“Wouldn’t it be more fun to have the girls in for a little while?” This from Prudence.

“Oh, it might,—­but it wouldn’t be the proper thing at all.  College men do not care to be entertained by babies.”

“No,” snapped Lark, “the wisdom of babies is too deep for these—­these—­these men in embryo.”

This was so exquisitely said that Lark was quite restored to amiability by it.  “In embryo,” had been added to her vocabulary that very day in the biology class.  It was only the sheerest good fortune which gave her the opportunity of utilizing it so soon.  And Carol said “Ouch!” with such whole-souled admiration that Lark’s spirit soared among the clouds.  She had scored!

“And what shall we serve them?” urged Prudence.  “I suppose it would hardly do to—­pop corn, would it?”

“No, indeed.  Popping corn is very nice for the twins and the little boys in the neighborhood.”  Fairy smiled with relish as she saw the twins wince at this thrust.  “But Babbie and I—­ Oh, never!  It wouldn’t do at all.  Now, oyster stew and crackers,—­I mean wafers,——­”

“Oysters are fearfully expensive, Fairy,” objected the frugal Prudence.

“Oh, we can stand it for once,” said Fairy easily.  “This is the first time, and we must do something extra.  Babbie is all the rage at school, and the girls are frantic with jealousy because I have cut everybody else out.  To be honest about it, I can’t understand it myself.  Babbie’s such a giddy scatter-brained youngster, you’d think he’d prefer——­”

“Do you like him, Fairy?  Don’t you think he’s tiresome?  He talks so much, it seems to me.”

“To be sure I like him.  He’s great fun.  He’s always joking and never has a sensible thought, and hates study.  He’s an amusing soul, I must say.  He’s going to attend here a couple of years, and then study pharmacy.  His father is a druggist in Ottumwa, and quite well off.  The only reason Babbie came here instead of going to a big college in the East is because his father is a trustee.  Trustees are in honor bound to send their offspring to the college they trustee,—­just as ministers are obliged to trade with the members when possible.”

“Even if they short-weight and long-charge you,” put in Carol.

“Carol!” exclaimed Prudence reprovingly.  “Well, we’ll serve oyster stew then.  Will you eat in the dining-room?”

“No, we’ll eat on the little table in the front room,—­informally, you know.  You must get it ready, and arrange it nicely on the big tray.  Then you must come to the door and say, ’Wouldn’t you like a little oyster stew?’ Say it carelessly, as if we always have something to eat before going to bed.  And I’ll say, ’Oh, yes, Prudence, bring it right in.’  Then you bring it in, and we’ll all eat together.—­That’s the way to do it!  Babbie’s had dates with the very swellest girls in school, and he knows about such things.  We must do it up brown!”