“Hope she is!” Mrs. Potts said heavily.  “For if that young feller means business I miss my guess!”

“Oh, for pity’s sake—­can’t a man ask a girl to go walking without all this fuss!” Martie burst out angrily.  “I never heard so much—­ crazy—­silly—­talk—­about—­nothing!”

The last words were only an ashamed mumble as she disappeared kitchenward.

“H’m!” said Mrs. Potts, eying Lydia over her glasses.  “Kinder touchy about him just the same.  Well! what’s he to that young feller used to come see you, Lydia?  Ain’t the Frosts and the Parkers kin?”

“I really think she’s the most detestable old woman that ever was!” Martie said, when the three girls were going to bed that night.  Lydia, loitering in her sister’s room for a few minutes, made no denial.

“Well, by this time to-morrow night the party will be nearly over!” yawned Sally.

Martie looked at the clock.  A quarter past eleven.  What would be happening at quarter past eleven to-morrow night?

The girls awakened early, and were early astir.  A rush of preparation filled the morning, so soothing in its effect upon nerves and muscles that Martie became wild with hope.  The parlours looked prettier than the girls had ever seen them; the pungent sweetness of chrysanthemums and evergreen stealing into the clean, well-aired spaces, and bowls of delicious violets sending out currents of pure perfume.  Martie swept, straightened, washed gas globes, shook rugs.  She gathered the flowers herself, straightening the shoulders that were beginning to ache as she arranged them with wet, cool fingers.  Sally was counting napkins, washing china and glass.  Belle dragged through the breakfast dishes.  Lydia was capably mixing the filling for sandwiches.  Outside, the morning was still; fog dripped from the trees.  Sometimes the sudden sputtering chuckle of disputing chickens broke the quiet; a fish cart rattled by unseen, the blare of the horn sending Mrs. Monroe with a large empty platter to the gate.

At two o’clock Lydia and Martie walked down town for the last shopping.  Martie was aware, under the drumming excitement in her blood, that she was already tired.  But to buy bottled cherries for the lemonade, olives for the sandwiches, and flat pink and white mint candies was exhilarating, and Reddy Johnson’s cheery “See you to-night, Martie!” made her blue eyes dance with pleasure.  After all, a dance was no such terrible matter!

They were in Mason and White’s, seated at a counter, in consultation over a purchase of hairpins, when two gloved hands were suddenly pressed over Martie’s eyes, and a joyous voice said “Hello!” The next instant Rose’s eyes were laughing into hers.

“Rose Ransome!” Martie and Lydia said together.  The two younger girls began to chatter eagerly.

Why, when had she gotten home?  Only this morning.  And oh, it did seem so good to be home!  And how was everybody?  And how was college?  Oh, fine!  And was she still at the same house?  Oh, yes!  And so poor old Mrs. Preble was dead?  Uncle Ben had felt so badly—­