "If he is going to be busyall the time you would be all by yourself except at dinner. "

"Yes, " Edna nodded, "and Ellen is going out after she gets the dishesdone, but I suppose I could go home after that. She could put me on thetrolley and I'd get home in an hour. I thought about that. "

"So, then it wouldn't be like staying all day, would it?" said Dorothy, brightening a little as she saw this much light upon the matter. 

"Yes, of course that would make a great difference, " returned Edna. 

"Or, " Jennie had a sudden brilliant thought. "Oh, Edna, I wonder if youcouldn't come to my house and stay all night with me. I should be sodelighted to have you and I know mother would, too. We aren't to haveour Thanksgiving dinner till six, so you could have two. "

Edna looked quite happy as this plan was suggested. What girl of ninedoes not delight in such an experience as spending the night with afriend? The thought of two Thanksgiving dinners, though one might berather a frugal one, had its charm, too. "I think that would beperfectly lovely, " she said, then after a moment's thought, "but youmust ask your mother first and I'll ask mine. "

"I'll ask her as soon as I go home and will tell you at the club meetingthis afternoon, and then you can ask your mother when you get home andlet me know on Monday. I just know what mother will say before I askher. "

Then the bell rang and recess was over, but Edna returned to her lessonsvery happy at this solution of what had been a matter of deep thought. It turned out just as Jennie had prophesied, for she brought a veritableinvitation to Edna that afternoon in the shape of a little note, and shefurther said that Mrs. Ramsey meant to make sure by writing a formalrequest to Mrs. Conway, therefore Edna considered the matter as good assettled. 

She was full of the subject that afternoon when she reached home. It wasquite dark although she and the others had taken the train which broughtthem more quickly. The club meetings were so interesting that it washard to get away in time, but Mrs. Conway was on the watch as the girlscame in the gate. Of course Edna had told Celia about all this, andindeed it had been talked over at the club, all the girls agreeing thatit was a perfectly lovely thing for Edna to do, so she came in quiteexalted by all the approval. 

However, when she told her tale and her mother saw that it was a case ofgenuine desire to do a good deed, and that in the beginning it hadappeared in the light of a heavier sacrifice than could be made easily, she felt that she could allow the child to do as she wished, being surethat it was not in a spirit of self-righteousness. And so, on theevening before Thanksgiving after Uncle Justus had returned from seeingMrs. Horner safely on her journey to her sister's, he saw a littlefigure watching for him at the window. 

"Well, well, well, little girl, " he said, "how is this? I thought youwould have been at home before now. "

"I'm not going till Friday, " replied Edna smiling up at him. "I'm goingto stay and have Thanksgiving dinner with you. "

"What? What? What?" Uncle Justus frowned and shook his head, but he tookoff his spectacles and wiped them very vigorously. 

"Yes, I am. " Edna was very decided. "Mother said I might, and oh, UncleJustus, she knew Aunt Elizabeth would be away and she thought maybe youand I would like some of our Thanksgiving, so she has sent some of hergoodies, and we're going to have a lovely time. I am going to help Ellenset the table and wipe the dishes. "

"But, my child, I cannot allow it. No, no, no. "

"Oh, but, please. " The more Uncle Justus denied, the more anxious wasEdna. 

"But, my child, it would be selfish and inconsiderate of me in theextreme to take you away from your family on a holiday. I know what itmeans to little people to have such treats, and to an old fellow like meit will not make such a difference. "

"But you told me you had never had a Thanksgiving dinner alone. "

"That is quite true, but it is no reason why I should call upon a littlegirl like you to give up the holiday to me. "

"Don't you want me to stay?" asked Edna wistfully, and feeling a littlehurt lest after all, her sacrifice was not really needed. 

Then Uncle Justus did a rare thing. He sat down, put his arm around herand kissed her on the cheek. "My dear little girl, " he replied, "if thatis the way you feel, I can only say that I am delighted beyond measurethat you want to stay, and you will give me a greater cause forthanksgiving than I have expected or deserved, " and he drew her to hisknee. 

Edna smiled as she wondered what Florence Gittings, or any of the othergirls, for that matter, would say if they could see her then soextremely near the fierce eyebrows. 

"But what will you do in the afternoon?" asked Uncle Justus after amoment. "I must go out early, you see. "

"I know that. At first I thought I would get Ellen to put me on the carsto go home. It would be quite safe, for I have gone so many times, butJennie Ramsey and her mother have invited me to come there to stay allnight. I'll come back here on Friday, if you would like me to, UncleJustus. I could stay till Aunt Elizabeth comes home. "

Uncle Justus was silent for a moment. He smoothed her hair thoughtfullyand then he said gently. "Your mother very kindly has asked me to spendthe week end with you all, so suppose we go out together on Fridayafternoon. I can take my papers with me and do my necessary work onSaturday there as well as here. Your little club meets on Fridayafternoon, doesn't it? I will meet you and Celia at the station in timefor the four-thirty train, which is the one you usually take, isn't it?"

Edna was surprised that Uncle Justus should know all this about the cluband the time of their going home, but she didn't say so. "I think thatwill be a very nice plan, " she told him. "I'll come back here on Fridaymorning and have dinner with you, and then I can go to the club meeting. It is to be at Helen Darby's this time, and that is very near, youknow. " The twilight gathered about the two and in the dim light UncleJustus did not appear in the least a person to stand in awe of, for whenEllen came to call them to supper she was surprised to see the littlegirl still sitting on the old man's knee, his arm around her and herhead on his shoulder. 

CHAPTER V

IN A BLIZZARD

The enjoyment of helping Ellen, of setting the table and of beingconsulted on such important subjects as whether the best china and thefinest tablecloth should be used almost made up to Edna for being awayfrom home on Thanksgiving day. The basket sent by Mrs. Conway containedseveral things which made the dinner much more of a feast than it wouldotherwise have been, for there was a jar of tomato soup, a small chickenpie with scalloped leaves and little balls of crust on top, somedelicious pickles, a glass of currant jelly and another of cranberrysauce. Margaret had brought in a bunch of cut flowers from Mrs. MacDonald's greenhouse, the day before and these set in the middle ofthe table were a lovely ornament. 

"It's the foinest lookin' table iver I saw in this house, " said Ellenwhen Edna called her in to see. "What was it yez were sayin' about thimlittle toasty crusts for the soup. I'd be afther makin' thim if I cudknow wanst. "

"Oh, I can tell you just how, " said Edna, "for I have watched our cookmake them. " She felt very important to be overseeing this piece ofcookery and went in to call her uncle, feeling very much pleased at whathad been accomplished. 

"Well, well, well, " exclaimed Uncle Justus, "this does look like holidaytimes. Who did all this?"

"Ellen and I, " Edna told him, "and it was lots of fun. "

Uncle Justus nodded. "I dare say, " he said with a smile, as he satdown. 

It was really a merrier repast than Edna had ever eaten under that roof, for instead of eating his dinner in silence as he generally did, UncleJustus was quite talkative and actually attempted to joke once in awhile. When Ellen was taking away the plates before she served thedessert, the old gentleman arose. "I think, " he said, "that this is justthe occasion to open that jar of ginger Captain Doane sent me awhileago. " So he went to his own special cupboard, unlocked the door andbrought forth the wicker bound ginger jar which had been there severalweeks, and it is safe to say Edna was given her share. 

"A famous dinner, " said Uncle Justus as he rose from the table. "I can'tremember that I ever had a pleasanter one, and I have you to thank forit, my dear. Now, I am afraid I shall have to go to my meeting, but Iknow you have an agreeable plan for the evening, so I do not feel thereluctance in leaving that I should otherwise. "

Edna helped him on with his overcoat, handed him his walking stick andsaw him off, standing in the door, and hoping he would look back. He didthis giving her a smile and nod as she waved her hand. Then she wentback to Ellen and together they did the dishes very carefully. Afterthis both must get dressed, and an hour later they were about to startwhen the bell rang and Ellen opened the door to Jennie Ramsey. 

"I thought I'd just come for you in the motor car, " she said. "Mothersaid Mack could take us for a little ride in the fresh air so we wouldhave a better appetite for dinner. "

This was quite exciting, for Edna's opportunities for riding in anautomobile were not many. 

The magnificence of the Ramsey's dinner far outdid Aunt Elizabeth's, butEdna did not enjoy it one whit the more, although it was very delightfulto be served by a man in livery, and to have such exquisite china andglass to look at during the meal. The child felt a little shy in thepresence of so many strangers, and had little to say. Moreover, she hadtoo often been told by Aunt Elizabeth that "little children should beseen and not heard" for her not to remember she must not chatter. Reallythe best time came when she and Jennie went up to bed when Jennie showedher all her treasures, her pretty room and her rows of books. Theybecame very confidential as they snuggled down under the covers, andwhen Mrs. Ramsey came in to kiss them both good-night, Edna felt muchhappier than had seemed possible she could be when she first consideredthat she must spend the day and night away from her mother. 

The club meeting at Helen Darby's the next day was a fine affair, too, for Mr. Darby had provided an entertainment which pleased them all. Awonderful juggler did all sorts of curious tricks and a young man sangthe drollest of songs. Then, too, the refreshments were unusually good. It had been made an inviolable rule that not more than three articleswere to be served, but when there were ice cream, delicious cakes andbon-bons, surely these were quite enough. 

"You see, " said Helen in explanation, after some of the girls hadprotested, "father said this was a holiday meeting and it might be alittle more elaborate, he thought. "

Uncle Justus took Edna and Celia home that evening, and if he did notenjoy his visit it was not the fault of the girls. It is probable theold gentleman had rarely had such attentions and such a fuss made overhim. He was invited to the Evans's to supper on Saturday and to Mrs. MacDonald's to dinner on Sunday. He was taken to drive; he was invitedto walk, and really was quite overcome by all this thought of him fromthe members of the G. R. Club. 

Monday morning saw everyone but Celia back at school. Celia having hadtoo much Thanksgiving, or too much something was not able to go, andindeed, had to remain at home for the entire week, and it seemed verymuch like the old days to Edna when she had to stay at Uncle Justus'swithout her sister. Aunt Elizabeth returned home on Monday afternoon, quite "smoothed out" Edna told her mother afterward. So the week spedalong in the old way till Friday afternoon. 

It had begun to snow a little when Edna started out to the club meetingwhich was held at Florence Gittings's. The little girl had no fear, however, for she expected to meet Dorothy and Agnes and go home withthem, but for some reason neither was present. Later on it was learnedthat Mr. Evans had called for them at their aunt's and had taken themhome fearing a heavy storm would prevent their going later. A telegramwhich they sent to Edna at Florence Gittings's was not delivered tillafter the child had left the house. 

"You aren't going off by yourself, " said Florence when the club meetingwas over. It had seemed rather a poor little affair after the brilliancyof Helen's entertainment, and with both Agnes and Celia missing. Howeverthey had all done their best, but it broke up rather earlier thanusual. 

"Oh, I must go, " said Edna. "I am sure Agnes and Dorothy will be at therailway station, and we can all go out together. "

"But it is snowing so hard and the wind is making the snow drift, "continued Florence. 

"Oh, but the cars go all the way to the station. I won't have to walk, and very likely mother will send one of the boys, Cousin Ben, perhaps, to meet me. "

"I wish we had a telephone, " said Florence, "but we haven't, and Isuppose you can telephone from the station if you want to. "

"I might do that, " said Edna. 

"I think you'd better go back to your Uncle Horner's, " suggested Helen. 

"Oh, but--" Edna did not want to do this. A whole week at the schoolwithout Celia was about all she thought she could stand. "I shall do allright, " she insisted. "I'm sure the girls will be at the station. " Sothe others saw her depart without urging her further. 

Owing to the snow which was drifting heavily, the cars were running muchmore slowly than usual, and when Edna reached the station her train hadjust gone. It was the train her father always took and she had hoped tosee him. She decided to telephone and took out her purse to see whatmoney she had. Alas! she had but ten cents, not enough for anout-of-town toll. She had her school ticket fortunately. Celia was theone who always carried the money for the expenses, and Edna rememberedthat her mother had told her to be sure to provide herself with enough. "If you find you run short, " she told the child, "either send down toyour father for some change or borrow it from Aunt Elizabeth. "

Edna would rather have done almost anything than borrow from AuntElizabeth and she had forgotten to look in her purse anyhow, beforestarting. "Even if I had, " she told herself, "I would have thought I hadenough for I didn't expect to need anything but car fare. " The nexttrain would leave at five, but as it was a short run Edna thought shemight venture to take it, even though it might be dark when she reachedthe station. She could telephone to the house from there, if necessary. So she waited patiently till it should be time for her train to be readyand then she went out and took her seat. It was snowing desperately hardshe noticed as they moved along, and the train stopped frequently, butat last she reached her own station and got off feeling very thankful tobe this near home. She looked around; not a soul was there to meet her. She would have to telephone. She turned toward the waiting-room, but toher consternation found the door locked. 

There was not a soul in sight. She stood still for a while. It wasgetting colder, and the snow was drifting and swirling around at a greatrate. What should she do? The station master had probably gone home tohis supper, for there were no more trains till nearly six o'clock fromeither direction. He had not counted on his presence being neededbetween whiles once he had seen to his freight and baggage, and he hadgone to the back of the building where he lived. 

It was not more than a ten minutes' walk to her home in good weather, and Edna at last thought she would venture. She pulled her hat down overher ears and her coat collar up around her neck and started. It wasdesperate walking here in the country where the sharp wind seemed tosearch out every unprotected part of the body. The snow nearly blindedher, and cut her face like a knife. Every little while she had to stopto get breath, and as she found the difficulties increasing she thoughtof all the stories she had heard of persons perishing in the snow a fewyards from their own door-ways. "I wish I had gone back to UncleJustus, " she murmured. "Oh, dear, I don't believe I will ever getthere. "

The whiteness of the snow made it possible for her to see a little ofthe way when she first started, but as she went on and it grew darkershe began to wonder if she were in the road. She brushed away thestinging flakes and looked around, peering into the darkness gatheringaround her. Through the blinding, hurrying flakes she could seetwinkling lights here and there, and presently she located the piece ofwoods just beyond her own home, but it was far to the left, and sherealized that she had turned into a by-road instead of keeping to themain one. The tears began to course down her cheeks when she appreciatedhow far she was from her own house. "I can never go back, " she sobbed. "I can't. I am so cold and so tired, I'm afraid I can't get there. Itwould never do to stand still, " she realized and presently she made upher mind to struggle on toward the nearest light a little ahead. 

She bowed her head again and pressed on through the drifts, feeling herstrength would do no more than get her to this refuge. At last it wasreached, a little house, by the wayside, a tiny garden in front and asmall cow-shed behind. Managing to get the gate open, Edna went upon theporch and knocked at the door. 

It was opened by a little girl about her own age. "Why, " she exclaimed, "who is it? I thought you were mother. Come right in out of the storm. Isn't it a dreadful one?"

Edna, scarce able to speak, tottered into the room, warm from a brightfire in a base-burner stove and cheerful by reason of a lighted lamp. 

"You are all covered with snow, " the little girl went on. "Do come tothe fire and take off your hat and coat. You must be nearly frozen and Iexpect your feet are wet and cold. I'll take off your shoes. "

She stooped down and began to unfasten the snowy shoes after removingthe rubbers Edna had been fortunate enough to have put on. 

In a moment the wanderer was able to tell her story, and to thank herlittle hostess for her attentions. "I don't know what I am going to do, "she said. "I'm afraid I can't get home, and there isn't any way to sendthem word to come for me. Of course they will think I have stayed inthe city. If I had known how bad the storm was going to be I would neverhave started, but I did want to see my mother. "

"And I want to see my mother, " replied her hostess. "She went down theroad this morning to see my aunt who is ill, and she was coming back onthis train that got in a little while ago, the train you must have comeon. "

"I didn't see anyone get off, " Edna told her, "only two or three men whogot into a wagon and drove off before I left the station. Most everyoneI know comes out on the train before that, but I missed it, you see. "

"Well, I am very glad to have you here, " said the other. "If mother didnot come on that train she won't come at all, I am sure, for the nextones don't stop at my aunt's station, and I should have been here allalone. What is your name?"

"My name is Edna Conway, and I live on the main road just this side ofthat piece of woods you see after you pass Mrs. MacDonald's. Hers is thebig gray house with the greenhouses, you know. "

"Oh, yes I know it very well. My name is Nettie Black. My mother and Ilive here just by ourselves since my father died. "

"Oh, " Edna felt very sorry that Nettie was fatherless, but she did notknow exactly what to say about it. "Will your mother be worried aboutyour being here alone?" she asked after a moment. 

"I s'pose she will, but it can't be helped. I know she would have comeif she could. I only hope my aunt isn't worse. I wish she could know Iam not to be alone. "

"And I wish, my mother knew I was safe, " returned Edna. "I am sure, though, that she thinks I am at my uncle's in the city, and I hope shedoes think so. "

"Are you quite warm, now?" asked Nettie. "If you are we will have somesupper. "

"Oh, you are very kind, " returned Edna a little embarrassed. "I think itis very hard on you to have me come in this way like a stray cat. "

Nettie laughed. "I like stray cats, and we always take them in. There isa lovely one in the kitchen, now, that we make a great pet of. He cameto us so thin and miserable, but now he is as fat as butter. "

"I'd love to see him, " returned Edna, "and won't you let me help you getsupper?"

"There isn't so very much to get, " returned Nettie a littleshamefacedly. "There is only bread and butter and what is left of therice-pudding I had for dinner. We could toast the bread, and there'smilk. If you don't mind my taking part of the milk for it, I could havemilk-toast and we could drink cambric tea. "

"I like cambric tea, " replied Edna, "and I am very fond of milk-toast. Oh, dear, I am so thankful to be here instead of out in the cold. "

"I am thankful, too. I'll go out and make the toast. Will you come?"

Edna was pleased enough to do this, to make the acquaintance of the bigblack cat, and to help make the toast. "I don't see how you will everknow how to make the dip part, " she said to Nettie. 

"Oh, but I do know. Mother taught me, and I can do it very well. Thegreat thing is not to let the milk burn and to put in only the leastlittle bit of thickening. "

Edna watched the process admiringly. Nettie was so very expert andbustled around like an experienced housekeeper. The house was verysmall, only two rooms downstairs and two up, with an attic over all, buteverything was neat and clean, and the dishes, of course, were set outin an orderly manner upon a white tablecloth. The dish of smoking toastflanked by the rice pudding made an excellent meal. Nettie poured thetea and served her guest in the most hospitable way. They ate their mealin the front room before the fire, and now that she was warmed and wasno longer hungry, Edna began to be interested in her surroundings. Itwas a plainly furnished room, a faded carpet on the floor, anold-fashioned sofa against one wall, a claw-footed mahogany tableagainst the other, a bookcase between the windows. One or two engravingshung on the wall and a dingy portrait in an old frame. The chairsmatched the sofa, one being a comfortable rocker with cover ofhaircloth. 

After they had washed the supper dishes, Nettie made ready for the nightby putting more coal on the fires and carefully barring the shutters anddoors below. Then with a small lamp in her hand she escorted her guestto the upstairs room. It was rather chilly and was also plainlyfurnished, though the old-fashioned four-poster bed was made up neatly, and the high bureau showed a clean cover. The wind howled and whistledaround the house, the sharp snow crystals clicked against the panes, butas Edna crept under the covers she could feel only thankful that she hadthis shelter and was soon asleep with Nettie beside her already in theland of Dreams. 

CHAPTER VI

COUSIN BEN TO THE RESCUE

The next morning when Edna opened her eyes she saw a white world. Trees, fences, roofs, were covered with snow. It was banked up in great driftsalong the road. The path to the gate was so deeply snowed under that itwas an impossibility to think of getting from the house. At the back itwas no better. The two little girls looked rather sober. 

"I wonder if mother can get home to-day, " was the first thought inNettie's mind, and, "I wonder if I can get home to my mother, " was thatin Edna's. 

It seemed rather forlorn to think of facing the day without some olderperson, but Nettie bravely went to work to do her best. First she wentdown into the cellar for coal which she lugged up to put on the twofires. Edna came down to find her busily taking up the ashes. 

"Oh, how do you know what to do to make the fires burn?" she asked. 

"Oh, I know, for mother has told me, and I often do this for her. Thekitchen fire is easy enough but it is hard to lift the coal bucket uphigh enough to get the coal into the other stove. "

"I can help, " said Edna. So together they managed. 

"Now, I must see what there is for breakfast, " said Nettie. "I thinkthere are two eggs, and the hens must have laid more, but I can't getout to hunt them till a path is made. I think there is still a littlemilk, for it didn't take much for the cambric tea, and we can have moreof that. Then there is bread enough and butter. We can boil the eggs. "

This they did, Edna watching the clock very carefully to see that theywere not over done. They concluded to toast the bread, and made a prettyfair breakfast, though it was not a very hearty one, Edna thought. Therewas a little of the milk toast left which they warmed up to give to thecat who must miss his morning's milk, as the milkman had not appeared. 

"I don't suppose he will get here at all, " said Nettie a littleanxiously. She was wondering what she could give her guest for dinner ifit should be so that her mother did not return. She set to work in avery housewifely way to tidy up the house, Edna helping all she could. Then they stationed themselves by the window to see if by any chancethere might be someone coming along whom they could hail. But the roadwas not much frequented and there was not a footstep nor a track in thedeep snow. Only the smoke from neighboring chimneys gave any evidenceof life. Once they heard sleigh-bells in the distance and concluded thatthe main road was being used. 

"I wish I could get out to feed the chickens, " said Nettie after awhile. "I am afraid they will be hungry. " She went to the back door toview the prospect, and tried to shovel away some of the snow, but it wasslow work. Edna brought another shovel and together they managed toclear a few feet of the path, but it was very wearying and they soon hadto give it up. 

Then they went back to the window, but the monotony was not relieved byany change in the face of things and so they determined that it wasrather stupid to stand there. Nettie brought down her two dolls and theyplayed with these for a while, but keeping house in a make believe waywas not so exciting when there was the reality close at hand, and theydecided that paper dolls would be more entertaining. 

"I think there is a fashion book upstairs in the garret, " said Nettie, "and we can take that. Mother said I might have it. "

Edna followed her up into the attic and they found the book, took itdown into the front room and began to make their selections and cut outpaper dolls till it suddenly dawned upon Nettie that it was time foranother meal. She laid down her scissors with a sigh. "I really don'tknow what we shall have for dinner, " she said. "Mother was going tobring something back with her. I shall have to rummage. "

She went into the little pantry, Edna following. "There are twopotatoes, but they aren't very big, " she said, "and there is somecodfish. I might make some codfish balls if I knew how. Do you know, Edna?"

"I think they are made of fish and potatoes, aren't they?"

"Yes, but I don't know how much fish and how much potato, besides I amafraid there aren't potatoes enough. I suppose we shall have to givethat up. Oh, here are some more eggs; that is fine. If I could find someham or some bacon we could have ham and eggs, and that would be verygood. " But nothing of this kind could be discovered and Nettie broughtout the potatoes, laid them on the table and said rather ruefully, "Itseems to me that we aren't going to have much dinner. There isn'tanother thing except sugar and tea and such things. "

"There might be rice, " said Edna with a sudden thought of AuntElizabeth's desserts. 

"Why, of course, and rice and brown sugar are very good indeed. I am soglad you thought of it. I know there must be rice. " She went back to thepantry and presently came out with a box in which she had discovered therice. "I'll get the eggs and we can have them fried, " she remarked, "they will seem more like meat that way. "

"And we can have the potatoes baked because they will be easier to do, "said Edna. 

Nettie made another visit to the pantry. "I've found something else, "she called. 

"What?" asked Edna going to the door. 

"Two apples. Now, I am sure that is every blessed thing. "

"Well, " said Edna cheerfully, "I think we are very lucky to find somuch. "

"I must put the potatoes in the oven right away, " declared Nettie, "forit takes them a good while to bake. I will put on some water for therice, too. I wonder how much rice I should take. Have you any idea?"

"No, I haven't, but I should think we will want quite a good deal, wehaven't very much else, have we?"

"No, we have not. I will take a large cupful. It swells up so, I shouldthink that might do. You soak it first, I think. " She measured out afull cup of the rice, poured some water over it, washed it and then setit to soak till the water should boil. The potatoes were put in the ovenand then the two went back to the next room. "It won't take the rice aslong as it does the potatoes, I am sure, " said Nettie, "and the waterwill have to boil first. "

They returned to the paper-dolls, becoming quite interested in them tillpresently they heard a great sputtering, and running out found the waterwas boiling over. "I'll put on the rice now, " said Nettie, "for I amgetting hungry, aren't you?"

"Well, yes, a little, " acknowledged Edna. 

Nettie was rather uncertain as to what she should cook the rice in, andnext, how much water she should pour over it, but after some discussionit was decided, and they went back to set the table. "Doesn't it seemfunny to be keeping house just like grown-ups?" said Edna. "I never knewhow much trouble it was before, did you, Nettie?"

"I knew, but I didn't think about it, I suppose, " returned Nettie. "Wewill pile up our dolls and papers over here on this other table and thenthey will be easy to get at when we want them. I wish the milkman hadcome, for I really don't know what to give to Tippy. We haven't anymeat. To be sure he will eat most anything, but I am afraid he will gohungry to-day. "

"Couldn't you give him an egg and some bread or some rice, if we haveenough. "

"I could do that, I suppose. I hope there will be rice enough, but it isvery hard to tell when you aren't acquainted with such a thing as theboiling and swelling of it. "

"Oh, I smell something burning, " cried Edna, "and something is making afunny popping noise. " They flew to the kitchen to see that the rice hadburst all bounds and was dancing out of the saucepan all over the hotstove, puffing and popping at a great rate. 

"Oh, dear, " exclaimed Nettie. "I never saw so much rice come from onecupful. Could you believe it? Why, it has taken up all the water and thesaucepan is full up to the top besides all that is on the stove. Oh, dear, I wish I knew just how to cook it. "

"Haven't you a cook book?" asked Edna with a quick suggestion of whatmight help out the question. 

"Why, of course mother has one. I will set this off and go hunt it up. "

The book was found on the shelves and the two put their heads togetherto discover the best way to boil rice. "I think this seems the easiestway, " said Nettie, pointing to one of the pages of the book, "but I hopeit won't hurt it to wait, for I'll have to put on more water to boil. Itsays to have a great deal of water and keep it boiling like mad. "

After some time the rice was transferred to another and larger saucepanand was soon boiling "like mad, " then the eggs were fried and after asomewhat anxious and laborious period of time the dinner was pronouncedready. 

"Oh, dear me, but it is hard work, " said Edna sighing as the two satdown to partake of the meal which they had prepared after so muchdifficulty. 

"Yes, it is hard work, " agreed Nettie, "but we did it all ourselves, andthe potatoes are really done and the rice looks all right. "

"It looks fine, " said Edna, "and so do the eggs. I don't mind theirbeing broken a little; I don't see how you could dish them up without. "

They had been so long in preparing the meal that they were quite starvedand ate with a relish. "I'm glad there is more rice, " said Nettie, "fornow that I know what a little it takes to make a big dish I shan't beafraid of our starving while it lasts. "

"Oh, dear, " Edna put down her spoon, "you don't think we shall have tostay here alone for days, do you? The snow will have to melt after awhile and the roads be cleared. "

"It doesn't look much like it yet, " returned Nettie. 

"Oh, but it never, never, never could keep on like this. " Edna wasdetermined to be hopeful. "I'm going to believe someone will come thisvery afternoon, either your mother or somebody. "

Her faith was not without foundation for along in the middle of theafternoon they heard jangling bells, and ran to the front window to seethe milkman in a huge sleigh, his milk cans in the body of it. He plowedhis way to the front door which was opened to him before he could knock. 

"Oh, Mr. Snyder, " said Nettie, "I am so glad you have come. We are allalone and we haven't a drop of milk. "

"That so?" said Mr. Snyder. "I thought as much. It's pretty hardtravelling and I've been hours getting around to my customers, but nowthe road is broken it won't be quite so hard getting back. I'd betterleave you double quantity in case I'm late to-morrow. "

"Oh, you are our milkman, too, aren't you?" said Edna. "You leave milkat Mrs. Conway's, don't you?"

"To be sure I do. "

"And have you been there yet?"

"No, I'm on my way now. You're out a bit, you know, but what are youdoing down here?"

Edna told him her tale in which he was much interested. "Well, Ideclare, " he said. "Want me to take you home with me? I can bundle youin there with the milk cans, and I reckon you wouldn't freeze. "

For a moment Edna thought she must accept this invitation, then shelooked at Nettie. Suppose her mother should not come that evening, andshe should be there at night all alone. "Couldn't you take Nettie, too?"she said. 

"Why, certainly. The two of you aren't much more than two milk cans, andI'm sure you're not so big round. "

"Oh, but suppose mother should come, " said Nettie. "She would be soworried, and I must be here to keep up the fires. "

"Then, " said Edna firmly, setting her face against the temptation of thecheerful supper table at home, the dear mother arms, the greetings ofthe boys and all the rest of it. "I will tell you what I can do. I willwrite mother a little note and ask her if she can send somebody or findsome way to get us something to eat, and I'll stay till your mothercomes, Nettie. "

"Oh, I think you are lovely to do that, " answered Nettie. 

"Could you wait a minute, Mr. Snyder?" asked Edna. "I won't writemuch. "

"I'll wait, " he said, "and if you will give me a shovel I'll make a pathto your gate. I reckon you're right about staying, sissy. I've got twolittle girls of my own and I know I shouldn't like them to be left aloneeither one of them. "

Edna hurried through her note which said: "Dear mother, I am with NettieBlack. She lives in the first little house on the side road on the wayto the old mill. We are all alone for her mother hasn't come back. Please send us something to eat if you can, for we have nothing left butrice and milk. There may be eggs in the hen-house, but we can't get atthem. I want to come but I'd better not. Your loving Edna. "

The little note was safely stowed away in Mr. Snyder's pocket with apromise of sure delivery, and he went off, his horses plunging throughthe deep drifts up to their middles. 

"I think you are just as good as you can be, " said Nettie. "I don't feelas if I ought to let you stay, but I do hate the idea of being left allalone. "

"I'd want you to stay with me if I were in your place, " returned Ednaremembering the G. R. Club. To be sure Nettie did not belong to herschool, but she was quite as much one of those "others" to whom oneshould do as he would be done by. 

"It really looks as if something had happened, " remarked Edna. "When wesee the path to the gate. I wish he had had time to make one at theback, too. "

It was almost dark and they were about to turn from the window to lightthe lamp, when ploughing through the deep snow they saw someone comingdown the road. They watched him eagerly. Except the milkman he was thefirst person they had seen that day. "He is coming this way, " said Ednahopefully. "Oh, Nettie, I believe it is Cousin Ben. He has a basket andsee how he has taken to the road where Mr. Snyder's sleigh went along. "She watched for a few minutes longer. "It is Cousin Ben, " she criedjoyfully. "He is coming here. Light the lamp, Nettie, while I go let himin. "

She hurried to the door to see Ben stamping off the snow from his feet. "Whewee!" he exclaimed, "but isn't this a sockdolager? I never saw sucha storm? How are you Ande, my honey. Of all things to think of yourbeing this near home and none of us knowing it. "

"Then mother did think I was still at Uncle Justus's, " said Edna. 

"Just what she did. You rung a surprise on the whole of us, I can tellyou. "

He came in and set down the basket, took off his cap and overcoat andlooked down at the two little girls with a smile. 

"This is Nettie Black, " Edna told him. "She has been so nice to me, andI don't know what would have happened if I had not been able to get toher house. "

"Don't speak of it, " returned Ben with a little frown and a shake of hishead. "I'll sit down and warm myself and then you can tell me how thisall happened. "

He drew up to the fire, took Edna on his knee and she poured forth hertale. "Pretty tough, " he said when she had completed her story. "I'mglad your mother didn't know you had started. Now, Miss Nettie if youwill let me sleep on that big sofa I am going to stay right here till wecan dig you out and your mother comes. There's a lot of provender inthat basket and we'll be as jolly as they make 'em. "

"Oh, but you can sleep upstairs, " returned Nettie. "There is plenty ofroom. "

"Good! Then upstairs be it. What was that about hens and eggs andthings, Ande?"

"Oh, we can't get out to the hen-house, you know. We tried to make apath but it was too hard work for us so we gave it up. "

"I should remark. Well, that will be done first thing in the morning, and I'll go see what I can find. Eggsactly, as it were. What about thefires? Any coal up here?"

"A little, " Nettie told him. "We have carried up all we could at a time, but we couldn't bring enough for the fires to-night. We are going downto get more. "

"You are going to do no such thing. Got a candle? Where are the coalscuttles? One of you hold the light and show me your coal bin and upcomes your coal. " Cousin Ben was already making for the cellar door. 

Of course no one was going to be left out of this expedition and allthree descended to the cellar, from which they presently came forth alllaughing. It was certainly a cheering thing to have someone so willingto come to their aid. Next the basket was unpacked and it goes withoutsaying that there were neither eggs nor rice for supper that night. Moreover, Tippy had such a feast of milk as well as other things as hehad not seen for several days. Ben kept the little girls in such a stateof giggle that they could scarcely do the dishes, but what with thelabors of the day and the later excitement they were ready for bedearly, and went up leaving Cousin Ben with a book before him. Later hislight half wakened Edna, but as he closed the door between the roomsand she realized that he was there, she turned over with a sigh ofcontent, feeling very safe and sleepy. 

CHAPTER VII

DISTURBANCES

Sunday morning was bright and clear. It was so dazzlingly bright whenthe little girls arose that they thought it must be much later than itwas. Cousin Ben, however, was already up and dressed and had been downsome time when the two finally descended to the lower floor. This wasmade known by reason of the fires burning brightly and of there being apath cleared to the hen-house, while as many as a dozen eggs were in abowl on the kitchen table. 

"Oh, Cousin Ben, " cried Edna, "what a lot you have done. It is so coseyand warm down here, and we won't have to wait at all for breakfast. "

"I hope not, " he returned, "for I'm hungry, for one. What are you goingto have?"

Edna turned to Nettie who considered the question. It was a greatoccasion when there were two guests to be provided for. "As long asthere are so many eggs, " she said, "we can have muffins or something andsome eggs. I could have some kind of breakfast food, too, I believethere's some oat-meal. "

"Never mind the oat-meal, " said Ben. "You get me out the flour and stuffand I'll make the muffins. There is a royal fire and I'll get them readyin three shakes of a sheep's tail. "

"You?" Nettie looked amazed. 

"Of course. Did you never hear of a man cook? I've served myapprenticeship, I can assure you. I'll make the coffee, too, if you haveany. "

"Oh, there is some already ground, in the basket mother sent, " Ednaassured him. "We don't drink it, but we can have cambric tea. "

"All right, you go along and set the table, and I'll do the rest. "

Nettie was rather glad to have the responsibility taken off her hands inthis summary manner, though she said to Edna, "Do you think it is politeto let him do it all?"

"Why, certainly, " replied Edna. "He does those things at home for hismother sometimes, for he has no sisters, and the boys have to pitch inand help when the servant goes out. He has told me all about it. And asfor its being polite, I remember mother said it was always more politeto let your company do the thing which made them comfortable than toinsist upon doing something for them that would make themuncomfortable. "

Nettie considered this for some time before she quite took in the senseof it. She was a thin, demure little girl, not at all pretty, but with akind face, big blue eyes and sandy hair. She was dressed very plainly, but her clothes were neat and simply made. She was not the kind of childEdna might have expected to find in such a little house. 

The muffins turned out a great success, and Ben said his coffee justsuited him. "I never saw fresher eggs than your hens lay, " he said, looking at Nettie with a serious face. 

"Of course, they are fresh, " she returned, "when they were only laidyesterday. "

"That's what I said, " returned Ben, with gravity. 

Edna laughed. She was used to Cousin Ben's ways, but Nettie was a littlepuzzled. 

The breakfast was as merry an affair as the supper had been, and afterit was cleared away there was a consultation upon what should be donenext. "There's no use in thinking of church, " said Ben. "We couldn't getthere if we tried. "

"And there are so few trains I don't suppose I can expect mother thismorning, " said Nettie. 

"Better not expect her at all, " replied Ben, "that is, not while theroads are so snowy. There is scarcely any use in even a sleigh whilethese drifts are so high. Ande, what is the use of a sleigh, anyhow?" heasked, turning to his cousin who saw a joke. 

"You tell, " she answered. 

"Snow use" he replied. "Now, I'll go out and feed the hens, and thenI'll put on my boots and start on the road again. I'll see what's goingon at the house, and then I'll come back again. " They watched himploughing through the snow, but because he had been there and was comingback it seemed not lonely at all, though Nettie said, wistfully, she didhope her mother could come that day, and Edna hoped she could find a wayof getting home. 

Toward noon they saw a queer box-sleigh coming from the main road. Theywatched it interestedly from the window as it approached nearer andnearer. "I do believe it is mother, " exclaimed Nettie, joyfully. Andsure enough the sleigh did stop before the door, a man got out, and thenhelped a slight woman in black to alight. "It is mother, " cried Nettie, running to the door, and presently she was in her mother's arms. 

Then there were great explanations. Like the little girls, Mrs. Blackhad been snowed in, for her sister lived quite a distance from thestation, but she had at last been able to get some one of the neighborsto bring her across, as he had to go to the doctor's, and was willing totake her the short distance further. 

"If I had known how well cared for you would be, " she told her daughter, "and that you were not alone at all, I should have been much lessanxious. Certainly, we have a great deal to be thankful for. "

Edna felt that she certainly had a great deal to be thankful for when alittle later she saw a big black sleigh stop before the door. Sherecognized it as Mrs. MacDonald's, for it was driven by her coach-man, though in it sat Cousin Ben. He had come back as he promised, but ingreat state. And because Nettie's mother had returned he bore Edna offalone, after many good-bys and promises to see her new friend as oftenas she could. 

"How did you happen to come in Mrs. MacDonald's sleigh?" she asked hercousin. 

"Well, I will tell you. When I reached the house I found that Mrs. MacDonald had telephoned over to ask about all of you, and to see howCelia was. When she heard where you were and all about it, she said shewould send over her sleigh and I could go for you and Nettie in it, andso as that seemed a good arrangement I was going to put it intoexecution. We had decided to leave a note for Mrs. Black in case sheshould get back to-day, so she wouldn't be worried. "

"It's really much better this way, " returned Edna, "for now she has hermother, and I will have mine. "

It seemed a delightful home coming, and because the snow was still sodeep there was the extra holiday on Monday, but by Tuesday all startedoff to school again. Mrs. MacDonald knew all about Mrs. Black, and saidshe was a very good woman, who had taken this little house in thecountry because she could live there more cheaply, and because in such aplace as she could afford in the city her little daughter would not besurrounded by pleasant influences. Nettie went to the district school, and was such a little girl as Edna's parents would select as a companionfor their daughter. So, Edna felt she had made quite a discovery, andplanned all sorts of times with Nettie when the winter was over. 

Matters went on at school uninterruptedly, until just before Christmas, when it was suddenly made known that Miss Ashurst was to be married, and that another teacher would take her place after the holidays. TheG. R. 's got up a linen shower for the departing teacher, but theNeighborhood Club did nothing. Its numbers were dwindling, for when itwas learned what good times the rivals had at their meetings, there wasmore than one deserter. For some reason, Clara Adams had picked out Ednaas the prime cause of all this. She had never forgiven her for winningthe doll at the fair the year before, and was likewise furiously jealousof her friendship for Jennie Ramsey. If Edna had been a less generousand sweet-tempered child, matters might have been much worse, but evenas it was they were made bad enough. 

No sooner had the new teacher appeared than Clara set to work to doeverything in her power to make Edna appear to disadvantage, by allsorts of mean innuendoes, by sly hints, by even open charges, till thechild was almost in tears over the state of affairs. 

"I would just tell Miss Newman, so I would, " said Dorothy indignantly, when a specially mean speech of Clara's came to her ears. 

"Oh, but I couldn't be a tattle-tale, " declared Edna. 

"She'd better not say anything about you to me, " returned Dorothy. "Sheknows better than that. I'd tell her a thing or two. "

"If Uncle Justus knew, he would believe me and not Clara, " said Edna. "Idon't cheat in my lessons, and he knows I don't, whatever Clara may say, and I'm not the one who sets the girls up to mischief, you know I'mnot. "

"I know mighty well who it is, " declared Dorothy, "and if this keeps upI shall tell, so I shall. "

It did keep up till one morning the climax was reached when Miss Newmancame into her school-room to find on the board a very good caricature ofherself, with under it written: "Ugly, old Miss New, " in scrawlingletters. Clara came into the school-room late, and slipped into her seatafter the exercises had begun. Miss Newman left the drawing on the boardand made no reference to it, using a smaller board for what wasnecessary. She was far less attractive than Miss Ashurst, and had a drylittle way with her, which many of the girls thought oldmaidish, but shewas a good teacher, if not a very beautiful one. When the girls returnedfrom recess, in place of Miss Newman at the desk stood Mr. Horner, hiseyes fairly snapping with indignation, and his eyebrows looking fiercerthan ever. 

"Oh, " whispered Dorothy, as she sank down into her seat by Edna's side. The rest of the girls looked pale and awe-stricken. Never before hadthey any recollection of Mr. Horner's coming into the room. Offenderswere sometimes sent to him in the larger room, but this was a newexperience. 

There was complete silence, while Mr. Horner looked from one to theother as if he would search their very hearts. Some of the girlsreturned his gaze pleadingly, some dropped their heads, Clara Adams, with a little smile of indifference, began to play with her pencil. Mr. Horner glared at her. "Put that down!" he said, and she dropped it, though still wearing her impertinent little smile. "I wish to know, "said Mr. Horner, "who was the first to arrive in this room thismorning?"

"I was the last, " spoke up Clara. 

"You were not asked that, " said Mr. Horner, turning upon her. 

After quite a silence, Margaret arose. "I think I was the first, Mr. Horner, " she said, and then sat down again. 

"There was no one in the room when you came?"

"No, Mr. Horner. "

"And was this on the board?" He pointed to the drawing. 

"Yes, Mr. Horner. "

"You did not do it?"

"No, Mr. Horner, " then with a little catch of her breath, "I wouldn't dosuch a mean thing, not for nothing. "

"Not for anything, I think you mean, Margaret, " said Mr. Horner ingentler tones. 

"Not for anything, " repeated Margaret, meekly. 

"Then, I shall have to ask each separately, and I expect a truthfulanswer, " said Mr. Horner. He began putting the question, going from oneto the next till every girl in the room had been questioned. 

"It might have been one of the older girls, " said Miss Newman, in anundertone to him. 

Clara caught the words, as she was nearest. "I should think it would bevery easy to know who did it, " she said, "when there is only one of usgirls who stays in the house. "

"What do you mean by that?" asked Mr. Horner severely. 

Clara was not daunted. "I mean that there is only one girl who can comeinto the school-room before the others can get here. "

"Do you mean my niece? I should as soon think of suspecting Miss Newmanherself. " He looked over at Edna with a little reassuring smile. "However, as we do not seem to be making much headway I shall take othermeans of finding out who did this very unladylike and unkind thing. "Then he gave them such a lecture as none of them forgot and if theG. R. 's did not have their motto brought home to them on that occasionthey never did. Then Mr. Horner returned to his own school-room and MissNewman called one of the girls to clean off the board. 

Nothing further was said of the matter, and Miss Newman went on as if ithad never happened; but one day the last of the week, the girls wereasked to illustrate in pencil drawings a story from their historylesson. 

"Oh, Miss Newman, I couldn't possibly do it, " exclaimed Dorothy. "Idon't expect finished drawings, " she replied, "and you may even makethem as humorous as you choose, but I want some little attempt, nomatter how slight. Mr. Horner has asked that you do your best, and Ishall expect you to hand in something beside blank paper. "

Dorothy and Edna both sighed. Neither one had the slightest idea ofdrawing and knew that their results would be absurd, but they laboredaway and finally with half deprecating, half amused expressions showedtheir drawings to one another. It was as much as they could do to keepfrom laughing outright, they were so very funny, but they signed theirnames in the corner as Miss Newman directed them to do, and handed themin. Then, Miss Newman took them into the next room. At the close ofschool, she said, "Mr. Horner wishes Clara Adams to stay after school;he wishes to see her about her drawing. "

Clara perked up and looked around with a little smirk. So she was theprize draughtsman, and she remained with a perfectly good grace. However, it was a very different looking Clara who was led into the roomthe next morning by Mr. Horner. Her eyes were swollen with crying andshe wore a rebellious expression when Mr. Horner announced, "Clara Adamswishes to make a public acknowledgment of her part in the rudenessdirected against Miss Newman by the drawing you all saw on the board, and she will also make a public apology both to her teacher and to myniece. "

Clara murmured something unintelligible and burst into tears. The onlywords the girls could make out were "I did it. " It was the most terriblething that had ever happened to any of them and Edna felt so sorry forthe culprit that all resentment vanished altogether. She forgot entirelythat she was included in the apology, if apology there was, and allmorning she cast the most sympathetic looks across the room at Clara. 

It came out later that the drawings were the proof of the child's guilt, for they were done in the same style as the caricature and because theywere so much better than the rest it was evident that only Clara couldhave made the figure on the board. She had come very early, had slippedupstairs before anyone else and had gone out again to return later andthus hoped to avoid any suspicion. It happened, too, that Ellen saw hercome in and go out again and this of course clinched the matter when shewas brought face to face with the Irish girl who did not know her namebut recognized the hat and coat she wore. 

The affair made a great impression but somehow did not increase MissNewman's popularity, for the idea of the drawings was hers and Claracould not forgive her for the position into which she had forced her, therefore she lost no opportunity of making it as unpleasant for herteacher as she could in the thousand and one ways a sly andunprincipled girl can, and her little pin-pricks were so annoying, thatfinally Dorothy and Edna, who had not particularly cared for the newteacher, began to stand up for her and to do as many kind things as theycould. Perhaps the G. R. Club was mainly responsible for this, but atall events it made matters a little happier for the teacher. 

As for Clara, Dorothy set her face against any sort of friendship withher, but it was not within Edna's heart to be unkind to anyone, and shemade up her mind that she would meet Clara half way if ever the chancecame. 

Uncle Justus never mentioned the affair of the caricature to her, butshe knew he had never the slightest belief that she had done it and hisopen approval of her before the whole class was very much valued. Shehad won her way into the hearts of most of the girls, and there wereonly two or three of Clara's most adoring adherents who still called her"a pet" and said she was at the bottom of all Clara's trouble. Thisseemed a very strange way to look at it, but poor Clara was so blindedby jealousy and rage that she saw nothing in the right light. Ednawondered if she would ever cease to dislike her, and insisted to Dorothythat they ought to try to persuade her to come into the club. "You see, "she said, "if she could once find out what doing to others really meansshe maybe would get over all her hatefulness. Mother thinks so, and I'mnot going to give up being nice to her if I get a chance. "

"Well, you don't catch me, " returned Dorothy. "I don't want to go withsuch a horrid story-teller as she is. I shouldn't think you would, either. "

Edna said not a word, but still hoped. 

CHAPTER VIII

THE FRIENDLESS FRIENDS

Margaret came to school in great excitement one Monday morning. "I'mgoing to have a party, " she said to Edna. "I'll tell you all about it atrecess. "

The idea of Margaret's really having a party was most interesting whenEdna remembered that it had been just a year since she was adopted byMrs. MacDonald. She had improved very much in this time, both in speechand manner, and no happier child could be found than she. To be sure shehad everything to make her happy, as Dorothy often said, a beautifulhome, a kind mother and friends who took pains to make her forget howforlorn she had once been. She was very grateful for all these things, and rarely asked for anything more than was offered to her, so that Mrs. MacDonald was all the more ready to give her pleasures which she did notask for. 

Jennie and Dorothy were admitted into the little group which gathered tohear about the party. "Tell us all about it, Margaret, " said Edna. "Justbegin at the beginning. "

"Well, " said Margaret, "mother was saying to me on Saturday evening, 'Margaret, do you know it is almost a year since you became my ownlittle daughter? Now I think we ought to celebrate the day of yourcoming to your home. What would you like to do?' So I thought andthought, and then I said, 'I never had a party in all my life, would itbe too much to celebrate by having one?' and she said, 'Not at all, though I should first like to know what girls you would like toinvite, ' and I told her all the G. R. Club. 'Anyone else?' she asked, and I thought of Nettie Black. 'I'd like to have Nettie, ' I said, andthen I remembered how lonely I used to be even at the Friendless, andhow glad I used to be when you came to see me, Edna, and I thought oftwo or three who were still there, girls who haven't been adopted, and Isaid I'd like to have them. Then mother said, 'Very well, only theothers may not want to come if you have poor children like them, andyou'd better ask the girls, and if they refuse you can make up your mindwhich you would rather have, the girls of the club or theFriendlessers. '"

"Oh, Margaret, you know we won't care, " said Edna earnestly. 

"I knew _you_ wouldn't, but I didn't know about them all. I shall haveto ask, you see, because it seems to me that of all the people I know, the Friendlessers are the very ones who ought to come when it is tocelebrate my coming away from there, and then, too they don't have goodtimes like we do. "

The girls all called the Home of the Friendless "The Friendless" and thechildren there, "The Friendlessers" so they knew quite well whomMargaret meant. 

"How soon is the party to be?" asked Jennie. 

"Next Saturday afternoon. The Friendlessers can come then better thanany other time, and besides we live out of town, and it will be easierfor everyone to come in the afternoon. "

"I shall come, " said Dorothy decidedly, "and I think it is a beautifulidea for you to have the Friendlessers. "

"And of course I shall come, " put in Jennie. 

"I know my sister will, " said Edna. 

"And mine, " echoed Dorothy. 

"There is one thing I hope you won't mind my saying, " said Margaret;"mother says please not to wear party frocks, and not to dress up much, on account of the Friendlessers, you know, for of course they won't haveany. "

"Of course not, " agreed the girls. 

"Mother says we can have just as good a time if we are not dressed upand as long as it is going to be in the daytime it won't make so muchdifference. "

"Let's go tell the other girls, " suggested Edna. 

They hunted up Agnes, Celia and the rest of the club members and did notfind one who objected to the presence of the "Friendlessers. "

However, when the news of Margaret's party was noised abroad, there wasmuch scorn on the part of the Neighborhood Club. "The idea, " said Clara, "of going to a party with orphan asylum children! I'd like to see mymother allowing me to associate with such creatures. I can't think whatJennie Ramsey's mother can be thinking of to allow her to go. Besides, Margaret is an orphan asylum girl herself and no better than the rest!I'm sure I wouldn't be seen at her party. "

"And they're not even going to wear party frocks, nor so much as whiteones, " said Gertrude Crane. "I don't see what fun it will be. "

"And I suppose there are to be no boys, " put in Clara. 

"I haven't heard whether there are to be or not, " returned Gertrude. 

The question of boys did come up later when Mrs. MacDonald askedMargaret if she did not think it would be well to invite Frank andCharley Conway, as one of the "Friendlessers" was a boy. The two Porterboys who came out often to play with the Conway boys, were thought ofand were invited, and when Edna returned home on Friday evening CousinBen informed her that he, too, was going. 

"Why, Cousin Ben, " she said in pleased surprise, "how does that happen, when you are such a big boy, really a man, you know?"

"I must confess I fished for an invitation, " he told her. "Mrs. MacDonald was over here to ask if Charlie and Frank could come and Isaid, 'What's the matter with asking me, too?' and so I got my invite. Iwouldn't miss it for a six-pence. " Cousin Ben and Mrs. MacDonald weregreat friends and he was quite intimate at the big gray house so it wasno wonder that he wanted to be at Margaret's first party. 

It was as Ben said "a queer mix-up. " The first to arrive were the fourchildren from the Home of the Friendless, three little girls and onelittle boy. One of the teachers brought them out and remained in orderto take them back again. The big gray house looked cheerful and moreattractive than usual, for flowers were Mrs. MacDonald's great pleasureand they were everywhere, making up for the plainness of thefurnishings, for Mrs. MacDonald did not believe in showiness. Her housewas thoroughly comfortable but not elegant. 

These first arrivals were very shy, quite awe-stricken and sat on theedges of their chairs scarce daring to move until Margaret took them outto see the greenhouses. After that they were a little more at their easefor each came back with a flower. By a little after three all hadarrived, the Porter boys with their Punch and Judy show which they hadpromised to bring, and Ben with his banjo. All the girls wore plainfrocks with no extra ornaments, Margaret herself being not much betterdressed than her friends from the Home. 

The Punch and Judy show was given first as a sort of prelude to thegames which were to follow, and in these even the older girls joinedwith spirit. The main idea seemed to be that everyone should do his orher best to make the party a success and to give the poorer children asgood a time as possible. Ben, be it said, was the life of the occasion. He kept everyone going, never allowed a dull moment, and if nothing elsewas planned, he would pick up his banjo and give a funny coon song, sothat it was no wonder Mrs. MacDonald was glad to have invited him. 

Probably in all their lives the Friendlessers never forgot the wonderfultable to which they were led when refreshments were served, and whichthey talked of for weeks afterward. Here there was no stint and thedecorations were made as beautiful as possible. There were pretty littlefavors for everyone, and such good things to eat as would have donecredit to any entertainment. It was all over at six o'clock, but not onewent away with a feeling of having had a stupid time, for even the oldergirls agreed among themselves that it had been great fun. 

"Did you ever see anything like those children's eyes when they saw thattable, " said Agnes smiling at the recollection. 

"It must have been like a fairy tale to them, poor little things, "replied Helen Darby. "I think it was a perfectly lovely thing for Mrs. MacDonald to do. Won't I have fun telling father about it, and howinterested he will be. He has been quizzing me all day about my orphanasylum party, but I know he liked my going. "

"I liked that little Nettie Black, " Florence remarked. "She has such anice quaint little face, like an old-fashioned picture. Her name oughtto be Prudence or Charity or some of those queer old names. Where didyou pick her up, Edna?"

"Oh, she is the little girl that I kept house with at the time of theblizzard, " Edna told her. "She lives just a short way up the side road, and she is a very nice child. "

"I found that out, " returned Florence. "Why doesn't she belong to ourclub?"

"Because she doesn't go to our school. "

"To be sure, I forgot that. Well, she could be made an honorary memberor something, couldn't she Agnes?"

"Why, I should think so. We'll have to bring that up at our nextmeeting. Would she like to belong to the club, do you think, Edna?"

"She would just love to, I know. "

"Then we'll have to fix it some way. I'll ask mother or Mrs. Conway whatwe can do. "

"I don't know how we could all get into their parlor, " said Ednadoubtfully; "it is so very tiny. "

"We don't have to, " Agnes told her, "for you know the general club-roomis up in our attic and I'm sure that is big enough for anyone. If Nettiecomes into the club, when her turn comes for a meeting it can be held inthe general club-room. "

This was very satisfactory, but it did not do away with anotherdifficulty which came to Edna's mind. She knew that Mrs. Black hadbarely enough means to get along on with the utmost economy and howNettie could ever furnish even simple refreshments for a dozen or moregirls she did not know. However, she would not worry about that till thetime came. As yet Nettie was not even a member of the club. 

Margaret's party was talked about at school almost as much after asbefore it came off. Those who had been present discoursed upon the goodtime they had had, and those who were not there wished they had been. But to offset it, there came the report that Clara Adams was going tohave a party and that it would be in the evening and was expected to bea gorgeous affair. Jennie Ramsey was invited but had not made up hermind whether she wanted to go or not. As most of those who would beinvited were the children of Mrs. Adams's friends and were notschoolmates of Clara's it did not seem to Jennie that she would have avery good time. 

"It will be all fuss and feathers, " she told Dorothy and Edna, "and Iwon't know half the children there, besides I shall hear so much talkabout what I shall wear and all that, I believe I'd rather stay athome. "

"Clara is going to wear a lace frock over pink silk, I heard her say, "Dorothy told them. 

"I should think that would be very pretty, " declared Edna admiringly. 

"I'd rather be dressed as we were at Margaret's, " Jennie returned, "forthen we could romp around and not care anything about what happened toour clothes. " Jennie hadn't a spark of vanity and cared so little fordress as to be a surprise to the others. 

"Of course that was nice, but I should like the pretty clothes, too, "rejoined Edna with honesty. 

"They won't do anything, either, but dance and sit around and look ateach other, " continued Jennie. "I'd much rather play games like 'Goingto Jerusalem' and 'Forfeits' and all those things we did at Margaret's. I have all the dancing I want at dancing-school. No, I shall tell mymother I don't want to go. " Jennie had made up her mind, and that wasthe end of the matter for her. 

Therefore the others heard very little of what went on at Clara's party. That it came off they knew, and there was much talk of what this one orthat one wore, of how late they stayed and how many dances they had, butthat was all, and the stay-at-homes decided that, after all they had notmissed much, and if Clara's intention was to rouse their envy she failedof her purpose. 

At the next meeting of the club Nettie was voted in as an honorarymember. "That seems to be about the only thing we can do, " Agnesannounced, "and everyone seems to want her. " So the thing was done. 

If there was one thing above another which Nettie did long for it was tobecome a member of the club whose wonderful doings she had heard so muchof from Edna. The two had seen each other often, and now that the springwas nearing, rarely a Saturday came but that they met. It was Edna whotook her the joyful news on Friday evening. 

"I've something perfectly lovely to tell you, " she announced as soon asshe was inside the door of the little house. 

"What?" asked Nettie with a quick smile of interest. 

"You're going to be a member of our club. "

"Oh, Edna, how can I be? I don't go to your school. "

"I know, and that is why we had to make you an honorary member, " Agnessaid. 

"Oh, I think you are all the dearest things I ever knew, " cried Nettie. Then her face fell, "But, oh, Edna, how can we get all of you girls inthis little bit of a house?"

"Oh, you can meet in the general club-room at the Evanses, " Edna toldher. "Agnes says so and it is in their attic, you know. When a girlcan't very well have the meeting at her house we have it there. Once itwas to be at Betty Lowndes's house and her little sister had thechicken-pox so we couldn't meet there and we had it in the attic. "

Nettie's face cleared, but presently a new difficulty presented itself, one which she hesitated to speak of but which was a very serious one. How should she tell Edna what was in her mind? But she remembered thatEdna had seen the poverty of the family stores and that there was noneed to make any pretence to her. "There's another thing, " she began, "Ihaven't any money, and I couldn't ask mother for refreshments. "

"I thought of that, " answered Edna; "we might give them rice, " and thenthey both laughed. "If there were only some way you could earn somemoney and I could help you, " continued Edna with more seriousness. "Perhaps we could think of some way. If it were something we could bothdo, I could help you. "

"You are always so good that way, " replied Nettie gratefully. 

"Well, anyhow, " said Edna, "it won't be for some time yet that you haveto have the meeting and perhaps we can think of something. If we can'twould you mind if I ask mother what we could do?"

"I'd rather not, " replied Nettie doubtfully, "not unless you have to. "

"Then I won't unless I have to. "

"Perhaps my mother can think of a way, only I don't want to say anythingto her, for she will feel badly because she can't let me have the money, and I know I ought not to ask her for it. I won't ask, of course, but ifI tell it will be the same as asking, and it will make her feel sounhappy if she must say no, she can't. "

"Then we must try very hard to think of a way without telling anyone. You wouldn't need so very much, you know, Nettie, for we can have realcheap things like peanuts and gingerbread, or something like that. Ibelieve fifty cents would be enough to spend, and a dollar would beplenty. "

This seemed like a large amount to Nettie, though she did not say so, and the thought of earning that much weighed heavily upon her after Ednahad gone home. 

Edna's thoughts, too, were busy all the evening, and she was so absorbedin Nettie's dilemma that she sat with arms on the table and doingnothing but looking off into space so that at last her father said. "What's the matter, little girl? You haven't even asked for yourfavorite children's page of my evening paper, " and he handed it over toher. 

This was something that Edna always asked for and she took it now withsome little interest, and roused herself to look down the columns. Presently she breathed softly. "Oh!" She had seen something which gaveher an idea for Nettie, and she went to bed that night full of a hopewhich she meant her friend should know as soon as possible the nextday. 

CHAPTER IX

THE PUZZLE

When Edna awoke on Saturday morning her first thought was of Nettie andshe scrambled out of bed that she might not lose a moment's time intelling her of the discovery she had made the night before. She hurriedthrough her breakfast and was off to the little house as soon as she hadbeen given leave by her mother. She carried the page of her father'spaper safely folded in her hand, and ran nearly all the way, arrivingbreathless. She could scarcely wait for Nettie to open to her knock, andher words tumbled over each other as she replied to Nettie's greeting of"How nice and early you are, " by saying, "Oh, I have something so niceto tell you. "

"You had something nice to tell me when you came last evening, " returnedNettie; "you don't mean to say there is anything more. "

"Yes, I've found a way that maybe you can make some money, a dollar. "

This was exciting, "Oh, do tell me quick, " returned Nettie. 

Edna hastily began to open the paper she carried, and then she thrust itbefore Nettie, pointing to a line and saying, "There, read that. "

Nettie did as she was told, her eyes eagerly running over the words. "Oh, Edna, " she said, "do you believe we could do it?"

"Why, of course, but you see the main thing is to get it done as quicklyas possible, for the one who gets the answer to the puzzle the quickestand who has the clearest answer will get the first prize. Maybe wecouldn't get the very first, but we could get the second, and that's adollar. We must set to work right away. I thought we'd do the best wecould and then we'd get Cousin Ben to fix it up for us. "

"Would that be right?"

"Oh, I think so, for it doesn't say you mustn't have any help; it justsays the one who sends it in the soonest. I left a note for Cousin Bento stop here if he had time this morning. "

"Do you think he will?"

"If he has time. I told him it was something very particular. You don'tmind his knowing, do you, Nettie? He won't tell, I am sure. You don'tknow how well he can keep a secret. "

"No, I don't mind, " Nettie replied, "because he has been here and knowsall about everything. "

"Then let's go at it. "

"I must finish the dishes first. "

"Then would you rather I should help you with them or start on thepuzzle?"

"I think you'd better start on the puzzle. "

"Very well. I've been thinking a little about it, and I believe I'veguessed part. They are in the paper every week on Fridays, and I oftendo them, but this is the first time I've noticed that a prize has beenoffered. "

She took off her coat and hat, sat down at the table and spread out thepaper before her. Nettie furnished paper and pencil and then went backto her work in the kitchen. The two were busying their brains over thepuzzle when Ben appeared an hour later. 

"Hallo, " he said, "what's up, kiddies?"

"Why you see, " Edna began, "Nettie has been taken into the club, andwhen her time comes to have the club meeting she won't have any way ofgetting the refreshments, so we thought and thought of what we could doto get some money, and last night I saw in the Children's Corner of the_Times_ that they would give prizes for guessing a puzzle, you knowthose puzzles, Cousin Ben. "

"Yes, my child, I knew them of yore. "

"Well, don't you see if we can only guess this one quick and can send inthe answer right away we might get a dollar, anyhow. We have guessed alot of it, but I thought maybe you could help us a little and tell ushow to fix it up very nicely. Have you very much to do to-day?"

"Not so much but that I can spare you a little time for such laudableambition. Where's your puzzle?"

Edna produced the paper and then showed him what they had already done. "Do you think it is right as far as we've gone?" she asked anxiously. 

He looked over the page she offered him. "Pretty good so far. Let mesee. I think that must be John B. J on B. You see. "

"Of course, it is, why didn't we think of that? And this one, what doyou think that can be?"

Ben looked at this thoughtfully, and presently declared he had it. Sobit by bit the puzzle was completed and within an hour was in such shapeas pleased the girls immensely. 

"Now, " said Ben, "I'll tell you what I can do. I want to take the noontrain to town and I'll get this right down to the newspaper officemyself; I have to go near there, and so it will reach them much quickerthan if it were sent by mail, you see. "

"Oh, Cousin Ben, you are a perfect dear!" cried Edna. "I think that isjust lovely of you. We are so much obliged, aren't we, Nettie?"

"I am very much obliged to both of you, " returned Nettie sedately. Edna's interest was so great that she forgot she was not doing this forherself at all. 

"Shall we tell your mother?" asked Edna when Ben had gone, promisingthat he would attend to the puzzle the very first thing. 

"Why--" Nettie hesitated, "I'd like to have her know and yet I wouldlove dearly to have it for a surprise if we did win. When do you supposewe will know?"

"Not before next Friday, I suppose, but that will be soon enough, won'tit?"

"Yes, except that I can scarcely wait to know, and it is hard to keep asecret from your mother that long. "

"Why don't you tell her that you have a secret and that you can't tellher till Friday?"

"I might do that, but then suppose I shouldn't win; we would both bedisappointed. "

"What did you tell her just now that we were all doing?"

"I told her we were doing a puzzle, and she said as long as I had donemy morning's work I could stay with you. I have still my stockings todarn, but I can do those this afternoon. Mother always lets me do themwhen I choose; so long as I get them done before Sunday, that is all sheasks. "

Edna looked very sympathetic. She did not have to do her stockingsnowadays, though she remembered that it had been one of the week's taskswhen she was staying with Aunt Elizabeth, and it was one she muchdisliked. She stayed a little while longer and then returned home, forDorothy was coming that afternoon and they were both going over to seeMargaret to make what Dorothy said was their party call. 

The weather was quite mild; already the buds were beginning to swell onthe trees, and the crocuses were starting up in the little grass plot infront of Nettie's home. Edna stopped to look at them as she passed out. She was full of Nettie's secret but she had promised not to tell. Shewished Cousin Ben would come back so she could talk it over with him, but he was not to return till late in the day and meantime she mustoccupy herself and not say a word of what was uppermost in her mind. 

She found Celia and Agnes in the library talking earnestly. There was apleasant aroma of gingerbread pervading the house, and the fire in theopen grate looked very cheerful. What a dear place home was, and howglad she was always to get back to it. Agnes held out her hand as shecame in. "Well, chickabiddy, " she said, "where have you been? You are asrosy as an apple. "

"I've been down to Nettie's. I'm glad I don't have to darn mystockings. "

"Does Nettie have to?"

"Yes, and she has to wash the dishes, too. I did darn my stockings lastyear, but Katie does them all this year, so I don't even have to besorry for mother and think of her doing them, for Katie is paid to dothem. "

Agnes laughed. "But I have no doubt you would do them just as cheerfullyas Nettie does, if you had to do them. "

"I don't know about the cheerful part, but I wouldn't yell and scream. "

"Let us hope you would not, " said Celia. "I should hope you knew betterthan to behave like that. "

"Of course, " said Edna. "What were you talking about, you two?"

"Shall we tell her, Agnes?" asked Celia. 

"Why not? It will soon be talked over by all of us. "

"Well, we were talking of having something very special for the lastmeeting of the club, after school closes. You see most of the girls goaway for the summer, and we shall have to give the club a holiday, too. "

"What nice special thing were you thinking of?"

"We thought if we could have some nice little fairy play and have it outof doors, it would be lovely. We would invite our parents and theteachers and have a real big affair. "

"How perfectly lovely. What is the play?"

"Oh, dear, we haven't come to that yet. We did think some of having'Alice in Wonderland, ' but that has been done so often. We were wishingfor something original. "

"Why don't you get Cousin Ben to help you? He has so many funny thingsto say about the woodsy creatures. "

"The very one. Why didn't we think of him before, Agnes? He may be sillyabout some things, but he would certainly have ideas about that. Whereis he, Edna?"

"He has gone in town, and won't be back till late in the afternoon. "

"Trust you for keeping track of his movements, " said Celia laughing. "Idon't believe Ben yawns but Edna knows it. Well, we will see what hesays this evening. "

"Couldn't you and he come to our house after supper?" asked Agnes. 

"I'll find out and 'phone you when he comes in. He doesn't generallyhave anything special on hand Saturdays, unless something is going on atthe Abercrombies'. "

This gave Edna a new theme to think of and in consequence she did notfind it hard to keep from talking of Nettie's secret when she andDorothy met that afternoon. 

They took the news of the probable play to Margaret who wanted at onceto tell Mrs. MacDonald about it. She showed great interest and asked allsorts of questions. "Why couldn't you have it here in my grounds?" sheasked. "There is a good place just back of the house where the terraceis. I hope you will let it be Margaret's meeting and let me furnisheverything. "

"Oh, Mrs. Mac, there will be ever and ever so many people, for we aregoing to ask our families and the teachers and all those. " Edna wasquite overpowered. 

"Well, what of that? Haven't I as much right to entertain them as any ofthe others have, and have I less room than my neighbors?"

"Why, no, you have more. "

"Very well, then. I put in my plea the first one and I hope you will layit before your next meeting. " She spoke almost as if she were angry butthere was a merry little twinkle in her eyes which the girls had come toknow well. The next words were, "Go out, Margaret, and ask Lizzie tosend in some of the day's baking for your friends. There must be scones, or something of that kind. " The girls liked the Scotchy things, as theycalled them, that Mrs. MacDonald had for them, and the hot scones, witha "wee bittie" of honey or jam were generally as pleasant a treat asthey found anywhere. 

When Edna had returned from her visit she told Celia of what Mrs. MacDonald had offered and before they had finished talking of it, CousinBen came in, and was immediately set upon, though Edna ran out to meethim in the hall that she might whisper, "Did you leave it all right?"

"First thing, " he returned. "It couldn't have been an hour from the timeI left you before it was at the office. "

"Oh, goody, goody!" exclaimed Edna softly, patting her hands together. "Agnes has been here, Cousin Ben, and Celia wants to ask you something. Come into the library, please. "

He followed her in and the subject was opened to him of the little fairyplay. 

He shook his head. "Can't promise. That's a good deal to spring on afellow unbeknownst. I'll have to think about it. "

"But can't you go over to Agnes's this evening to talk it over?" askedCelia. 

Now Ben admired Agnes very much, though he would not have it known forthe world. "I was going to Abercrombies, " he said with apparentreluctance. 

"Oh, but you see Will Abercrombie every day, " said Celia coaxingly, "andwe do so want to have your help, Ben. "

"Well, perhaps I can 'phone to Will not to expect me, " said Ben givingin. "But if I take hold of this thing you girls will all have to do yourpart. "

"Oh, we will, " Celia promised earnestly. "We are none of us up to anoriginal play, but you are. "

"Such flattery, " laughed Ben. "Well, if I am going to call on ladies Imust go up and make myself look respectable. "

"He'll do it, " said Celia, as soon as her cousin had left the room. "Hehas as good as promised. "

Whatever was said that evening was not reported, but it is enough to saythat Ben had promised to see what he could do, and would let them knowlater when he had gone over the subject more thoroughly, so with thisthe girls had to be satisfied. 

There was no more to be heard of either puzzle or play during the weekwhile school was occupying them all, but on Friday Mrs. MacDonald'soffer was presented to the club and unanimously accepted with thanks. 

There was no delay in Edna's demand for the evening paper on thatFriday, but to her great disappointment her father found that he hadleft it in the car, and there was no way to get another copy till thenext day. Edna was almost in tears, for she had so counted on lettingNettie know the very first thing in the morning. 

"I am so sorry, " said her father. "I forgot entirely that the Fridayissue was the one in which you are always so interested. I will bringyou out a copy to-morrow, daughter. I will try not to forget it, but Igive you leave to call me up on the long distance, or rather theout-of-town line and get you to remind me. If you will call, say, atabout ten o'clock, I will send one of the boys out for it from theoffice. "

This was certainly more than Edna had any right to expect, and shethanked him as heartily as she could, though deep down in her heart thedisappointment still lingered and she felt that it would be harder stillfor Nettie to wait another day. 

However, she went early to the little house as she had promised, and sawNettie at the window on the watch for her. She looked so pleased whenshe saw her friend that Edna was all the more grieved at having to tellher she must wait till evening. "Oh, I am so glad you have come, " criedNettie as she met her at the door. "I have been watching for you forages. " And she drew her inside. 

CHAPTER X

A DOWNFALL OF PRIDE

"Oh, Edna, Edna!" Nettie jumped up and down and fairly hugged her friendin her joy. 

"Why, why, " Edna began, but Nettie interrupted her with "I have it! Ihave it!"

"Have what?" Edna was still mystified. 

"The prize! The prize! I won it. The money came in the mail thismorning. "

Edna had not counted on this possibility and it was as much of asurprise to her as it had been to Nettie. "Oh! Oh! Oh!" she cried, andshe, too, began to dance up and down hugging Nettie as fervently asNettie had hugged her. "Have you told your mother?"

"Oh, yes, I couldn't possibly keep it. "

"Do show me what they said. " So Nettie took her in and showed her theprecious letter with the enclosed order for a dollar, which made it seema very real thing. 

"Ben will be so pleased, " said Edna with satisfaction. "It is reallyowing to him that it got there soon enough. "

"And to you for helping me and for telling me in the first place. Ithink I ought to divide with you. "

"Why, Nettie Black, you won't do any such thing. Don't you know that itwas all on your account that we did it in the first place?"

"Ye-es, but after your doing so much it doesn't seem fair for you tohave none of it. "

"I'll have some of the refreshments, won't I?"

Nettie laughed. "I hope so. "

"Have you decided what you will have?"

"Not exactly. I thought I would wait till you came to talk it over withmother. You said something about gingerbread and my mother can make thenicest you ever saw. "

"Would she make some for you? I wonder if it would cost very much. Noneof the girls have had gingerbread, and I am sure it would be liked. "

"Then let's go see what mother says. "

Mrs. Black was in the kitchen making bread for her Saturday baking. Shesmiled on the two children's eager faces which showed that something ofunusual interest was going on. "Mother, " began Nettie, "you know I am tohave the club meeting after a while, and it is to be at the generalclub-room at Miss Agnes Evans's house, and you know we always haverefreshments, " Nettie spoke as if she had already attended everymeeting, when that of the afternoon before had been her very first. 

"Yes, I remember you told me, dear, " said her mother. 

"And I told you that was why we tried for the puzzle prize, so that Icould pay for my refreshments. Does gingerbread cost very much?"

"No, my dear, it costs less than any other kind of cake. "

"But how much? I mean how much would it cost to make enough for--forfourteen girls?"

"Why, not a great deal. I could bake them in the little scalloped pansso they would be more crusty. I don't believe it would cost more thantwenty-five cents, for you know we have our own eggs. "

"Good! Then what else could I have? We can't have more than threethings. "

"Let me think for a minute and I will perhaps be able to suggestsomething. " She went on kneading her bread while the children watchedher. Presently she said: "I have a bottle of raspberry shrub that yourAunt Henrietta gave me and which we have never used. Would you like tohave that? I can recommend it as a very nice drink, and I should be veryglad to donate it. "

"Would it be nice?" Nettie looked at Edna for endorsement. 

"I think it would be perfectly delicious, " she decided, "and nobody hashad anything like that. We have had ginger ale and lemonade, andchocolate and such things. "

"Then, mother, that will be very nice, thank you, " said Nettie, as ifEdna were at the other end of a telephone wire. "Now for number three. I shall have ever so much to spend on that, so I could have mostanything. "

"What have the other girls had?" Mrs. Black asked Edna. 

"Oh, different things. Some have had sandwiches and chocolate and somekind of candy, and some have had ice cream and cake and candy; some havehad--let me see--cake and lemonade and fruit, but the third thing isgenerally some kind of candy. "

"Do you remember what Uncle David sent us last week?" Mrs. Black askedNettie. 

"The maple sugar? Oh, yes, but would it be nice to have just littlechunks of maple sugar?"

"No, but don't you know what delicious creamy candies we made by boilingand stirring it? Why not do some of it that way? It would be a littleout of the usual run, and quite unlike what is bought at the shops. "

"What do you think, Edna?" Nettie again appealed to her friend. 

"I think it would be fine. Oh, Nettie you will have things that aren't abit like anyone else has had and they will all be so good. I am sure thegirls will say so. "

Nettie beamed. This was such a pleasant thing to hear. "But I haven'tspent but twenty-five cents of my prize money, " she said. 

"Are you so very sorry for that?" her mother asked. 

"No, but--Is it all mine, mother, to do what I choose with, even if Idon't spend it for the club?"

"Why, of course, my dear. You earned it, and if I am able to help youout a little that should make no difference. "

"Then I think I know what I should like to do with it. I shall make twosecrets of it and one I shall tell you, mother, and the other I can tellEdna. "

"Tell me mine now, " said Edna getting down from the chair. 

Nettie took her off into the next room where there was much whisperingfor the next few minutes. "I shall get something for mother, " Nettieexplained. "I don't know exactly what but I will find out what she needsthe most. "

"I think that is a perfectly lovely plan, " agreed Edna. "Now I must goback and tell Ben, for he will want to know. You come up this afternoon, Nettie, won't you?"

Nettie promised, and after Edna had gone she said to her mother, "Mother, I think I will spend part of my money on a birthday gift forEdna. It was all her doings about the puzzle and I would like to haveher have something I could buy with the money. Will you help me?"

"Indeed I will, my dear, and I think that is an excellent plan. "

So Nettie had her two secrets and in time both gifts were given. 

Her meeting was an interesting one. The girls always liked the old atticand it was seldom that a meeting there did not turn out to be one whichwas thoroughly enjoyed. The refreshments received even more praise thanEdna had predicted, for not a crumb of gingerbread, not a singlemaple-sugar cream, nor a drop of raspberry shrub was left, and thehonorary member went home in an exalted frame of mind. 

On the very evening of this meeting, while Edna was looking over herfavorite page of her father's paper, she heard him say to his wife. "Humph. That was a bad failure of Green and Adams to-day. Adams was apretty high-flyer, and a good many of the men on the 'Change have beenprophesying this crash. "

"What Adams is that?" asked Mrs. Conway. 

"Oliver Adams. He lives on the square, you know, in that large whitehouse with the lions in front. "

Edna pricked up her ears. "Is it Clara Adams's father?" she asked. 

"Does she live on the square?" asked her mother. 

"Yes, in a big white house with lions in front just like father said. "

"Then, of course, it is the same. "

"What has happened to him, mother?"

"He has lost a great deal of money, dear?"

"Oh, poor Clara. "

"I'm afraid she will be poor Clara sure enough, " returned her father. "He can't keep up that way of living very long. His wife is asextravagant as he is, and I doubt if there is much left out of theestate. "

Edna wondered if Clara would have to live in a tiny, little house likeNettie's and if she would be very unhappy. Would she leave school, and--There were so many wonderings that she asked her mother a greatmany questions, and went off on Monday morning feeling quite ready togive Clara all the sympathy she needed. 

But Clara was not at school on Monday, but on the next day she appeared. The news of her father's failure was common talk so that every girl inschool had heard of it, and wondered if it would have any effect onClara. For a time it did not, but in a short time it was whispered aboutthat the Adamses had removed to another street and into a much smallerhouse. Clara no longer came to school in the automobile, and those girlswho had clung to her on account of the powers of riches now openlydeserted, declared that she had left their neighborhood and inconsequence could no longer belong to their club. Then in a little whileit was announced that the club had disbanded, and the remaining memberscame in a body and begged that they might be taken into the G. R. 's. There was much discussion. Some were for, some were against it, butfinally the rule of the club was acted upon and the five new memberstook their places, leaving Clara in lonely grandeur. She treated thisdesertion with such open scorn and was so very unpleasant to those whohad formerly been her friends, that they turned their backs upon herutterly, declaring that they would rather pay a fine every day in theweek than be nice to Clara Adams. 

"Hateful thing!" Edna heard Nellie Haskell say one day quite loudenough for Clara to hear. "She's kept us out of a lot of fun and wewere geese to keep in with her so long. I'm sorry I ever had anything todo with her. I think she is the most disagreeable girl that ever was. "

Edna looked over at Clara who was sitting very still by herself on abench in one corner of the playground. She looked after the three girlswho had just passed and were now walking down the path with their armsaround one another. So had she seen them with Clara not so very longbefore. She thought she would go over and say something to her oldenemy, but what to say--She had no good excuse. Then she remembered anexceedingly pretty paper-doll which had been sent her by her CousinLouis Morrison. His aunt had painted it and it was much handsomer thanone ordinarily saw. Edna had it in the book she carried. She drew inher breath quickly, then started over to Clara's corner. 

"Don't you want to see my paper-doll?" she asked. "It is such a beauty. "And without waiting for an answer she opened her book and held out thedoll for Clara to see. It was given rather a grudging glance, but it wasreally too pretty not to be admired and Clara replied with a show ofindifference, "It is quite pretty, isn't it?"

Edna sat down by her. "I will show you some of her dresses, " she wenton. Clara loved paper-dolls, and she could not but be a littleinterested. Anything which was painted or drawn was of more interest toher than most things. She had shown her talent in that way by the fatalcaricature. 

"Somebody told me you could make mighty pretty paper-dolls, " Edna wenton, bound to make herself agreeable. 

"I do make them sometimes, " replied Clara a little more graciously, "butI could never make any as pretty as this. I can copy things pretty well, but I can't make them up myself. "

For a moment Edna struggled with herself. The doll was a new and veryprecious possession, but--She hesitated only a moment and then she said:"Would you like to copy this? I will lend it to you if you would liketo. "

There was a time when Clara might have spurned even this kind offer, setting it down as "trying to get in" with her, but her pride and vanityhad received a blow when the Neighborhood Club was broken up and shecast forth, and she took the offer in the spirit in which it was meant. "Oh, would you do that?" she said. "I should love to copy it and I willtake awfully good care of the doll. "

"You can take it now, " said Edna laying the doll on the other's lap. There should be no chance for her to change her mind. Clara slipped thedoll into one of her books and just then the bell rang, so they went intogether. 

After school Dorothy clutched her chum. "Edna Conway, " she cried, "did Isee you talking to Clara Adams?"

"Um-huh, " returned Edna. 

"Well, you are the greatest one. I should think after all she has donethat you would want to keep as far away from her as possible. "

"Well, " said Edna. "I said I was going to be nice to her if ever I hadthe chance and I had the chance. "

"If you are going with her, I can tell you that all the girls will turntheir backs on you. "

"I didn't say I was going with her all the time, but I don't see why Ican't speak to her if I want to. "

"Oh, I suppose you can speak, but I shouldn't do much more than that. "

Edna made no reply. She had her own ideas of what she meant to do. 

"Where is your paper-doll?" asked Dorothy, "I want to show it to Agnes. "

"I haven't it with me, " returned Edna a little confusedly. 

"You had it when we went down to recess. Is it in your desk? Go on andget it, that is a dear. Agnes wants to see it. "

"It isn't in my desk. I haven't it, " returned Edna bluntly. 

"You don't mean to say you have given it away? Edna Conway, you can'thave given it to Clara Adams!" Dorothy's voice expressed horror anddismay. 

"No, I haven't _given_ it to her; I only lent it to her, " replied Edna. 

"Well, of all things!" Dorothy was stricken dumb for a moment. Then sheput her arms around her friend and hugged her. "You are an angel, " shesaid. "I couldn't have done such a thing to save me, and I don't believethere is another girl in the school who could. I'm going to tell Agnes. "

"Oh, please don't, " begged Edna. 

But Dorothy was off and presently Agnes came over to where the two hadbeen standing. "What did you lend Clara your doll for, Edna?" she asked. 

"Because I didn't want to pay a fine, " replied she. 

Agnes laughed. "That is one way out of it. I suppose the next thing weknow you will be proposing that we ask Clara Adams into our club. Halfthe girls will leave if you do, I can promise you that. "

This was something very like a threat, and it had the effect Agnes meantit should, though it did not prevent Edna from making plans of her ownconcerning Clara. She smiled at her as she took her seat in class thenext morning, and for the very first time in all her life she receivedfrom Clara a smile in return. 

CHAPTER XI

A NEW MEMBER

During this time Miss Newman had not won more than respect from hergirls. She was an excellent teacher and kept good order, but she had toosevere a manner to call forth affection. Nevertheless she did appreciateany little kindness done her, and was not unwilling to repay when theopportunity came. Dorothy and Edna had always stood up for her, and hadbrought her the small gifts which children like to take their teachers, a particularly large and rosy apple, a bunch of flowers, a moreimportant present at Christmas and a growing plant at Easter. They didnot know much about her home life, for she was not the affable personMiss Ashurst had been. Uncle Justus had told Edna that she lived with aninvalid sister in quite a different quarter of the city, and that shehad a long way to come to school. 

One spring afternoon as Celia and Edna were starting forth, a suddenshower overtook them. They were going home every day now as they haddone in the early fall, and were hurrying for their train when they sawMiss Newman just ahead of them without an umbrella. "There's MissNewman, " said Edna to her sister, "and she has no umbrella; I'm going togive her mine and come under yours, Celia, " then before Celia could saya word she ran on ahead. "Please take my umbrella, Miss Newman, " shesaid. "I can go under Celia's. "

"But you may need it before Monday, " said Miss Newman. 

"Oh, no, I won't, for I am going straight home. We are to have a clubmeeting at the Evanses this afternoon, or I should not be in such ahurry. "

"And I am in a hurry, too, " said Miss Newman, "for I am very anxious toget home to my sister. Thank you very much for the umbrella. I shouldhave had to go in somewhere, it is pouring so, and that would havedelayed me. "

By this time Celia came up and Edna slipped under her sister's umbrella. They took their car at the next corner, but they saw Miss Newmanstanding on the other side waiting for the car which should come alongsomewhat later. "Poor thing, " said Edna as she looked from the carwindow; "she would have been soaked, Celia, if she had had to standthere without an umbrella, and she has a cold now. "

Celia smiled. "I believe you would love a chimpanzee, or a snake, Edna. "

"I think little green snakes are very pretty, " returned Edna calmly. "Cousin Ben likes them, too. He showed me one in the grass last Sunday. I felt sorry for it because nearly everybody hates snakes, and CousinBen said this one was perfectly harmless. "

"I draw the line at snakes, " returned Celia. "I suppose you feel sorryfor Miss Newman. "

"Yes, I do; she is so unpretty. "

Celia laughed. "That is a delicate way of putting it, I am sure. Well, Iam glad she has one friend; no doubt she needs it. Most of the girlsaren't so ready to say nice things of her as they were of Miss Ashurst. "

"I know it, " replied Edna, "and that is one reason Dorothy and I standup for her. We say suppose we were as--as ugly as that, and had to go along, long way to school every day to teach horrid girls who didn't benice to us, how would we like it?"

"She looks like a cross old thing, " returned Celia rather flippantly. 

"She isn't exactly cross, but she isn't the kind you can lean up againstand say 'what a pretty tie you have on, ' as we did with Miss Ashurst. Celia, I am afraid Miss Newman never will get married. "

Celia laughed. "Perhaps she doesn't want to. Everyone doesn't, youknow. "

This was rather beyond Edna's comprehension, and she sat pondering overthe extraordinary statement till the car reached the station. Shearrived early in the school-room on Monday morning to find Miss Newmanalready there. She looked up with a smile as the little girl entered. "Ibrought back your umbrella, " she said. "I don't know what I should havedone without it. I left my sister rather worse than usual and I wantedvery much to get home as soon as possible. "

"Is your sister ill?" asked Edna

"She is never very well. When she was a little girl, younger than you, she fell and hurt her spine. She has never been well since, and at timessuffers very much. "

"How was she this morning?" asked Edna sympathetically. 

"She was much better. I left her sitting on the porch in the sun. Shecan walk only a few steps, you see, and sometimes has to be lifted fromplace to place. "

"Who lifts her?" Edna was much interested at this peep into MissNewman's life. 

"I do when I am there, for I know just how to do it without hurtingher. "

"Will she sit there all day where you left her?"

"Oh, no, for she has a wheeling chair and the old woman who lives withus can wheel her in when she is ready to go. "

"Tell me some more. " Edna leaned her elbows on the table and looked ather teacher with a wistful look. She did feel so very sorry for thispoor sister who could not walk. 

"She is a very cheerful, bright person, " Miss Newman went on, "andeveryone loves her. She is very fond of children and is continuallydoing something for those in the neighborhood. It is far from being awealthy street, and back of us there are many very poor people. AtChristmas we had a tree for the ones who couldn't have one at home, andmy sister made nearly everything on it, such pretty things they were, too. There was a present for each child. "

"I think that was perfectly lovely, " said Edna. This was the kind ofthing that appealed to her. "What is your sister's name?"

"Her name is Eloise. "

"I think that is a beautiful name. I should like very much to see her. "

"She would like very much to see you, for she knows every one of myclass, and asks about each one when I go home. You see she cannot go outinto the world where I go, I have to take what I can of it to her. " Itwas evident that this was the subject which was nearest to the teacher'sheart, and that when talking of it she showed the gentlest side of hernature. "How would you like to go home with me this afternoon to seeher, you and Dorothy Evans?"

"I would love to go, but are you sure she would like to have us come?"

"I don't know of anything that would please her more. She has never seenone of my pupils and has often longed to, for as I told you she has tosee the world through my eyes, and anything that interests me interestsher. "

"I'll tell Dorothy as soon as she comes and I will ask Celia if I maygo. Thank you, Miss Newman for inviting us. " Then a number of girls camein and school was called to order before Edna had a chance to speak toher sister. 

At recess, however, the matter was talked over, both Agnes and Celialistening attentively. "I don't think they ought to go home with MissNewman, " decided Agnes, "for she probably has dinner as soon as she getshome and it would make extra trouble. If they could go later it might beall right. I'd better go and talk to Miss Newman myself, then we cantell better what can be done. " She went off and soon came back to saythat she had arranged to go with the little girls later in theafternoon. "We can take a car from there which will connect with ourline and in that way we shall not have to come all the way back into thecity. "

But a better arrangement than that was made, for when Margaret andJennie heard of the affair they were so eager to be included in theparty, that Miss Newman noticing their wistfulness, asked if they, too, would come. "There is nothing my sister likes better than to have acompany of children around her to whom she can tell some tale. She is agreat one for that, and often has as many as a dozen children on theporch, " she told them. 

"Then, I will tell you what we can do, " said Jennie. "I know mother willsay we may all go in the motor-car, and I can take you girls home justas well as not. I will call mother up now and tell her all about it. " Soin a few minutes the whole matter was arranged by telephone. The threelittle girls, Edna, Dorothy and Margaret were to go home with Jennie toluncheon and then they would make the start from there. 

"That is just like the Ramseys, " said Agnes, "they always come forwardat just the right moment and do the thing that makes it pleasantest allaround. Now we can go home at the usual time, Celia feeling perfectlysafe about the girls. "

Therefore about three o'clock on this bright afternoon in May they setforth in the automobile which was to take them to Miss Newman's and callfor them later. Through a very unfamiliar part of the city they wenttill they came to a short street with a row of small houses on eachside. Each house had a garden in front and a porch. In the very last onewhich had more ground around it than the rest, Miss Newman lived. Theporch was covered with vines and in the garden there was a perfectwealth of flowers. A bird-cage in which a canary was singing, hung nearthe window. One end of the porch was screened by a bamboo shade. It wasa very pretty nesty little place. Huddled down in a chair, with her headsupported by pillows was Miss Eloise who smiled up at the girls as MissNewman brought them forward one after another. Miss Eloise had a muchmore lovely face than her sister. Her eyes were beautiful, she hadquantities of wavy dark hair, a sweet mouth and a delicate nose. Thehand she held out was so small and fragile that when Edna clasped it inher plump fingers it seemed almost as if she were holding the claws ofsome bird. 

"So this is Edna, " she said. "She looks just as I thought she did. Dorothy I know her by her hair, and Margaret because she is the tallestof them, so of course the one left must be Jennie. I am so pleased tosee you all. Sister, will you wheel me just a little further back sothere will be more room for us all?"

Miss Newman was quick to spring to her sister's side, wheeling the chairat just the right angle, settling the pillows, and then passing her handcaressingly over Miss Eloise's dark locks. The girls could not imagineher so tender. 

"I hope you are feeling well to-day, " began Edna to start theconversation. 

"Who wouldn't feel well in such glorious weather. It is such a beautifulworld, and has so many interesting things in it. How is your sister, Edna?"

"She is very well, " replied Edna, surprised that Miss Eloise should knowshe had a sister. 

"And yours, Dorothy? I hear she is such a sweet, pretty girl. "

Dorothy likewise surprised, made answer that Agnes was very well andwould have come with them but that the four of them came in the Ramseys'motor-car. 

"And wasn't it fun to see it come whirling up?" said Miss Eloise. "Itwas the very first time a motor-car ever came to our door, and I wasexcited over it. I think it was very sweet of Mrs. Ramsey to give methis pleasure, and, Margaret I cannot tell you how I enjoyed the flowersyou used to bring to sister in the winter. Your mother must have theloveliest greenhouse. I never saw such fine big stalks of mignonette. Weshall have mignonette a little later, for our flowers are coming onfinely. As for the books you all gave sister at Christmas they have beena perfect feast. I am so glad to have you here and to be able to thankyou for all the things you have done to make the long winter go morequickly for me. "

The girls looked at one another. If they had known what their littlegifts were to mean, how many times they could have added to them. Theyhad not a word to say for they had not understood how a little ripple ofkindness may widen till it touches an unknown shore. 

"Now tell me about your club, " Miss Eloise went on. "I should so like tohear what you did at the last meeting. Sister tells me all she can, butshe doesn't have a chance to learn as much as I should like. I am sogreedy, you see. I am like a child who says when you tell it a story, and think you have finished, 'Tell on. ' I am always crying 'Tell on. ' Itis the most beautiful club I ever heard of and I am sorry I am not alittle girl at your school so I could belong to it and enjoy the goodtimes with you. "

"But, darling, you have your own little club, " said her sister, "and youare always thinking of what you can do for others. "

"Oh, I know, but I live in such a tiny little world, and my 'littledrops of water, little grains of sand' are such wee things. "

"They mean a great deal more than you imagine, " said her sister gently. "I am sure I could never live without them. "

"Oh, that is because you make so much of me and what I do. She is agreat sister, " she said nodding to the girls. "She is a regular Atlasbecause she has to bring her world home on her back every day to me. Yes, indeed. Perhaps you don't think I am aware of all that goes on inthat school-room. Why I even know when one of you misses a lesson, andif you will let me tell you a secret, I actually cried the day ClaraAdams did the caricature. "

"Oh, dear, oh, dear, " Edna could not help sighing aloud while the othergirls looked as much ashamed as if they had done the thing themselves. However, when Miss Eloise saw this she broke into a laugh and began totell them of some very funny thing she had seen from the porch thatmorning, then followed one funny tale after another till the girls wereall laughing till the tears ran down their cheeks. Miss Eloise had thedrollest way of telling things, and the merriest laugh herself. After awhile Miss Newman went inside and presently came out with a tray onwhich were glasses of lemonade and a plate of small cakes. These werepassed around, and much enjoyed. 

"Now tell them one of your stories, " said Miss Newman to her sister. 

"Shall I make up a new one or shall I tell them one of the old ones?"

"Tell them the one the Maginnis children like so much. "

The children settled themselves in pleased anticipation, and a marveloustale they listened to. Miss Eloise had a wonderful gift of story-tellingand made every incident seem real and every character to stand out asvividly as if he or she were actually before them. The children listenedin wrapt attention. She was a wonder to them. 

The tale was scarcely over when up came the motor-car with Mrs. Ramseyin it. She stepped out and came in the gate and up to the porch. "Iwanted to come, too, Miss Newman, " she said. "I hope you don't mind. "

"Oh, mother, " cried Jennie, "you are just too late to hear the mostbeautiful story ever was. "

"Now isn't that too bad?" said Mrs. Ramsey. "I feel guilty to interruptthis pleasant party, but I am afraid I shall have to take these girlshome for it is getting late. "

However, she did not hurry them and there was time for her to have alittle talk with both Miss Newman and Miss Eloise. Just as she was aboutto take her leave she asked, "Do you think you would be able to take alittle ride in the motor-car, Miss Eloise, if I were to come for yousome day?"

"Oh, sister, could I?" Miss Eloise turned to Miss Newman, her eyes likestars. "I haven't been off this street for years, " she said to Mrs. Ramsey. 

"We would be very careful, " said Mrs. Ramsey, seeing that Miss Newmanlooked doubtful. "The man could wheel the chair out to the car and couldlift her in. It runs very smoothly and we would not go too fast nor onany of the streets which are not asphalt. "

"Oh, sister!" Miss Eloise looked as pleadingly as any child. 

"I have never wheeled her further than the corner, " said Miss Newman, "for fear of the jolting when we had to go over the curb, but some daywhen she is feeling her best--"

"You will let me know--" put in Mrs. Ramsey eagerly. "Of course you willgo, too, Miss Newman, and as soon as you think she has gone far enoughwe can come back. You know it is quite smooth and the riding easy goingeven as far as Brookside. "

"Why that is our station, " spoke up Edna. 

Mrs. Ramsey nodded and smiled, and they said their good-bys leaving MissEloise feeling as if a new world were to open to her. 

Of course Mrs. Ramsey listened to a full account of all that had gone onduring the afternoon, and was deeply interested in the two sisters. "Ijust love Miss Newman, " declared Dorothy. "She is the sweetest thing toher sister. "

"They just adore one another, " Jennie told her mother. "Miss Newmanseems like some one else when I think of her now. I am so glad we went. "

"So am I, " replied her mother. 

"And Miss Eloise knows all about our club and is so interested in it, "Edna remarked. "Girls, we must always tell Miss Newman about themeetings after this so she can tell Miss Eloise all that goes on. "

"Of course we must, " they agreed. 

"I know something better than that you could do, " Mrs. Ramsey told them. "Why not make Miss Eloise an honorary member as you did Nettie Black? Ithink you could stretch your rule far enough not to make it out of theway to have one grown up person, when it is such a character as MissEloise. She could be the exception who will prove the rule. "

"But, Mrs. Ramsey, she couldn't come to the meetings. " Dorothy remindedher. 

"No, but you could take turns in going to her; I mean you could appointa committee of two to go to her each week and tell her about theprevious meeting, then once in a while when she felt able, you couldmeet at her house. "

"What a perfectly fine plan, " cried Edna. "Will you tell Agnes and Celiaabout it, Mrs. Ramsey?"

"Why certainly, if you like. "

"Now? This afternoon when you take us to our houses, Dorothy and me?"

"I don't see any objection. "

The upshot of this was that Miss Eloise was admitted to the club to herintense delight. After Agnes and Celia had been to see her they were soenthusiastic that all the girls in the club by twos and threes paid hervisits, and she came to know them every one. 

CHAPTER XII

THE FLOWER PLAY

As the time approached for the flower play to be given attention therewas considerable anxiety on the part of those who had taken it in hand. Ben declared that while he could do the main part of the work all right, he must have help of the girls in certain directions. "I'm no good atall when it comes to dialogue, " he told them. "I can do the mechanicalpart, get the thing into shape for the stage, give you the general plotand all that, but you'll have to do the dialogue. "

"Oh, but Ben, " said Agnes, "suppose we can't. "

"Then it will have to fall through. "

The girls looked very sober over this; they realized that Ben was givingthem more than they had any right to expect, and they could not ask himto give his studies second place. "Well, " said Agnes rather dolefully, "we'll have to do the best we can. "

"Angels can do no more, " returned Ben, "and since you are so near tothat class of beings you ought to be able to do something pretty fine. "

The compliment had the effect of bringing a smile to Agnes's face and sothe matter rested for that day. However, it was a subject which couldnot be allowed to rest for very long as the time was fast approachingwhen the parts must be given out for the girls to study. "And there willhave to be ever so many rehearsals, " said Agnes woefully to Celia asthey were talking it over together on the Conways' porch. 

"We don't seem to make a bit of headway, " said Celia. "What we havewritten sounds so silly and flat. I'm afraid it will never be the kindof thing we hoped for. "

"Ben has a lovely little plot and all the ideas he has given us aboutthe scenes and the dressing of the characters and the funny situationsare mighty good, " returned Agnes, "it does seem as if between us all weought to be able to do the rest when we have eighteen regular members inthe club and two honorary ones. "

Edna who was sitting on the top step listening attentively to all this, looked up. "Why don't you ask Miss Eloise to help you? She would loveto, and she tells such beautiful, beautiful stories, you know. "

"That is a brilliant idea, " returned Agnes, "but she says she can neverwrite them, she can only tell them. "

"But couldn't she tell what to say and one of you write it down?"

Agnes looked at Celia and Celia looked at Agnes. "She has struck it, Ido believe, " cried Celia. 

"Edna, honey, you are a child worth knowing, " said Agnes. "The idea ofyour thinking of such a simple way out of the trouble when the rest ofus were fumbling around for ideas. Of course that can be done, and asyou say, I have no doubt but that Miss Eloise will be perfectlydelighted to do anything she can for the club. Where is Ben? Do hunt himup, Edna, that's a good child. "

As Edna generally knew Ben's haunts she was not long in finding him. Hewas much interested in what she had to say, threw down the book he wasstudying and went with her to join the girls. He was really very anxiousto please them all and would go to almost any lengths to do it. 

"Ben, " cried Agnes as he came up on the porch. "Isn't that a fine schemethat Edna has thought of?"

"I should smile, and I have thought of just the stunt to get it in shapethe quickest. If one of you girls will go with me to present me to thelady, I can take down what she says in shorthand and knock it off on thetype-writer afterward. Then we'll all get together, you two girls, MissEloise and yours truly, and we'll put the whole thing into shape indouble-quick time. How does that strike you?"

"Ben, you have saved our lives. When can you go to see Miss Eloise? Thisafternoon? It is Saturday and you haven't anything on hand moreimportant than foot-ball, have you?"

"Do not speak slightingly of my athletic sports, if you please. However, I can forego the delights of being mauled for one afternoon, I reckon, and am at your service, fair lady. When shall you want to start?"

"Oh, right after luncheon, I think; as early as possible so as to have agood long afternoon. I do hope Miss Eloise is feeling fairly wellto-day. "

"Miss Newman says she is better all the time nowadays, since she has somuch more to interest her, " piped up Edna. "She told me yesterday thatshe had not had one of those dreadful attacks for ever so long. "

"Then let us hope for the best, " answered Ben. 

It was exactly as Edna had predicted; Miss Eloise entered into the planwith the greatest eagerness, and when Ben had opened up his plot to herand had showed her how he had planned the scenes she said she would takea few minutes to think it over and then she thought she could give himsome of the needed dialogue, and before they left Ben had taken down asmuch as was necessary for this first time, promising to come back forthe rest. 

"I'll get this into shape and bring it with me, " he told Miss Eloise. 

"And we can make copies so as to give out that much for the girls tolearn, " said Agnes. 

They returned in high spirits, and for some time Ben's type-writingmachine was heard clicking away. The characters had already been talkedover and the principle ones given out. Ben had chosen very prettyfantastic names for the various flowers who were to be represented. Jennie was to be Pussy Willow; Edna, Pinky Blooms; Dorothy, Daisy White;Agnes, Rose Wild; Celia, Violet Blue, while Ben, himself was to be theold giant, Pine Knot, who lived in a swamp. It had been found necessaryto introduce some of the boys into the play so Charlie and FrankConway, Steve and Roger Porter were pressed into service. Charlie was tobe Sassy Fras; Frank, Winter Green; Steve, Cran Berry, while Roger wasto be the giant's henchman, Pine Needles. 

The play was not to be for a week after school closed that they allmight have plenty of time for its preparation without interfering withtheir school work. There was never very much fuss made over the closingby Uncle Justus, so there was not that excitement. Mr. Horner did notbelieve in showy commencements, and when the girls were graduated theysimply received their diplomas after a few simple exercises, and thenthe school was dismissed. Therefore, the play was the great subject ofconversation among the scholars. The girls who were already in the clubwere triumphantly sounding its praises to those who were not, whilethose who were not in were clamoring for entrance. However, it had beendecided that no more new members would be admitted until fall, as therewas already enough heart-burning over the players and their parts. Thegiving out of these had been left entirely to Miss Eloise who had chosenas she thought best, so there was at least no one of the girls to accuseof partiality. Margaret in the very beginning announced that her motherdid not want her to take part and that she did not care to herself, asshe was to have the fun of entertaining them all at her house, andmoreover, she "couldn't act any more than a broomstick. "

Of all the girls who felt the most bitter probably Clara Adams was theone who was chief among them. It was the greatest grievance she had everknown, in the first place not to take part in such a thing and in thesecond not even to be invited to the entertainment. Each girl in theclub was allowed to ask two persons, and each one taking part in theplay was allowed the same privilege, therefore, with her two brothersamong the characters and her sister as well, Edna was free to ask anyoneshe chose. Mr. And Mrs. Horner had received an invitation from the wholeclub, so had Miss Newman, and the other teachers, and many of the pupilswho were outside the charmed circle were invited by their schoolmateswho were free to give invitations, only Clara Adams was not consideredfor a moment by anyone, and she was very miserable over the fact. Ifever she regretted her past disagreeable treatment of her schoolfellows, it was now, but she would not have admitted this even toherself, although in her heart of hearts she was conscious of it beingso. 

"I'm not coming back here to school next year, " she announced to Ednaone day. The two had little chats once in a while and, to do Clarajustice, she did her best to be pleasant whenever Edna gave her thechance. 

"Oh, aren't you? Why not?" asked Edna. 

Clara was silent for a moment, then she said, quite honestly, "My fathercan't afford to send me to such an expensive school. I suppose I shallhave to go to the public school. " Then in a new accession of pride, "Anyhow, father likes the public school better. "

"Oh, " Edna could not truthfully say she was sorry, for the fact, thoughshe was sorry for the girl. She told the other girls what Clara had saidand the gist of most of the responses was "Good riddance to badrubbish. " So it did not look very favorable for an enthusiastic farewellto poor Clara in the way of attentions to a departing friend. If anyonethought of her at all it was Edna, and she was too busy with all herother interests to give much regret to Clara. 

It was only when her mother asked her one day, "Has anyone invited ClaraAdams to the great meeting of the club when you are to wind up the yearwith such a flourish?" that her conscience began to prick her. 

"Nobody has asked her, " she answered, "and she is dying to come. Sheisn't coming back to school next year, you know. "

"Yes, I think you told me that. I feel very sorry for her. Of course, she is not at all the kind of child I should choose for a companion formy little girl, but I am very glad you have tried to be kind to her, though I cannot say I regret her leaving the school you attend. "

Edna was silent for a moment and so was her mother who presently asked:"Have you given out all your invitations, dear?"

"No, mother, I still have one. "

"Whom did you send the other to?"

"Miss Martin. She and her father were so nice to me at the fair youknow, but one of the other girls has invited Mr. Martin. "

"I see. That was certainly a very good choice for you to make. "

"I can't quite decide about the other one, " Edna went on. "I want togive it to the one who wants it most, of the two girls at school whowould love to have it. "

"Is one of them Clara Adams?"

"Oh, mother, no. Nobody wants her. " Then after a silence, "I suppose shewants to come badder than anyone else, but--mother, do you think, do youreally think I ought to invite her?"

"Why, my dear, that is for you to decide. "

"Oh, dear, " Edna gave a long sigh. Never in her life had she been moreput to it to make up her mind. "I don't want to one bit, " she declaredafter a moment's thought. "All of the girls will be down on me and say Iam a silly goose and all that. "

"It is probably your very last chance of doing her a kindness as shewill possibly not cross your path again, " Mrs. Conway reminded her. 

Edna drew a longer sigh than before. The situation was getting harderand harder. "Mother, " she said with a woebegone face, "why do therightest things always be the hardest ones?"

"I don't think they always are, dear child. Is this so very hard?"

"Oh, yes. I think it is the hardest thing I most ever had to do. Evenlast year when those things about Louis worried me so, I didn't mind somuch, for I was really fond of Louis. He was my cousin and it seemedmore as if I ought to. "

"Well, dearie, suppose you think over it a while. You can keep back yourinvitation till the very last minute, you know, for if you do decide tolet Clara have it, she will be glad to accept even at the eleventh hour, I am sure. "

"Suppose she should say horrid mean things and stir up a fuss as shedoes so many times, I should feel so badly. "

"I don't believe she would do that because she would be enjoying herselfand would probably be on her best behavior. If you like, I will see thatshe sits next to me which would be quite right if she should be yourguest, and it will not spoil my pleasure if she should make disagreeableremarks. "

Edna went over and leaned her elbows on her mother's lap, looking up inher face and asking. "What would you say to yourself if she madedisagreeable remarks?"

"I should say, 'Never mind; I am so happy that my own darling littlegirl made the sacrifice of asking her that nothing else matters much. '"

"And you wouldn't say anything to her?"

"I should, no doubt, say several things to her, " replied Mrs. Conwaykissing the eager face uplifted toward hers. 

Edna went over to the window and stood there a long time, but she sawnone of the things she looked out upon. She was having a sharp struggle. Clara and her mother against all the girls in the club, that was the wayit seemed to be, but finally the former conquered and she went back towhere her mother still sat. "Mother, " she said firmly, "I am going toinvite Clara. I have made up my mind. Will you please ask Agnes andCelia to take my part?"

"My blessed child, of course I will. What sort of a Golden Rule would itbe that allowed a little girl to be chidden for carrying out itsprecepts. As president of your club, Agnes will surely see that you areacting upon its principles, and Celia, too, must see it. They must notlet their enjoyment and their love of harmony make them forget thatpart. "

Then Edna snuggled very close to her mother and felt comforted. "I amnot going to keep her from knowing, " she said. "I'll tell her firstthing, so she can have the fun of looking forward to it. " When Edna dida thing there was no doing it by halves. 

Therefore it was a surprised and delighted Clara who received herinvitation the next day, and to Edna's great satisfaction all the goodin the girl rose to the occasion. "I think you are the very sweetestgirl I ever knew, Edna Conway, " she said, "and I am sorry, I really am, that I haven't always been friends with you. I was horrid, often I was, "and this was Edna's compensation. 

Such a flutter and flurry and whispering and giggling there was on thatafternoon when everything was in readiness for the little flower play. There was quite a large audience gathered on the smooth green lawn whereseats had been placed for them. The shrubs and flower beds with treesbeyond made a fine background for the stretch of terrace, which became astage for the occasion. Jennie in a fuzzy grayish brown frock with ahood, made a dear little Pussy Willow, Edna in pink with her rosy cheekswas the very picture of Pinky Blooms, Dorothy's golden head made alovely centre for Daisy White, while as for Ben, the big giant, he wasthe roughest, toughest old Pine Knot one could imagine. 

"If only Miss Eloise could be here to see us, " said Edna as she peepedfrom behind the leafy screen which hid the flower fairies from view. 

Dorothy was peeping, too, and presently she exclaimed, "She is here! Oh, Edna, she is here! See, they are bringing her now!" And sure enough, there in her wheeled chair was Miss Eloise, her lovely face all smilesas her sister and Mr. Ramsey pushed her chair along. 

"I do believe Mrs. Ramsey brought her out, " cried Edna. 

"She did, " Jennie told them, "I didn't tell, because I thought it wouldbe such a nice surprise for everybody. "

A surprise it was indeed, and because of her presence, or because it isgenerally so, they all did much better than at any of their rehearsalsand received such applause as quite overpowered them. Then Mr. Ramseyraised a call for "Author! Author!" So after some little delay Ben, still in his giant's dress, was brought around and wheeled Miss Eloiseout to the very front where she was given another round of applause andmore flowers than she could hold. She quite forgot herself in heranxiety that Ben should receive what was due to him and all unmindful ofthe large audience, she cried out, "Oh, but I did so little; it is allBen's plan!"

Then Ben was cheered, and in the midst of such very specialdemonstrations he beat a retreat. 

Clara established by Mrs. Conway's side had not a word of anything butpraise and delight, and after the little players came out to mix withtheir friends she sought out Edna. "It was the loveliest thing I eversaw, " she told her, "and I do thank you for letting me come. "

"She was really very decent, " said the girls, looking after her as shestarted for home with her mother who called for her. 

Edna watched her out of sight, a feeling of pity mingled with gladnessin her heart. And so Clara Adams passed out of her life, for beforeanother year the entire family had moved out west, and the places whichsaw Clara Adams saw her no more. 

The stars were coming out before they all left Mrs. MacDonald's. Theguests had taken their departure earlier and had been as complimentaryas anyone could desire. Miss Eloise, tired but very happy, had gone offwith the Ramseys in their motor-car. Edna, Dorothy and Margaret walkeddown to the gate to watch the sunset, all yellow and glowing. 

"Miss Newman looked almost pretty, " said Dorothy. "She had such a dearfrock on and her hair is much nicer the way she wore it to-day. I shallfeel so very different about having her for a teacher next year. "

"So shall I, " agreed Edna. 

Moggins, Margaret's cat had sought them out and was rubbing up againsthis little mistress. "Oh, you poor dear, I don't believe anyone hasthought to give you your milk, " said Margaret. So she went off with thecat in her arms. 

Then "Where are you, Dorothy?" cried her sister, and Dorothy scamperedoff that she might not be left behind on the homeward walk. 

Edna walked slowly toward the house. Halfway up the walk she met UncleJustus. "I was just coming for you to walk home with me, " he told her. "Your aunt and I are going to stay all night. "

"I'm glad of that, " Edna replied slipping her hand into his. 

They walked on toward the road, quite silent for a few moments, tillEdna looking up, said, "Uncle Justus, I think you have a perfectlylovely school. "

He smiled down at her. 

"I have some perfectly lovely pupils, " he answered with a smile. 

THE END

 * * * * *

TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE

The original language, punctuation and spelling have been retained, except where noted. 

The following changes were made to the original text (the original textis on the first line, the correction is on the following line):

 23: you, do you?' you, do you?"

 27: to say. Wouldn't you like to know what to say: Wouldn't you like to know what

 34: didn't stay but came over to us. " She didn't stay but came over to us. She

 55: the next time, " said Agnes, and after the next time, " said Agnes, "and after

 108: right away, " declared Nettie, for it takes right away, " declared Nettie, "for it takes

 117: "I'll wait, " he said, and if you will "I'll wait, " he said, "and if you will

 161: make you an honorary member, Agnes said. " make you an honorary member, " Agnes said. 

 167: time this morning. Time this morning. "

 231: Miss Newman says she is better all the "Miss Newman says she is better all the

 242: precepts. As president, of your club, precepts. As president of your club, * * * * *