I can't. I
promised Grace first."

Without waiting to hear more, Grace walked briskly into the room,
saying decisively, "Of course she can go, Arline."

"Why, Grace Harlowe, where did you come from?" exclaimed Arline, her
blue eyes opening wide with surprise.

"From downstairs," laughed Grace. "Just in time, too, to make Ruth
change her mind. Now, Ruth, tell us the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth. Wouldn't you rather go to New York City with
Arline than to Oakdale with us?"

Ruth flushed. "That isn't a fair question," she protested. "It isn't
because I care more about going to New York than Oakdale. It is----" she
hesitated.

"Because you care more for Arline than for us," finished Grace calmly.
"I understand the situation, I think. Your friendship for Arline is
growing to be the same as mine for Anne. Naturally, you'd rather be with
her than with any one else. Now, Arline, I'll leave her in your hands.
We wouldn't have her go to Oakdale with us if she begged on her knees to
do so," concluded Grace.

"Grace Harlowe, you're a dear!" exclaimed Arline, catching Grace's hand
in both of her warm little palms. "I just love you. Next to Ruth, I
think you are the nicest girl at Overton. Thank you a thousand times for
being so nice over Ruth. Now, you simply must go," she announced,
turning to Ruth.

"I will," answered Ruth happily. "You don't blame me for saying so?" she
asked, looking pleadingly at Grace.

"Not after having just given my official consent," retorted Grace. "Your
penalty for deserting us is that you must come to see us at Wayne Hall
to-morrow. We have rich gifts for you. Now I must go. Are you going my
way home?"

"No," answered Arline. "I'm sorry, but Ruth and I are going to cook our
own supper. I've been asked to help. We are going to have a regular
feast. Won't you stay and help eat it? Ruth doesn't care who I invite,"
she added saucily.

"Please stay, Grace," begged Ruth.

Grace shook her head. "Not to-night. Invite me some evening after the
holidays. Good-bye, Arline." She extended her hand, but Arline put both
arms around Grace's neck, kissing her warmly. "I hope I can do something
for you some day," she whispered. After the usual good wishes for a
Merry Christmas had been exchanged, Grace emerged from the house, filled
with that sense of warmth and elation that comes from having made others
happy. She smiled to herself as her mother's face rose before her. It
was only a