ll, I shall wear my red gauze over
satin, and I fancy Peggy will not choose a very simple frock for the
occasion."

"Just my blue silk, dear," Peggy remarked lazily, "and since you've all
seen it you will not have to enthuse over it."

"What do you suppose Randy will wear?" asked Peggy.

"Something becoming, without a doubt," said Nina Irwin, "since everything
becomes her."

At this point Randy entered, and the subject of conversation changed from
dress to the lessons for the day.

"You always come with lessons prepared, Randy Weston," said Polly, "and
you look decidedly cheerful, too."

"Why shouldn't I look cheerful, if I am ready for the recitations?" asked
Randy, in surprise.

"Because," Polly answered, "it makes me cross to have to study, and you
must work persistently to keep up such a record as you have this year."

"Miss Dayton helps me," Randy answered.

"But she cannot _learn_ for you," said Nina Irwin, "and you seem to get on
as well in those studies which are new to you, as in those which you had
commenced in the district school."

"But I like all my studies," said Randy, "and anyone would be interested
in new ones. There is another reason why I am working so diligently.

"Father and mother sent me here, believing that I would study faithfully.
I should not be true to them if I wasted my opportunity. And little Prue
is trying to be patient, although her funny little letters show how she
misses me. I'll show you the last one which she sent me, only don't laugh
at her original spelling, Nina. Remember, she is a little girl. Here it
is:"

"DEAR RANDY:--

"How long wil it bee fore you cum hom I luv you an I wanto see
you Me n Jonny slided on my sled an we ran intu a fense an got
hurted I lern my lesons, but I cant spel big words yet When I say
I want my Randy ma dont cry but her ize is wet and ant Prudence
wipes her glassis Hi put sum gum in Jonys cap an it got stuk to
his hare. When you cum hom I wil be so glad for I luv you

"Yor litle
PRUE."

"The cunning little thing," said Nina, "her funny letter shows just how
they miss you at home, and how dearly she loves you, Randy."

"That is what I meant when I said one day to you, Nina that it was hard,
and at the same time delightful to be here. I love father, mother and dear
little Prue more than it is possible to say; I love the dear home, too. Of
course it is not like the homes which I have seen here, but n