ve it when the shadows begin to gather, and only
the firelight glows and gleams! Those andirons are very old. They
belonged to one of my ancestors. There are a lot of old things in the
garret. What garret is not full of antiques?"

"Ours," returned Elfreda promptly. "We belong to that despised class,
'nouveau riche,' therefore we are extremely short on noted ancestors and
relics and things."

"There is nothing like perfect frankness, is there?" laughed Patience.
"Never mind, Elfreda, it isn't ancestors that count."

"It is dinner that counts, or ought to count, just now. I am going to
whisk you upstairs to your rooms, and give you ten minutes for repairs,
then, 'down to dinner you must go, you must go,'" chanted Mabel, winding
her arm about Grace's waist and drawing her toward the stairway. "Follow
us and you won't be sorry. We have a lift if two flights of stairs
dismay you."

"Lead on," commanded Miriam.

"Which will you choose, to room together or alone?"

"Together!" was the united response.

"Wait a moment," said Anne. "I wish to ask you, Mabel, if you would
object to rooming with Grace. I have roomed with her so long that I feel
as though I"--with a mischievous glance at Grace's amazed face, Anne
finished in a deliberate tone--"were very selfish. So I thought perhaps
you would appreciate an opportunity to have her to yourself, too."

"Oh!" ejaculated Elfreda. "I thought you were going to say you were
tired of Grace."

"So did I." A smile gave place to the peculiar expression on Grace's
face. "I might have known better, though."

"That is generous in you, Anne," declared Mabel "As hostess I wouldn't
have been so selfish as to propose it, but----"

"Anne, if you really don't care, I would like to room with Mabel,"
interposed Grace. "I have so much to tell her that the rest of you have
already heard. We can have lengthy midnight confabs without disturbing
any one but ourselves."

"Then, that settles it. Room together you shall," averred Anne. "There
is no use in breaking up the Nesbit-Briggs Association. Patience, will
you accept me for a roommate?"

Patience bowed exaggeratedly and offered her arm to Anne.

"Come on, Grace, we'll lead the way," proposed Mabel. "I am so anxious
for you to meet Father. I expect him home at any moment." Tucking her
arm in Grace's, she led the party up the stairs and, pausing before a
half-open door, said hospitably: "Welcome all over again, children. This
room is for