anybody would rather go to a place to which they had been decently
invited than to be elbowed and yelled at and forced. Water and rest and
tea did much to restore them to comfort, and as they discussed matters
in their rooms afterward they assured each other that the Mayville House
was just the place to stop at. A discussion was in progress as to the
evening meeting. Miss Erskine had taken down her hair and donned a
becoming wrapper, and reposed serenely in the rocking-chair, offering no
remark beyond the composed and decided, "I am not going over in the
woods to-night by any manner of means; that would be enough if I were
actually one of the lunatics instead of a mild looker-on."

"I haven't the least idea of going, either," Eurie said, sitting on a
stool, balancing her stockinged feet against Ruth's rocker. "Not that I
mind the rain, or that it wouldn't be fun enough if I were not so dead
tired. But I tell you, girls, I have had to work like a soldier to get
ready, and having the care of such a set as you have been all day has
been too much for me. A religious meeting would just finish me. I'm
going to save myself up for morning. You are a goosie to go, Marion. It
is as dark as ink, and is raining. What can you see to-night?"

"I tell you I've _got_ to go," Marion said, as she quietly unstrapped
her shawl. "I earn my bread, as you are very well aware, by teaching
school; but my butter, and a few such delicacies, I get by writing up
folks and things. I've promised to give a melting account of this first
meeting, and I have no idea of losing the chance. Flossy Shipley, you
may wear my waterproof every minute if you will go with me. It is long
enough to drag a quarter of a yard, and a rain drop can not get near
enough to think of you.

"But it is so damp," shivered Flossy, looking drearily out into the