ed Miss Sterling.

"I don't know. Doodles told me when he was down the last time.
You know he wrote out her application, and I suppose he had to give
the date. He said wouldn't it be nice if we could celebrate it."

"But how? Celebrations and June Holiday Home are not on speaking
terms."

"Well, Doodles proposed that we all come up to his house, and his
mother would make a birthday cake. But we shouldn't let them do it
all. Mother would furnish the salad and some of the other things.
Then, I don't doubt Patricia would help, and Leonora and David."

"I wish I could." Miss Sterling shook her head sadly.

"Now, Miss Nita, don't you feel that way! If you do, I'll give it
all up!"

"But I may be sorry, mayn't I, that I can't help anything along?"

"No; because you do help along. It isn't just money and cake and
such things."

"I like cake!" She smiled whimsically.

"Oh, why don't I bring you some! We had a lovely raspberry layer
cake when Mr. Von Dalin was here, and I never thought to bring over
a mite! Mother says I am growing careless, and I'm afraid she's
right!"

"Dear child! I don't want you to bring me cake! I said that only
in fun."

"You shall have some, all the same! Isn't the table here any
better?"

Miss Sterling wrinkled her face into an answer. "The last cook is
the worst we've had yet."

"Too bad! Colonel Gresham said he was going to see Mr. Randolph
about things; but I dare say he has forgotten it."

"I hope he won't think I've been complaining to you." Miss
Sterling looked alarmed.

"No, I cautioned him. Probably he will never think of it again."

"I rather hope he won't. My fear of the Powers is amounting almost
to terror."

"Oh, Miss Nita, don't be afraid! That will make you go back! You
mustn't have a bit of fear!"

Miss Sterling laughed softly. "Well," she yielded--"let's talk
about the birthday celebration."

"You haven't stopped being afraid." Polly scanned the other with
keen eyes. "But never mind, we'll go ahead with the plans. I love
to plan! Don't you?"

"I like it too well; but I've seen so many of my projects burst
into nothing all in a minute that I've been trying lately to
content myself with everyday happenings."

"I'm sorry you've had so much trouble, Miss Nita," said Polly
plaintively.

The little woman smiled. "I ought not to have said that. I'm
better, you know! How are we to get up to Foxford?"

"Oh, in automobiles! Didn't I t