fled then suddenly growing
wise, jumped at him and shook him by the shoulders just as she used to
do in the old days as she cried:

"It's _you_! And you never told me! You good-for-nothing boy."

"Hi! Watch out! The Captain's clearing for action," cried Jean Paul.
"Told you you'd catch it when she found out."

"Well, Tanta might have told me, anyhow," protested Polly.

"Ralph wouldn't let me. Kept me honor bound not to. But if you are all
ready for your luncheon, come down at once. There are--how many of us?
Twenty-four? Merciful powers!"

"No, Tanta, only twenty-three. Poor Gail's minus an escort," cried
Polly, a shade of regret in her eyes, for Gail meant a great deal to
this little sister.

"Why, so she is. Now that's too bad of me," but something in her aunt's
voice made Polly look at her keenly. A moment later she understood.

As the merry, laughing, chattering group reached the last landing of the
stairs leading down to the Assembly Hall, a tall, broad-shouldered man
who stood at the foot looked eagerly upward. Polly gave one wild screech
and nearly fell down the remaining steps, to fling herself into the
arms outstretched to save her, as a deep voice said:

"One bell, Captain Polly! You'll carry away your landing stage if you
come head on at full speed."

"Oh, Shortie! Shortie! Where did you come from?" cried Polly, nearly
pumping his arm from its socket, while all the others crowded around to
welcome the big fellow whom all had loved or esteemed during his
undergraduate days.

"Ask the Little Mother. She's responsible, and Gail needs looking after
among all this bunch, I know. Come along, young lady. I've got to see
you fed and cared for."

And Gail seemed perfectly willing to "come along."

With such an addition to her family, Mrs. Harold had made arrangements
to have two large round tables reserved for her in the smaller of the
two dining-rooms, the older people at one, with Gail, Stella, Juno,
Shortie, Allyn and Guy to make the circle, the younger people with Peggy
and Polly as hostesses at the adjoining table. In addition to her own
regular waiter, the second head waiter and two assistants had been
detailed to serve, but with the Christmas rush and the number of people
at Wilmot for the holidays there was more or less delay between
courses.

"Where is John?" she demanded, as they were waiting for the salad.

"Over yonder. Shall I hail him?" asked Durand, from the next table,
promptly puttin