“Yes, ma’am,” replied Parker, and he took his place on the box.

The others looked at Marjorie a little doubtfully, but greatly pleased at the suggestion.  And after all it certainly was not mischievous to get soda water, a treat which they were often allowed at home.

They left the park, and drove down Fifth Avenue, and after a while the carriage stopped in front of a large drug shop.

Parker assisted them from the carriage, and ushered them into the shop, which had a well-appointed soda fountain.  Then Parker proceeded to select four seats for his charges, and after he had lifted Rosamond up on to her stool, and the rest were seated, he said to Marjorie, “Will you give the order, Miss Maynard?”

Feeling very grownup, Marjorie asked the others what flavors they would like, and then she gave the order to the clerk.  The footman stood behind them, grave and impassive, and as there was a large mirror directly in front of them, Marjorie could see him all the time.  It struck her very funny to see the four Maynards eating their ice cream soda, without laughing or chatting, and with a statuesque footman in charge of them!  However, the Maynards’ enjoyment of their favorite dainty was not seriously marred by the conditions, and when at last they laid down their spoons, Marjorie suddenly realized that she had no money with her to pay for their treat.

“Have you any money, King?” she asked.

“Not a cent; I never dreamed of having any occasion to use it, and I didn’t bring any with me.”

“What shall we do?” said Kitty, who foresaw an embarrassing situation.

“If you have finished, I will pay the check,” said Parker, “and then, are you ready to go home, Miss Maynard?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Marjorie, delighted to be relieved from her anxiety about the money.

So Parker paid the cashier, and then marshalled his charges out of the shop, and in a moment they were once again on their way home.

“Pretty good soda water,” said Marjorie.

“Yes; but you might as well drink it in church,” said King, who was beginning to tire of the atmosphere of restraint.

“I wish they did serve soda water in church,” said Kitty; “it would be very refreshing.”

And then they were back again at Grandpa Maynard’s, and were admitted with more footmen and formality.

But Marjorie, with her adaptable nature, was beginning to get used to conventional observances, and, followed by the other three, she entered the drawing-room, and went straight to her Grandmother.  “We had a very pleasant drive, thank you,” she said, and her pretty, graceful manner brought a smile of approbation to her grandmother’s face.

“I’m glad you did, my dear.  Where did you go?”

“We drove in the park, and along the avenue,” said King, uncertain whether to mention the soda water episode or not.

But Marjorie’s frankness impelled her to tell the story, “We stopped at a drug shop, Grandma, on our way home, and had soda water,” she said; “I hope you don’t mind.”