efore time
for the dinner bell to ring, Elfreda burst into the room with: "Miriam,
will you help me to dress? I am invited to dinner and this time I am
going. The An--Miss Atkins has forgiven me, peace has been restored and
we are going out to dine, arm in arm." Elfreda pranced jubilantly about
the room, then flinging open the door of the wardrobe brought forth two
large boxes that had come by express the day before, one of them
containing her new spring hat, the other a smart suit of natural pongee.

[Illustration: The Two Boxes Contained Elfreda's New Suit and Hat.]

"Stop hurrying for a minute and give me a true and faithful account of
this miracle," demanded Miriam. "I had begun to think the worst had
happened. What did you say first, and what did she say?"

"The door of her room stood partly open and I knocked on it, then
marched in without an invitation," replied Elfreda. "She was so
surprised she forgot to be angry, and before she had time to remember
that she didn't like me I surprised her still further by asking her to
tell me why she had refused to speak to me for so long. Before she knew
it she had stammered something about Grace and I calling her names and
making fun of her behind her back when she had asked me in all good
faith to have dinner with her at Vinton's. She declared she had heard
us.

"The instant she said that I remembered that I had mimicked her that
night while dressing and that Grace had laughed, but had said in the
same breath, that it wasn't fair. So I asked her point blank if that was
what she meant, and she said 'yes,' only she hadn't waited long enough
to hear what Grace had said about unfairness. She had come to the door
just in time to hear me mimic her, and had rushed back to her room angry
and hurt. Then I explained to her that I had a bad trick of imitating
even my friends, and that I had offended more than one person by my
thoughtlessness. I was really dreadfully sorry and asked her to forgive
me. She had half a mind not to do it, then she relented, smiled a little
and actually offered me her hand. Of course, after that I stayed a few
minutes to talk things over with her and she proposed going to dinner.
She is changed. In just what way I can't explain, except that she is
more gentle and not quite so prim. Will you look in the top drawer of
the chiffonier and see if I put my gold beads in that green box? You
know the one I mean."

Miriam obediently opened the drawer and taking