father for such as they?

By Wednesday afternoon, however, Ross was undeniably better. Even
Arethusa could see that he was, in spite of the fact that he continued
to complain. But it was such complaining as only too plainly indicated
that he was loth to relinquish any of this delightful attention he was
receiving. So when George announced a caller who had asked for "Miss
Worthington," Elinor, who had just that moment come back from down-town
with those two new and widely advertised detective stories for Ross's
amusement which he had earlier in the day expressed a desire to see,
said that she would begin the reading aloud in Arethusa's place, and
that Arethusa must receive the visitor.

"And you'll like Candace Warren, I think. She's rather a dear girl. I
suppose she came to see you because I know her mother so well. It was
very kind of her." To Elinor's rose-colored view of youth, all young
girls were attractive because of what they were.

"I think it was perfectly lovely!" chanted Arethusa happily.

She would certainly see Miss Warren, come to call on a stranger in her
city, just because of her mother's friendship for Elinor! There was a
warm little glow in her heart at the thought of the kindness shown her
by so many people for the sake of Ross and Elinor; the Chestnuts, and
Mr. Watts, innumerable others at the dinner-dance, and now Miss Warren!

"I'll send George in with tea a little later on," said Elinor, "if you
would like to have it."

Then Arethusa's face clouded somewhat, "But I wanted to have supper up
here again!"

"Not supper, Arethusa, it's just afternoon tea. I thought perhaps it
might help you to get acquainted."

That was very different. It might be great fun to have afternoon tea.
She had read about it, and it had always sounded most delightful in the
reading.

"But Aunt 'Liza says I can't pour anything," she added doubtfully. "She
never lets me at home. She says my fingers are all thumbs."

George could pour it for her, if she wished.

And so with these trifling details arranged, and the tea a settled
prospect, Arethusa went in search of Miss Warren.

She ran gaily down the wide front steps, humming a little tune, and
skipped into the small reception room at the side of the hall, both
hands cordially outstretched.

"I think it was _perfectly dear_ of you to come to see me!" she
exclaimed.

Miss Warren rose politely from the spindle-legged sofa where she had
been sitting, and touched o