not five but nine more figures.

"Oh, girls, such luck! Just as I came out of my room I ran right into Maud
Hanscomb's arms, and she _wouldn't_ let me go till I'd told her what was
up and promised to let her and the other girls share our fun. She said
they suspected something was up, and they were bound to share it. And such
a spread! Land knows how they got it! Just look."

The tubs were now groaning under their burden of king apples, cookies,
which bore a striking resemblance to those served at dinner; crackers,
which had surely rested in the housekeeper's pantry, and, joy of joys, a
huge tub of ice cream, to say nothing of what the original five brought.

"Now, girls, come on! Let's eat our cream and make sure of it in case of
accidents," said the stout red ghost, in red cap and mask, who presided
over the tub. "No time to get plates, so hand over anything you've got,
and excuse the elegance of my spoon. It's cook's soup spoon, and may give
the cream an oniony flavor, but that will add to the novelty," she said as
she served it.

"Who is she, anyhow?" asked one girl, who sat eating cream from a soap
dish.

"Haven't the least idea. One of the old girls, I dare say, but who cares
when she can conjure up such delicacies?"

As midnight struck appetites and feast came to an end.

"I vote," whispered one girl, "that we all take off our masks and have a
good look at each other, so we'll know who's who when we meet in public."

"It's a go," whispered several others, and off they all came.

"Let's have more light," said the donor of the cream, and reached up and
touched the electric button.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Don't! Miss Preston will catch us!" cried dismayed voices,
but Miss Preston herself stood before them, a red mask in one hand and a
great spoon in the other.

"This isn't the first spread I've attended," she said, "and I hope it
won't be the last. I've had too good a time. I had an idea the old laundry
would prove an inviting place to-night, but I never attend a feast without
my tub and candle--or electric light in this twentieth century--for, like
another mortal who had a fancy for tubs and a candle, I am in search of
honest folk.

"Your spread was a great success, girls. Only next time let me know
beforehand. I may not be able to be present in person, but I can still
furnish the tub and light, and it will be a comfort to me to know the menu
in order to guard against future ills. Good-night. I'm ready for my bed