k! she has diamond earrings. Have you any diamonds?"

Frances shook her head, feeling very insignificant beside a girl with a
French name and diamond earrings.

"I have a diamond ring, but mamma won't let me wear it all the time for
fear I'll lose it," said Gladys. "Haven't you any rings?" and she
glanced at the plump little hands of her guest.

"I have one, but it is too small for me now. I don't care very much for
rings," was the reply.

"Don't you? I do. Mamma has ever so many. If you won't tell I'll tell
you something," Gladys went on; "Uncle Jo is going to give me a party at
Christmas, and if you are here I'll invite you. It is to be just like a
grown-up party."

"Do you go to school?" Frances asked.

"Everyday school? Yes; but I don't like it. I haven't started yet."

"I think I'll have to go now," said Frances, rising; "I hope you will
come to see me, Gladys. I have only one doll with me, but I have some
games and books."

"I don't care for books, but I'll come; and if Mathilde is here maybe
I'll bring her."

Frances went downstairs with a sober face. She had intended to tell
Gladys the story of The Golden Doorway, and about the Spectacle Man, but
she had not had a chance, and now she felt that these things would
probably seem tame and uninteresting to a young person of such varied
experience.

"Has my little girl had a good time?" Mrs. Morrison asked.

"Y-es, mother, Gladys has some of the prettiest dolls you ever saw, but
they are too dressed up to have much fun with, and she didn't seem to
want to play."

"Perhaps she doesn't know how to have a really good time, Wink; some
persons don't."

"I know one thing; she hasn't a darling mother like you!" and Frances
emphasized her words with an ardent hug.

"Very few have, Wink," remarked her father, coming in with his hands
full of papers.

"Thank you both for your kind appreciation," said Mrs. Morrison,
laughing. "What do you expect to find in those papers, Jack?"

"I am going to look up advertisements."

"What for, daddy?" Frances asked, dancing about on tiptoe.

"A place for you and mother while I run off and leave you. Listen to
this: 'Wanted: Occupants for a small, partially furnished flat. All
conveniences, terms reasonable. Apply at 432 Walnut Street.'"

"The Spectacle Man's! the Spectacle Man's!" cried Frances, clapping her
hands. "Let's go there, it's lovely!"

"How do you know?" asked her father and mother in the same breath, and