back amongst us. She must go upstairs and dress quickly, and then we
will have supper and put away unpleasant thoughts, and Mademoiselle must
really dry her eyes, for I cannot have any more crying to-night."

"If Peexie will forgeeve me!" cried Mademoiselle, stretching out her
arms and clasping Pixie in so tight an embrace that when her little snub
nose came again in sight, it bore the pattern of a steel button plainly
stamped upon it. "I won't forgeeve myself that I was so 'arsh and
cross. It was a poor thanks, _cherie_, for your kindness to me all
these weeks when I have been so warm and comfortable. I am ashamed to
remember what I have done."

"Small blame to you if you were mad when you believed I was telling a
lie to your face! But ye weren't half so nasty as ye think ye were,"
said Pixie, beaming upon her in sweetest condescension. "Sometimes ye
were quite agreeable. There was one day I was in with a cold, and ye
came and cheered up me spirits until I hardly knew meself for the same
creature."

Mademoiselle lifted her hands with an eloquent gesture, as a sudden
remembrance darted into her mind.

"Ah, yes! It is true. And now I have something else to tell you, you
girls! It is Pixie whom you have to thank for this party, not me. It
was she who begged me to supplicate Miss Phipps for you. She said, `She
will say Yes if it is you who ask, but not to me, therefore you must not
say my name at all; but if she will not give the party because I am to
be punished, tell her to send me to bed and let the rest be 'appy.' The
dear child has thought of you when you were all so cross with her!"

There was an outburst of cheering from all corners of the room, in the
midst of which Evelyn fell back in her chair and tugged with both hands
at her long dark locks.

"And I called her a hardened little sinner! I abused her like a
pickpocket, and called her an ungrateful serpent! Bring some sackcloth
and ashes, somebody, quickly! I shall go in mourning for the rest of my
life!"

CHAPTER FIFTEEN.

AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION.

"That child Pixie is more wonderful than ever. What do you think she
asks me next?" said Mademoiselle to Miss Phipps early the next morning.
"The dear Breedgie has told her to invite a friend to return 'ome with
her for the holidays, and she gives me the letter to read, and asks that
it shall be me! I have laughed, but it is no use; she is still in
earnest. I have said, `I am not a s