"Look," he urged, "I've got something for you."

I looked at it and at once my heart began to beat faster with excitement. I quickly tore it open and pulled out a printed card bearing these words:

" The Minister of Education and Mme. Georges Ramponneau beg M. and Mme. Loisel to do them the honor of attending and evening reception at the Ministerial Mansion on Friday, January 18."

Suddenly my heart sank into my stomach with disappointment. I then tossed the invitation on the table, murmuring, "What good is that to me""

"But, my dear, I thought you'd be thrilled to death. You never get a chance to go out, and this is a real affair, a wonderful one! I had an awful time getting a card. Everybody wants one; it's much sought after, and...