d into a
box that they might take it with them, while Arethusa's jealous eyes
watched until the last knot was fast in the string which tied that box,
departed happily to a lower floor in search of slippers and stockings
to match and complete the costume.

These purchased, and deposited with the dress-box in the automobile,
Elinor directed Clay to drive to "Parnell's."

"We'll go get a soda water," she said, "after this trying morning."

"But I don't feel the least bit sick," remonstrated Arethusa, with
memories of Miss Letitia's packet of soda tucked into the corner of her
satchel.

Elinor explained.

Later, she told Arethusa she was very likely to be needing Miss
Letitia's sort, when after her second glass of a beverage of a most
seductive taste, she expressed a desire for a third drink of this new
and altogether charming "soda water."

CHAPTER XV

Arethusa had not the faintest idea what a "dinner-dance" might be. She
knew very well what a dinner was, and she could conceive of the glories
of a dance, but as a combination they eluded her. The only picture she
could form for herself of such an entertainment was a strange
conglomeration of eating and dancing; eating for awhile, and then
dancing; and so on, first one and then the other, until time to go
home. But whatever the exact nature of it, it would be her Very First
Party.

Hitherto, her expeditions into the social world had compassed nothing
more shattering to her nervous system than church entertainments and
occasional spend-the-days. Miss Eliza was no very great believer in
Parties as an influence for good in Arethusa's development.

Arethusa, had she been permitted, would have gone straight to bed and
slept soundly and dreamlessly until Friday night, asking only to be
waked when it was time that she dress before seeking the scene of
festivity. But her preparation for the Event helped to pass the two
days that she must wait.

She had once, long ago, found in the garret at the Farm, when poking
about there on a rainy day that had kept her housed, a little book with
her grandmother's name in faded writing on the fly-leaf.

Its title, almost indistinguishable outside on the worn board covers,
but plainly enough visible within, read:

"Advice to Young Ladies
of
Good Family
on
Entering Society
for the
_First Time_
By
A Former Belle"

This little volume she