r--it was done almost
without a second thought. But Marion had provided against such a
scrutiny. The post-marks were quite correct, and Marion answered
quickly, "Yes, ma'am, our handwriting is very much alike. We went to
school together."

"Well, I don't know what to say to this," said Mrs. Maple, rather
crossly, as she handed back the letter. "It is very inconsiderate of
your father, I think, wanting you both at once."

"You see, they are going to have a few friends and we don't often have
company, now," said Marion, twisting the corner of her apron as she
spoke.

"Well, well, there's something in that, to be sure; but still it's very
inconvenient for me. I must send and see if my niece can come and mind
the shop for an hour or two to-morrow night. Will you want to stay out
all night, or can you get home so as to be ready for the morning?"

"Oh, we will come home at night, ma'am; father will bring us home, if
you won't mind us being late for once."

"Oh, I can put up with that; it's the shop I'm thinking of, if my niece
cannot come."

"Well, then, we cannot go?"

"You cannot both go, certainly, if she cannot come to help me. I will
send Mary with a note the first thing to-morrow morning."

Marion went back and told Kate the result of her "managing." "We shall
go, never fear," she said confidently.

"I don't seem to care about it a bit, now. I wish you had not asked
for me," said Kate.

"Now, don't be a simpleton, or you will make me cross. Don't want to
go, indeed! What next, I wonder, after all the talk there has been
about it? Really, Kate, I have no patience with you!"

"Well, I wouldn't mind if it wasn't deceiving Mrs. Maple; and then,
somehow, I seem to have such a dread of it."

"Fiddlesticks! what next, I wonder?" said Marion contemptuously.

They saw Mary go out with the note next morning, and a wild wish seemed
to seize Kate to run after her and tell her not to go. "I do hope she
can't come," she said, half aloud; but her cousin would not notice the
speech.

Mary, who knew the errand she had been sent upon, told them in a
whisper as she came through the shop that it was "all right," and very
soon Mrs. Maple came out and said they could go home for the
evening--could go to tea, if they liked.

"Thank you, ma'am, but after tea will do. From four to six is always a
busy time at both counters, and so we will not leave until that is
over."

William came in before the busy time,