Beth did not see the force of this argument.  She thought it was dreadful for society—­really good society—­to wish to advertise itself; but gradually she was learning that this was merely a part of the game.  To be talked about, to have her goings and comings heralded in the society columns and her gowns described on every possible occasion, seemed the desire of every society woman, and she who could show the biggest scrap-book of clippings was considered of highest importance..  Uncle John laughed joyously when told that the expenses of the flower booth would fall on the shoulders of his girls and there was no later recompense.

“Why not?” he cried.  “Mustn’t we pay the fiddler if we dance?”

“It’s a hold-up game,” declared Beth, angrily.  “I’ll have nothing to do with it.”

“Yes, you will, my dear,” replied her uncle; “and to avoid separating you chicks from your pin-money I’m going to stand every cent of the expense myself.  Why, it’s for charity, isn’t it?  Charity covers a multitude of sins, and I’m just a miserable sinner that needs a bath-robe to snuggle in.  How can the poor be better served than by robbing the rich?  Go ahead, girls, and rig up the swellest booth that money will build.  I’ll furnish as many flowers as you can sell, and Charity ought to get a neat little nest-egg out of the deal.”

“That’s nice of you,” said Patsy, kissing him; “but it’s an imposition, all the same.”

“It’s a blessing, my dear.  It will help a bit to ease off that dreadful income that threatens to crush me,” he rejoined, smiling at them.  And the nieces made no further protest, well knowing the kindly old gentleman would derive untold pleasure in carrying out his generous plans.

The flower booth, designed by a famous architect, proved a splendid and most imposing structure.  It was capped by a monster bouquet of artificial orchids in papier-mache, which reached twenty feet into the air.  The three cousins had their gowns especially designed for the occasion.  Beth represented a lily, Louise a Gold-of-Ophir rose, and Patricia a pansy.

The big ball room had been turned over to the society people several days in advance, that the elaborate preparations might be completed in time, and during this period groups of busy, energetic young folks gathered by day and in the evenings, decorating, flirting, rehearsing the fancy dances, and amusing themselves generally.

Arthur Weldon was there to assist Uncle John’s nieces; but his pleasure was somewhat marred by the persistent presence of Charlie Mershone, who, having called once or twice upon Louise, felt at liberty to attach himself to her party.  The ferocious looks of his rival were ignored by this designing young man and he had no hesitation in interrupting a tete-a-tete to monopolize the girl for himself.

Louise was amused, thinking it fun to worry Arthur by flirting mildly with Mr. Mershone, for whom she cared not a jot.  Both Patsy and Beth took occasion to remonstrate with her for this folly, for having known Weldon for a long time and journeyed with him through a part of Europe, they naturally espoused his cause, liking him as much as they intuitively disliked Mershone.