Miss Agnes Sinclair to
Thomas Dudley Scott.

Of course, Dorothy and Tavia were invited, and the card of Agnes' mother
came with that of the daughter. Mrs. Sinclair and Mrs. White were close
friends.

"I have been wondering why Mrs. Sinclair had not called to see Ned,"
commented Mrs. White when Dorothy handed her the cards. "This explains it,
of course. Dorothy, what did I tell you? See how well trained my eyes
are."

"But when Agnes showed plainly she wanted to pose with Ned," argued
Dorothy, "that was--"

"Just to throw you off the scent, of course," finished Mrs. White. "Well,
I am glad we are going to have an engagement for the holidays. It will
make a little round of gaieties for the young folks. Dorothy, you may give
Agnes her first shower."

"And make it something good to eat," suggested Nat. "No fun in giving a
girl a lot of drygoods--make it ice-cream."

Ned was recovering rapidly, and he too joined in suggesting plans for the
"handing around of Agnes." He insisted it was up to him and Nat to give
Tom a sendoff, and finally did obtain Mrs. White's permission to give a
bachelor dinner in the coach house. They wanted the affair given where
there would be no objection to either noise or "muss," as Nat put it, so
the coach house was decided upon.

"Plans, plans, nothing but plans," sang Tavia. "I wish some one would make
plans for me. I would like to elope this very evening. I am not particular
about having a partner in the going away; a railroad ticket would answer."

Dorothy glanced up quickly at Tavia. She knew the latter almost meant what
she said--that is, she would really like to run away before Christmas
morning.

"And shake me?" asked Nat in mock concern. "Now, Tavia, you and I have
been friends for a long, long time--"

But this was too much for Tavia. Suddenly she jumped up, put her hand to
her eyes and dashed from the room.

"She's crying!" whispered Ned.

Then Dorothy, too, left the room. She went to comfort Tavia.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS

"Well, I never expected to forgive him--he was so mean and obstinate--"

The unpleasant, treble voice of Miss Jane Pumfret was interrupted by the
lower tones of Major Dale.

"But, my dear woman," he said, "Captain Mayberry is not responsible--he is
sick, mentally and physically."

"Well, I'll see," and she arose to go, "I am not much of a hand at making
up, anyway."

"But if you could have seen how he begged me to send