.

In the morning Minnie had informed her father of the expected presence
of some of the young ladies' parents and friends, and Mr. Kimberly
suggested the propriety of inviting these to dinner in his own house, at
a later hour. This proposal, however, was met by Minnie with decided
disapproval, who requested instead that they should be invited to sit
down with the company.

"I don't wish the people to think they are a show," she declared, "and
that all this is merely for the amusement of us and our friends--they
must either dine with my people or stay out of the hall till dinner is
over."

Every one accepted the invitation--in fact, Mrs. Cameron declared that
for her part, she had come for that purpose and no other, and moreover,
she believed they had all come with a similar intention.

"Now, my good friends," said Mrs. Cameron, as they prepared to enter the
banqueting-hall, "don't sit all together at one end of the table, and
look exclusive. Mix yourselves up among the company and make yourselves
sociable, and don't, whatever you do, seem to be trying to set them a
good example, in the way of eating, or you'll spoil their pleasure and
their appetites too." After which advice, delivered with much energy,
she accepted Mr. Kimberly's arm and proceeded into the hall, followed by
the other guests.

It was a day, never to be forgotten in the annals of Hollowmell, and for
years its inhabitants talked about it, and dated events from it.

The dinner was a great success, and although there was no liquor of an
intoxicating kind in the bill of fare, there were many healths proposed,
and toasts drunk in the harmless beverages which were upon the table in
abundance.

Minnie's and Mabel's healths were drunk with much enthusiasm, as the
original inaugurators of the good work, and then the health of all the
young ladies together, which was responded to on their behalf by Mr.
Kimberly who expressed the great delight he experienced in reviewing the
fruit of such a successful venture, and congratulated his workmen on
having for their champions such a bevy of fair reformers, which remark
was wildly applauded by the whole assemblage.

Mr. Kimberly and Mrs. Cameron having likewise received a similar
tribute, the company rose, and proceeded to entertain themselves with
general conversation while the remains of the feast were cleared away,
and the hall reduced to an orderly condition.

Then came the distribution of prizes which occu