ne and Mrs. Meredith stepped
out. There was a young man with them whom I didn't like very well. He
had a queer way of looking at you, and was over-dressed, I thought.
Imogene looked very handsome, and, oh, loads older! I felt a perfect
baby beside her! Mrs. Meredith was just the same, only even more
elaborately gowned than she used to be when she visited Imogene.
Imogene was as surprised as I was, I think, though she didn't show
it. She and her mother shook hands with me, and she introduced her
friend. I was so excited I didn't hear his name at all. She told me
she was going to be married at Christmas time, and so wouldn't be
back at St. Helen's, and Mr. Whoever-he-was laughed and said Imogene
had been to school long enough. Dad and I asked them to tea with us,
but they said they were just hurrying through and couldn't come.

"'When they left us and went into the hotel I had the queerest
feeling. 'Twas just as though I had said good-by to Imogene
forever--just as though she'd gone away into a different world. And
the queerest part of it all was that I didn't care very much. It
seemed years since I had cared for her--years since we had done
things together at St. Helen's. That night after I had put Virginia
to bed, and come out on the porch with Dad, a big machine flew by our
house. I heard some one laugh, and knew it was Imogene. She hadn't
been hurrying through; she just hadn't cared to come. I suppose it
ought to have hurt me, but it didn't. I was glad she'd stopped
caring, too, the way I had. Then, at least, neither of us would be
hurt. The only thing I'm sorry about is that Imogene has gone into
that kind of a world. I don't believe it can give the best kind of
happiness, do you?

"'It's nearly church time, and I must hurry. We're all going
together. It's Virginia's very first service, except for those at the
Home, and I do hope she'll be good. I've been instructing her for
days--telling her just what to do and what not to do. I'm afraid I'll
send out many thoughts in your direction, but Miss Wallace says
they're prayers anyway--that is, the kind I'd send to you, so I guess
it will be all right. There's Virginia calling now.

"'Dearest love,
"'DOROTHY.

"'P.S. After service. She was angelic! When she knelt and closed her
eyes, she looked li