"

"Oh, but Miss Jinny's coming at five, and David won't leave till
half-past four!" protested Judith, horrified at such a prospect, and
beginning to scramble out of her clothes with lively haste. "And you
promised to show me the night-life room, too, when all the students
were there and the model wasn't posing! Oh, dear Elinor, you're a very
agitating person! I'm twice as wide-awake as I was a minute ago!"

When Elinor and Patricia were alone, Patricia opened the subject that
had been occupying her thought for the last few minutes.

"You'll try for that library panel prize, won't you, Norn?" she asked,
pleadingly. "Griffin and Margaret Howes both say you ought. I know
you could do something worth while."

Elinor paused in her hair brushing, and sank down on the stool,
absently propping her chin on her brush.

"It doesn't seem worth while," she began, but Patricia broke in
impatiently:

"You never know what you can do till you try. I'd try for anything I
was eligible for, if I couldn't draw a stroke, just to be in with the
rest."

Elinor smiled and pulled Patricia down beside her on the stool.

"Don't be too hard on your lazy old sister, Miss Pat," she said with a
kiss. "I'll promise to go in for it if you won't scold any more. If I
disgrace the family, you mustn't cast it up to me."

Patricia tossed her bright head scornfully.

"'Disgrace!'" she repeated hotly. "Why, do you know, Elinor Kendall,
that they're all saying _already_ that you're a wonder?" Then with a
swift change, she broke into a giggle. "Wait till you lay eyes on my
contribution to the modeling competition. You'll have the treat of
your young life then!"

"What's it to be?" asked Elinor, releasing her and beginning to braid
her dark hair.

"Don't know," replied Patricia gayly. "Don't care, either. Whatever
it is, I'm going into it tooth and nail. I'll show them that I'm on
the turf even if I can't win a ribbon."

Judith's voice came plaintively from her room.

"I don't think it's fair," she faltered. "You girls keep chattering so
I can't go to sleep, and the ten minutes are up long ago."

"Bless your heart, Infant, you're a martyr to our long tongues!" cried
Patricia, jumping up and putting out the light. "Go to sleep now. We
won't chirp a single note. Good-night, and happy dreams!"

CHAPTER VII

DAVID'S TREAT

"I haven't had my criticism yet, and if I don't get it next pose,
you'll have to go to the stati