ught they might amuse you for a
while--"

"They were simply diabolical--but just on a par with all the rest! The
girls gone to enjoy themselves--and that hateful Hugh running away
every day as though afraid I might encroach on his valuable time--and--"

"Hugh? Why, what has he done?"

"He's not been the same since that day we went blackberrying."

"'We have pleasant words for the stranger,
And smiles for the sometimes guest;
But for our own the bitter tone
Though we love our own the best,'"

quoted Mrs. Bonner. "I'm afraid that's your way with Hugh, sometimes,
Ivy, and as for the girls leaving you alone, you almost ran them out of
the house!"

"They might as least have called in on their way home!"

"Have they gone past?"

"I haven't seen them, but they were to be back about half past four and
see, it's nearly six--Ah, here they are now!"

The girls came bustling in.

"All the way from China!" cried Laura breathlessly.

Ivy listened to their adventures with glowing eyes.

"So the buccaneers took you captive for ransom and carried you across
the ocean; but a gallant ship, flying the American colors and commanded
by a brave knight, came to your relief, swept the pirate fleet from off
the sea and brought you away, leaving the waves red with gore!"

"And here we are with all our valuables intact, even to this little
vase of purest amethyst," said Alene, handing Ivy the blue glass
goblet, while Laura gave a package to Mrs. Bonner, saying impressively:

"And these tumblers of priceless glittering crystal are yours, dear
madame; here's your change--fifteen cents--they only cost a nickle
apiece."

This called forth a chorus of mirthful exclamations, in the midst of
which two little figures came quietly in. Emboldened by Ivy's smiling
countenance, they stole to her side and displayed a collection of
bright pebbles which they had picked up from the flat, tar-coated roof
of the foundry, which, being built against a hill, was easily reached
from the upper street.

"We gathered them for you," said Nettie shyly.

"Oh, girls, while you were in China, these tots journeyed to the
sea-shore in search of treasure, and I'm the Princess Lazybones who
sits at home, and receives her subjects' peace-offerings."

"There, Alene has forgotten something," said Mrs. Bonner, picking up a
small bundle from the table. Laura reached for it, intending to
overtake Alene who had gone away a few minutes before, bu