bit. Land alive,
Elizabeth, you ought to be so thankful that you've got children with any
get up and get to them in this day and age. The Judge and I were saying
just the other night it seems as if most of the young folks up around
here haven't got any pluck or initiative at all. They're born to feel that
they're heirs of grace, and most of them are sure of having a farm or
wood-lot in their own right, sooner or later."

So the steamer trunk stood open most of the time, and Kit prepared for her
pilgrimage to Delphi. Mr. Robbins was inclined to take it as rather a good
joke on the Dean, but the mother bird could not get over a certain little
feeling of conscience in the matter, perhaps because she could remember
her own visit with her uncle and aunt, and still retained a certain
feeling of veneration for the two old people. But the rest of the family
pinned its faith on Kit's persuasive adaptability.

Helen and Doris, especially, felt that, if anything, the Robbins family
was conferring a high favor on the "Oracle of Delphi." Kit had always been
the starter and organizer ever since they could remember, and Helen
especially dreaded going back to school without her.

"Piney and Sally will go over with you," Kit told her, cheerfully, "and
just think of the wonderful letters you'll have from me, Helenita. Miss
Cogswell says that I always shine best when I wield the pen of a ready
writer, and I'll tell you all the news of Hope College. By the way, mother
told me last night that she's pretty sure in those little family colleges
they run a 'prep' department, which takes in the last two years of high
school. Perhaps I could persuade them that the great-grandniece of Cassius
Cato would be a deserving object of their consideration. Don't forget to
pack my skates, Helen. I loaned them to you last, and they're hanging in
your closet."

Cousin Roxy decided to have a farewell party, two nights before Kit left,
and the girls were delighted. Any party launched by Cousin Roxy promised
novelty and excitement.

A big dancing platform was built on the lawn under the great elms, and
rows of Japanese lanterns hung like glowworms all among the branches.

Cady Graves was there with his violin, and called out for the dancing, but
Jean took the piano between times in the house, and the girls and boys
gathered around her, Billie leading in the old college songs they all knew
best.

It really seemed as though there were a special moon hung u