says the Randolphs of Virginia are a very old family. Now hurry and get
ready; the carriage will be here in a few minutes."

Marjorie said no more on the subject, but she was puzzled. It was only
natural that Aunt Julia should wish to make the acquaintance of a lady
who lived in the same house with her, but why was it necessary to have
an excuse for doing so? She was beginning to think that there were going
to be a great many new things to learn in New York.

CHAPTER X

NEW FRIENDS AND NEW FASHIONS

"November 6th.

"DEAREST AUNT JESSIE:

"I am at home alone this evening; Uncle Henry and
Aunt Julia have gone out to dinner, and Elsie is
at a party. I am going to write you a long, long
letter, and try to tell you every single thing
that has happened.

"I have been here just a week, and I think I am
beginning to get more accustomed to things. It is
all very interesting, but some of it does seem a
little queer, and, oh, how I do wish I could have
a good talk with Mother or you, and ask you to
explain the things I don't understand. Aunt Julia
is very kind, but I could never talk to her as I
do to you and Mother. The things that puzzle me
most are what it is proper to do and what isn't.
For one thing, they say it isn't proper to speak
to people unless one has been introduced. At home
we always speak to every one whether they are in
the 'Social Register' or not. The Social Register
is a book, and Elsie says the names of all the
nice people are in it, and when her mother wants
to find out who people are, and whether or not she
wants to have Elsie know them she just looks for
their names in the Social Register, and if she
finds them there she knows they are all right.
Then it isn't considered proper for girls to go
out by themselves in New York. I have seen some
nice-looking girls alone in the streets, but Elsie
says they can't be the kind one wants to know.
Hortense, the French maid, always goes out with
Elsie and me, and even carries our books to school
for us. Hortense is very nice, but it is rather a
bother having her always about, and she