y, I can dust the benches in a little while, if you wish!"

"Did not my heart tell me you were my good angel? Oh, _mademoiselle_,
if you will be so kind!"

He handed the duster to Laura with a sigh of relief and returned to the
overseeing of things in another part of the hall.

"Why, Lol, it's like belonging to the troupe," cried Ivy, who came at
her friend's call and seated herself on a back seat where she could see
everything that went on, while Laura gave the benches a careful
overhauling.

Meanwhile the open doorway was filled with a group of curious children,
wide-eyed and smiling, among whom were Nettie Lee and little Claude
Bonner.

Laura's task completed, she placed the duster upon a front seat and
turned to go away with Ivy. They had almost reached the door when they
heard a voice:

"_Merci, mademoiselle_," cried the foreign gentleman, overtaking them;
"may I prevail upon you to accept this ticket to the performance, as a
slight acknowledgment of my obligations--or, better still," as he
glanced at Ivy, "come to the side door tonight and ask for Mr. Edmonds
and bring your sister and," his eyes strayed to the line of wondering
childish faces at the door, "the rest of your little brothers and
sisters!"

Laura's surprised and happy look and Ivy's gasp of pleasure gave
testimony to their delight, and the man smiled as he watched them going
away joyfully.

"_Merci, mademoiselle!_" cried Ivy, with a titter of delight, "Oh, Lol,
isn't it lovely to be able to go after all!"

"Yes, it's fine! But I shall have to hurry home; there will be so much
to do. I must help Nettie to get ready."

That little girl who was walking behind them clapped her hands.

"What are you going to wear, Laura?"

"Me? My white, I guess--"

"I'll wear my old standby--the dotted lawn."

They went down the street chatting gaily but presently Ivy's enthusiasm
died away; her mind seemed intent on something else. At last she
turned to Laura, saying in a rather choked voice:

"Lol, would you mind taking Lafe instead of me? You know he is so
anxious to go!"

Laura veiled her surprise at this new phase in her friend, who had
always hitherto claimed the best as her right. Her eyes glistened as
she replied,

"Yes, indeed, I would mind his coming instead of you, but I shouldn't
mind his coming along; tell him to bring Donald, too."

"But what will Mr. Edmonds think?"

"He said all my little brothers and sisters. I'm sure yo