the quiet, pretty, well-behaved girl playing there in the garden seemed
almost too good to be true. She had never seen Rosanna look so well and
so happy. She was glad to see the chauffeur's child "makin' good" as she
expressed it. Minnie's young man had also returned from overseas and she
was sewing every spare moment on things for her own little house and for
herself. If Rosanna had a chance to play all day every day for a whole
week, or as long as Mrs. Horton stayed away--and Minnie piously wished
her a long trip--why, she could be ready for the young man and the
little house just that much sooner.

As soon as this most splendid thought found its way into Minnie's mind
she commenced to make plans to help the children, and as the first one
occurred to her she put her work in her pocket and hurried across to the
playhouse, where she fairly gasped at the sight of Rosanna awkwardly but
cheerfully sweeping leaves and stems off the porch while Helen shook the
rugs.

"Time for you to dress for the evening. Miss Rosanna," she said. "And
wouldn't you like to invite Miss Helen over to supper, and have it
served here on your own porch?"

"Oh, wouldn't that be fun?" cried Rosanna "Wouldn't you like that,
Helen?"

"Indeed I would!" said Helen. She jumped off the porch and looked to see
if the rug was straight. "I will go right home and ask my mother and if
I don't come straight back and tell you, you will know that I can come
to supper." She ran off, returning just at supper time.

Minnie served the meal and it was all as delicious as a party. Even the
cook was glad to see Rosanna really happy. And after the last bit of the
dessert, a pink ice-cream, had been slowly eaten, the two little girls
sat talking in quite a grown-up manner.

Presently Helen's bright eyes spied a lady at the other end of the
garden.

"Someone is coming!" she exclaimed.

"That is a friend of grandmother's. She is coming over every day to see
how I am getting along."

"Good-evening, Rosanna," said the lady. "I think this looks as though
you were having a very nice time indeed."

"We are, Mrs. Hargrave," said Rosanna. "This is my friend, Helen
Culver."

Helen curtseyed.

"How do you do, Helen," said Mrs. Hargrave. "The Culvers of Lee County,
I suppose. A fine old family, my dears. As good as yours, Rosanna. Well,
well, I am glad you are both having a nice time! If you want anything of
me, Rosanna, telephone me and I will be over every day. Y