ind
fault or criticise what is set before you, to draw comparisons between
the locality where you live and that which you are visiting so that the
latter will appear in a bad light. Persons who have not been
accustomed to the society of well-bred people think it is very smart to
find fault with things which are different from those with which they
have been familiar. Now, I don't want my Polly to be that way, and I
must ask her not to be so rude as to abuse hospitality by belittling
the customs of a house or the town, state or locality in which it is.
I want my Polly to be considered a true lady, even if she is from the
wild and woolly west."

Mary looked a little startled while this reading was going on and when
Polly stole a glance at her she became very red in the face and turned
away her head, but to Polly's great satisfaction, from that time she
was less ready to criticise things American. In consequence
warm-hearted little Polly tried to be magnanimous and because Aunt Ada
asked her to help her to show a generous hospitality, she overlooked
Mary's praise of England, and would answer her remarks by saying:
"Well, we have some nice things, too." Her clear loud voice, moreover,
she tried to tone down when Aunt Ada told her to notice the difference
between her way of speaking and Mary's. As to Mary the benefits of her
visit were only beginning to tell. Later they showed more plainly, but
it was not till there was much heart-burning and many tears were shed.

It all began in this way: Molly rushed in one morning, her face all
aglow with the importance of the news she had to tell. "Oh, Aunt Ada,"
she cried, "they are going to have a dress-up party at Green Island
hall, fancy costumes, you know, and we are all invited, you and Uncle
Dick and we children. The Ludlows have come and it is Miss Kitty's
birthday. Will you go? and what can we wear?"

"Oh, mayn't I be a grown-up lady and wear a long skirt?" asked Mary.
"I have always longed to do that."

"Why, I am sure I don't object," replied Miss Ada. "Tell me more about
it, Molly. Where did you find out all this?"

"I met Edgar Ludlow just now, and he gave me this note," and Molly
thrust an envelope into her aunt's hand. "He told me all about the
party."

Miss Ada opened the note and read:

"DEAR ADA:

"Come over to the hall to-morrow night, you and your brother, and bring
the youngsters. We are going to celebrate my birthday by dressing up
in any