n't say so; hurrah!" cried Kat, in a sudden gale of delight, her
eyes beginning to sparkle behind their still wet lashes.

"What oceans of bliss! Who did you see?"

"Clara and Lou; they were just coming out here to invite us, when I met
them. It will be splendid; they are going ten miles out, and they supply
carriages for all, and there will be boating and dancing, and games, and
just everything delightful."

Kat spun around on her heel enthusiastically, and threw a handful of
small apples into the air. "Of course there will," she cried. "Raymonds'
never do anything except in the most stylish way. That's the fun of
being rich."

"I've just been down to call on Miss Barnett," said Bea, stooping to
pick some imaginary burr from her dress. "They are invited, too."

"Ah, indeed," said Kat, with a mischievous chuckle, "I suppose of
course, you are glad, for you want Miss Barnett to have a good time,
don't you?"

"Of course," answered Bea, with much composure, and a little color. "She
is a very pleasant young lady, and I would like to invite them here one
evening before she goes home."

"Nothing to prevent that I can see," said Kat, "unless the doctor should
object; but then, I don't think he will."

"I shall ask mama," continued Bea, without noticing the little sly
remark. "I need not have many, about fifteen is enough; and we might
have cake, you know."

"Yes, cake and water; cheap and original; she won't expect much, for I
suppose the doctor has told her that we are poor as Job's turkey."

"I suppose he has not," corrected Bea, with some mild resentment. "He
would have no occasion to mention us in connection with such a subject.
Besides, we're not as poor as that."

"Just go by it then," laughed Kat. "But you shall have a party, dear, if
I have to paint the hole in the carpet and do all the work. We'll have a
party or die."

Very much the same conclusion, only a little more mildly put, Mrs.
Dering came to, when Bea made her modest request, with a pretty color in
her face.

"I know the parlor furniture is shabby, but it won't show so much at
night," Bea explained. "And we might just have cake and coffee, you
know, mama."

"Yes, dear, quite a nice little idea; and I think we can do it without
any trouble," answered Mrs. Dering, with that degree of motherly
interest that is always so encouraging, "How many would you like to
have, and on what evening?"

"How good you are!" cried Bea, with a grateful hug, be