doesn't go near the ones who are ill,"
pleaded Patty.

"She might develop the disease at any time, though," said Mrs. Pearson.
"It's wiser to run no risks. I shall write to your father to-day, and
mention the matter."

To lose Milly's daily postcards was a sad blow.

"I'm sure it's not necessary," thought Patty. "Father is so careful; he
wouldn't let there be the slightest danger. Still, I suppose Aunt Lucy
is nervous, and of course when I'm staying here I can't have letters if
she's afraid of them. I do hope she'll let me go and have tea with Jean.
I shall be dreadfully disappointed if she says 'No'."

Jean's invitation was the event to which Patty looked forward most
during the holidays, but it was a little doubtful whether she would be
allowed to accept it, as, though they did not live far away, the
Bannermans were not personal friends of Mr. and Mrs. Pearson. A letter
arrived one morning from Jean, addressed to Muriel, asking both the
girls to tea on the following Thursday, and, to Patty's dismay, her
cousin at once declared that she did not intend to go.

"Jean Bannerman's all very well at school, but I really don't want to
know her during the holidays," said Muriel. "I see quite as much of her
at The Priory as I want. Do you think we need accept, Mother?"

"Well, darling, I must think about it," said Mrs. Pearson. "I have never
been introduced to Mrs. Bannerman, and I don't usually let you go to
houses where I don't visit myself. Still, on the other hand, I shouldn't
like you to disappoint your schoolfellow or hurt her feelings."

"She won't be disappointed; she doesn't care about me in the least,"
said Muriel.

"Then why does she ask you?"

"I'm sure I don't know," replied Muriel, who never paused to consider
that the invitation was also for Patty, and to consult her wishes on the
subject of accepting it.

"I hardly know what excuse we can give," said Mrs. Pearson doubtfully.

"We must give some," persisted Muriel, "because the Holdens said they
were going to ask me for Thursday, and I particularly want to go there.
I expect I shall hear from Trissie this evening. Can't we wait till
to-morrow to answer Jean's letter?"

Muriel's expected invitation arrived the following morning, and
furnished her with the excuse she needed for refusing the one from Jean.

"I shall write to her and say we can't either of us accept," she said
decisively.

"Because you are both engaged for that afternoon," added Mrs