erything on a dish, there being
only three of these unknown objects on that platter, so she refused
with unforced politeness when they came her way.

"Oh, come now," remonstrated Ross, "surely you want an artichoke!"

"Artichoke!" The name made Arethusa giggle.

"Try one," suggested Elinor, "for this is one of the things I happened
to remember we had at our first dinner together."

Whereupon she changed her mind, servants or no servants in the kitchen,
for Arethusa was Celebrating.

There was no spoon on the platter. There was nothing in the shape of
implements to assist this thing over to her plate save a large, wide
fork and a pancake turner. At least, it resembled a pancake turner. It
was strange to see such use for one, and to help herself to food such
as this and in this manner. It proved a bit awkward in the attempt. The
artichoke, too, made it more awkward. It behaved like something alive,
and hesitated for a second on the tip of the pancake turner, balanced
uncertainly; then plunged to ignominy and darkness, under the table.
And Arethusa had made the noblest of efforts to manage it!

She looked up quickly in Elinor's direction, braced for the reprimand.
Such an occasion would have proved the finest of grist for Miss Eliza's
mill; but Elinor merely smiled kindly at the embarrassed guest, and
requested George to fetch Miss Arethusa another artichoke.

This one was retrieved in triumph.

But once on her plate, Arethusa eyed it distrustfully. How did she eat
it, now that she had it? Did she cut it up before hand, or what? Which
one of her many knives and forks did she use for it? Then her quick
glance noted how Elinor peeled off a leaf, so she did the same.

"Like it?" from Ross, after her first mouthful.

Arethusa looked doubtfully at the artichoke. Recollections of Miss
Eliza as to the criticism of food put before one, made her temporize.

"I know other things I've eaten that I like much better." She was
perfectly courteous in manner, but her tone decidedly lacked in
enthusiasm. Then she added, hastily, fearing that she might have
offended by even this statement, "I may get used to it, if I eat enough
of them. Aunt 'Liza says you can acquire tastes." She smiled at Ross
apologetically. "I never saw one before, you know."

"You'll do, Arethusa," laughed Ross.

And Elinor smilingly told her that its eating was not at all
compulsory, but Arethusa was game. When she celebrated, she celebrated
with no hal