step that counts--and to think up something very
delightful, Tom."

"It mustn't be a picnic, I suppose? Hilary won't be up to picnics yet
awhile."

"N-no, and we want to begin soon. She'll be back Friday, I think,"
Pauline answered.

By Wednesday night the spare room was ready for the expected guest.
"It's as if someone had waved a fairy wand over it, isn't it?" Patience
said delightedly. "Hilary'll be so surprised."

"I think she will and--pleased." Pauline gave one of the cushions in
the cozy corner a straightening touch, and drew the window
shades--Miranda had taken them down and turned them--a little lower.

"It's a regular company room, isn't it?" Patience said joyously.

The minister drove over to The Maples himself on Friday afternoon to
bring Hilary home.

"Remember," Patience pointed a warning forefinger at him, just as he
was starting, "not a single solitary hint!"

"Not a single solitary one," he promised.

As he turned out of the gate. Patience drew a long breath. "Well,
he's off at last! But, oh, dear, however can we wait 'til he gets
back?"

CHAPTER V

BEDELIA

It was five o'clock that afternoon when Patience, perched, a little
white-clad sentry, on the gate-post, announced joyously--"They're
coming! They're coming!"

Patience was as excited as if the expected "guest" were one in fact, as
well as name. It was fun to be playing a game of make-believe, in
which the elders took part.

As the gig drew up before the steps, Hilary looked eagerly out. "Will
you tell me," she demanded, "why father insisted on coming 'round the
lower road, by the depot--he didn't stop, and he didn't get any parcel?
And when I asked him, he just laughed and looked mysterious."

"He went," Pauline answered, "because we asked him to--company usually
comes by train--real out-of-town company, you know."

"Like visiting ministers and returned missionaries," Patience explained.

Hilary looked thoroughly bewildered. "But are you expecting company?
You must be," she glanced from one to another, "you're all dressed up,"

"We were expecting some, dear," her mother told her, "but she has
arrived."

"Don't you see? You're it!" Patience danced excitedly about her sister.

"I'm the company!" Hilary said wonderingly. Then her eyes lighted up.
"I understand! How perfectly dear of you all."

Mrs. Shaw patted the hand Hilary slipped into hers. "You have come
back a good deal better than you went, my d