oss, J. Elfreda Briggs," laughed Grace. "We have something
nice to show you." She handed the telegram to Elfreda with: "We want you
to go to the station with us this afternoon. The train is due at
five-thirty."

Elfreda's round face flushed at this mark of thoughtfulness on the part
of the girls she adored, and agreed almost shyly to make one of the
party. She had never become quite used to the knowledge that these three
young women had long since accepted her as one of their number.
Consequently an invitation to participate in their personal good times
or to share their intimate friends was always a matter of wonder to her.

The train was reported to be on time, but the quartette of happy-faced
young women who waited impatiently for its arrival from the north that
afternoon were agreed that it must be late. It was Anne who, when it
rushed into the station, first espied the familiar figure of the
snowy-haired old lady who had brought so much sunshine into her life,
and her quick eyes also discovered the identity of the tall,
broad-shouldered young man who was helping her down the car steps. "Oh,
Tom Gray is with her!" she exclaimed in delight.

"How nice!" cried Grace, with frank, unembarrassed pleasure. "I never
thought that he would come with Mrs. Gray."

Her three friends exchanged significant glances. It was quite evident
that Grace Harlowe's regard for Tom held nothing of the sentimental.

"Here they are! Here are my dear Christmas children!" Mrs. Gray looked
no older than when she had welcomed them to her house party eight
Christmases before. She spoke in the same sprightly manner, and smiled
in the same kindly, gentle fashion that had warmed the heart of Anne
Pierson when, poor and unknown, she had placed her hand in Mrs. Gray's
at that first eventful freshman tea which was the beginning of happiness
for her. Anne's brown eyes filled with tears as she embraced her "fairy
godmother" and heard her murmur, "My own dear Anne."

"Please give Aunt Rose a chance to catch her breath and turn your
attention upon me," was Tom's plaintive plea.

"We are terribly, horribly, dreadfully glad to see you!" laughed Grace,
shaking Tom's hand in her boyish, energetic fashion.

"'Terribly, horribly, dreadfully!'" repeated Tom. "Did you say this was
your last year in college?"

"Don't be sarcastic," reproved Miriam. "Circumstances alter English.
Grace was only trying to convey to you our deep appreciation of your
arrival."