ten, those words so true and clear,
What heart that would not soften, thy wisdom to revere."

CHAPTER II.

A CELEBRATION AT BARETTI'S.

The Lookouts' plan to entertain their friends at either Baretti's or the
Colonial on their first evening at Hamilton was over-ruled by Leila and
Vera. As Hortense Barlow, Robina Page and Portia Graham were still
missing from their circle of friends, they agreed to postpone their own
celebration until the missing ones should have returned to Hamilton.
Thus Vera and Leila gained their point and were in high glee over it.
Privately they were glad to have the Lookouts to themselves for the
evening, with the addition only of Katherine and Helen.

The warm September day had vanished into a soft, balmy night, garnished
by a full, silvery moon. The road to Baretti's was light as day and the
nine girls, clad in delicate-hued summer frocks, added to the pale
beauty of the night. They were in high spirits, as the incessant murmur
of their voices, punctuated by frequent ripples of light laughter, amply
testified.

Entering the quaint, stately restaurant, the Lookouts stopped to pay
courteous respects to Guiseppe Baretti, the proud proprietor, a small,
somber-eyed Italian. Their frequent patronage of Baretti's during their
freshman year had made them very welcome guests. Signor Baretti's solemn
face became wreathed with smiles as he greeted them.

"It is certainly good to be here again!" exclaimed Jerry. By
appropriating two extra chairs from a nearby vacant table, the nine
diners had managed to seat themselves without crowding at one table.

"Isn't it, though?" Vera Mason glanced happily around the circle. "I
miss Baretti's dreadfully during vacations. There is really no other
restaurant quite like it."

"We missed it too, this summer. Our main standby in Sanford was
Sargeant's. You and Leila made its acquaintance when you were in Sanford
last Easter. We used to go there so often after school. I wonder we ever
had an appetite for dinner when we went home. Of course it can't be
compared with Baretti's, as it is merely a confectioner's shop. We had
happy times there, though," Marjorie concluded.

"It was a regular conspirator's shop," Jerry supplemented. "Whenever we
had anything special to talk over, the watchword was, 'On to
Sargeant's.'"

"We settled a great many weighty affairs of state at Sargeant's."
Muriel smiled reminiscently. "I suppose Baretti's will grow dearer to u