It was in reality Grace’s party.  The judge had written her, asking her to select as many guests as she chose.  She had also received a prettily worded note from his sister, who had chaperoned them the previous summer in the Adirondacks, and who had taken charge of the judge’s home in the capital for years.

Grace had at once invited the Phi Sigma Tau, and dispatched special delivery letters to Hippy, David and Reddy, not forgetting Tom Gray and Arnold Evans.

In order to make an even number of boys and girls, Grace had invited James Gardiner, an Oakdale boy, and last of all, very reluctantly, had sent a note to Mr. Henry Hammond.

This she had done solely to appease Marian Barber’s wounded pride.  For a week after the day that Marian had rushed angrily out of Grace’s house, she had refused to go near her sorority.  But one afternoon the six girls, headed by Grace, waylaid her as she was leaving the school and after much coaxing Marian allowed herself to be brought to a more reasonable frame of mind.

Then Grace, who honestly regretted having hurt Marian’s feelings, had made an extra effort to treat Mr. Hammond cordially when they chanced to meet, and her friends had followed her example.

In spite of their feeling of dislike for him, they were forced to acknowledge that he seemed well-bred, was a young man of apparently good habits and that Oakdale people were rapidly taking him up.  Grace privately thought Marian entirely too young to receive the attentions of a man so much older than herself, but Marian’s father and mother permitted it, therefore Grace felt that she had no right to judge or object.

The longest journey seems brief when beguiled by gay companions, and the time slipped by like magic.  It was with genuine surprise that the little party heard their station called.  There was a great scurrying about for their various belongings, and well laden with suit cases and traveling bags the party hustled out of the train and were met on the platform by the judge’s chauffeur, who conducted them to two waiting automobiles.

Off they whirled and in an incredibly short time the two machines drew up before the judge’s stately home, where lights gleamed from every window.  The guests alighted with much laughter and noise, and in a twinkling the massive front door opened and Judge Putnam appeared.

“Welcome, welcome!” he cried.  “Now I am sure to have a Merry Christmas.  I don’t see how your fathers and mothers could spare you, and I owe them a debt of gratitude.  Come in, come in.  Here, Mary, are your children again.”

The judge’s sister came forward and greeted the young people warmly, kissing each girl in turn and shaking hands with the boys.  Mr. Hammond and James Gardiner were duly presented to the judge and his sister, and then the boys were shown to their rooms by one of the servants, while Miss Putnam herself conducted the girls to theirs.