e put a charm upon the house."

From the embroidered work-bag that dangled at her side, she took out the
thread lace she was making, and began to count her stitches.

"I think I'll get my sewing, too," said Margaret. "I feel like a drone
in this hive of industry."

"One, two, three, chain," said Aunt Peace. "Iris, do you think the cakes
are as good as they were last time?"

"I think they're even better."

"Did you take out the oldest port?"

"Yes, the very oldest."

"I trust he was not hurt," Aunt Peace went on, "because last week I
asked him not to come. The common people sometimes feel those things
more keenly than aristocrats, who are accustomed to the disturbance of
guests."

"Of course, he would be disappointed," said Iris, with a little smile,
"but he would understand--I'm sure he would."

When Margaret came back she had a white, fluffy garment over her arm.
"Who would have thought," she cried, gaily, "that I should ever have the
time to make myself a petticoat by hand! The atmosphere of East
Lancaster has wrought a wondrous change in me."

"Iris," said Miss Field, "let me see your stitches."

The girl held up her petticoat--a dainty garment of finest cambric,
lace-trimmed and exquisitely made, and the old lady examined it
critically. "It is not what I could do at your age," she continued, "but
it will answer very well."

Lynn came in noisily, remembering only at the threshold that one did not
whistle in East Lancaster houses. "I had a fine tramp," he said, "all
over West Lancaster and through the woods on both sides of it. I had
some flowers for all of you, but I laid them down on a stone and forgot
to go back after them. Aunt Peace, you're looking fine since you had
your nap. Still working at that petticoat, mother?"

"We're all making petticoats," answered Margaret. "Even Aunt Peace is
knitting lace for one and Iris has hers almost done."

"Let me see it," said Lynn. He reached over and took it out of the
girl's lap while she was threading her needle. Much to his surprise, it
was immediately snatched away from him. Iris paused only long enough to
administer a sounding box to the offender's ear, then marched out of the
room with her head high and her work under her arm.

"Well, of all things," said Lynn, ruefully. "Why wouldn't she let me
look at her petticoat?"

"Because," answered Aunt Peace, severely, "Iris has been brought up like
a lady! Gentlemen did not expect to see ladies' petticoats