Hilda by an empty hearth--and she had been often alone--but there was
this which made the difference, he would not have asked Hilda to meet
his daughter's friends. She had her place in his household, but it was
not the place which Emily filled.

Yet he missed her. He missed her blond picturesqueness at the dinner
table, her trim whiteness as she served him in his office.

He came back to the question of Emily. "You can tell Drake we will go,
if Emily can accompany us."

"But, Doctor, I'd rather not."

"Why not?"

"I'm not included in the invitation."

"Don't be self-conscious."

"And I haven't anything to wear."

"You never looked better than you do at this moment. And Jean can get
you that scarf of her mother's with the jet and spangles."

"The peacocky one--oh, yes, Daddy." Jean danced back to the telephone.

Derry was delighted to include Miss Bridges. "Bring a dozen if you
wish."

"I don't want a dozen. I want just Daddy and Emily."