ver of a clam to decorate his
home so! But I did not know that they could also write."

While he was absorbed in these reflections he heard his mother's voice
calling, "Rol-lo, Rol-lo."

At first, Rollo had a great mind not to go for he disliked being
disturbed while he was busy with his shells. However, he finally
decided it would be best to obey, so, gathering up his stones and
placing the clam-shell in his pocket, he ran toward the house. In the
entry he found his father, his mother, and Jonas awaiting him. It was
evident from their expression that something of importance had
happened.

"What do you think, Rollo?" his mother inquired. "We are going to move
to the city."

"HURRAH! HURRAH!" cried Rollo, and then once more, "HURRAH for
Atlantic City."

"Atlantic City?" said his father. "What ever put that idea into your
head? We are not going to Atlantic City; we are going to New York."

"Oh, bother," said Rollo, crossly, adding, "but if there are
light-houses and ships there I shall not mind."

Now this was very wrong of Rollo, for he should have known that it
spoilt the pleasure which his parents had hoped to find in surprising
him. Children often behave so by acting natural when they should know
better. Rollo's father was considerably vexed, but, realizing that
Rollo was still young, he said kindly, "You have many things to learn,
my son, but fortunately you still have time in which to learn them,
and New York will do very well to begin with. Atlantic City may come
later. But come, we must be off to the photographer's studio. Hurry,
Rollo, and put on your Sunday suit. Uncle George and James and Lucy
will be waiting for us."

[Illustration: "He was playing with some bright shells"]

While Rollo, a very excited little boy you may be sure, was putting on
his blue round-about and his white collar, his mother explained to him
that, since they were going to the City to live for a while, they
would be expected at certain times to go out in Society.

"What is Society, Mother?" asked Rollo. Rollo's mother was silent for
a while before she replied. "That is a difficult question to answer,
Rollo, but I will try to explain. You know that here at home you see a
few people very often whom you know very well. You play every day with
your cousin Lucy and your cousin James, and Jonas instructs you in
piling wood and digging potatoes. But that is not Society. In a great
city like New York you will occasionally see a great