d to this last intimate gathering.

"Now, Hippy, stick to the truth," commanded Mrs. Gray, shaking her
finger at him, but handing him the plate at the same time. Hippy swooped
down upon it with a gurgle of delight.

"It's the truth. I swear it," he declared, holding up one fat hand in
which he clutched a cake.

"What made you give him the plate, Aunt Rose?" asked Tom reproachfully.

"Bless you, child, there are plenty of cakes. Let Hippy have as many as
he can eat."

"Vindicated," chuckled Hippy, between cakes, "and given full possession
besides."

"I wouldn't be so greedy," sniffed Nora O'Malley.

"I'm so glad. I dislike greedy little girls," retorted Hippy
patronizingly.

"Stop squabbling," interposed Grace. "Here we are on the eve of
separation and yet you two are bickering as energetically as when you
first caught sight of each other two weeks ago. Did you ever agree on
any subject?"

"Let me see," said Hippy. "Did we, Nora?"

"Never," replied Nora emphatically.

"Then, let's begin now," suggested Hippy hopefully. "If you will agree
always to agree with me I will agree--"

"Thank you, but I can't imagine myself as ever being so foolish,"
interrupted Nora loftily.

"She spoke the truth," said Hippy sadly. "We never can agree. It is
better that we should part. Will you think of me, when I am gone? That
is the burning question. Will you, won't you, can you, can't you
remember me?" He beamed sentimentally on Nora, who beamed on him in
return, at the same time making almost imperceptible signs to Grace to
capture the plate of cakes, of which Hippy was still in possession. In
his efforts to be impressive, Hippy had, for the moment, forgotten the
cakes. But he was not to be caught napping. The instant Grace made a sly
movement toward the plate it was whisked from under her fingers.

"Naughty, naughty, mustn't touch!" he exclaimed, eyeing Grace
reprovingly.

"Let him alone, girls, and come over here," broke in David Nesbit. "He
only does these things to make himself the center of attraction. He
wants all the attention."

"Ha," jeered Hippy exultantly. "David thinks that crushing remark will
fill me with such overwhelming shame that I shall drop the cakes and
retire to a distant corner. He little knows what manner of man I am. I
will defend my rights until not a vestige of doubt remains as to who is
who in Oakdale."

"There is not a vestige of doubt in my mind as to what will happen in
about ten secon