companions.

Mrs. Elwood, who was sitting in her favorite chair reading a
magazine, looked up absently, then, staring incredulously at the
newcomers, trotted across the room, both hands outstretched in
welcome. "Why, Miss Harlowe and Miss Nesbit, I had given you up for
to-night. Here are Miss Pierson and Miss Briggs, too. I'm so glad to
see you. When did you arrive? I thought there was no train from the
north before nine o'clock."

"Didn't Miss Dean tell you we had arrived?" asked Grace, as Mrs.
Elwood shook hands in turn with each girl.

"I haven't seen Miss Dean. She went out before I came home," replied
Mrs. Elwood.

"Wait until we catch the faithless Emma," threatened Anne. "She
promised to be our herald. We arrived here at a little after five
o'clock. We did not stay here long, for Miss Thayer, of Morton House,
invited us to dinner at Vinton's."

"How do you like the way I fixed your room this year?" asked Mrs.
Elwood.

"We haven't been in it yet," answered Grace. "That is, we went only
as far as the door."

"Oh, then you must see it at once," said Mrs. Elwood briskly. "I
have had it repapered. There is a new rug on the floor, too, and I
have put a new Morris chair in and taken out one of the cane-seated