o
Laura, regardless of the fact that the "little thing" was nearly as
large as herself.

"But she acts years and years older," was Laura's inward comment. "I
guess she's used to 'sociating with grown folks."

"I don't like to wear lace-trimmed things, either," continued Alene.

"Why, I think they're lovely," said Laura, tenderly fingering one of
the flounces which billowed like waves against her own blue print.

"But you don't have to wear them and be 'called down' by your governess
every minute for fear they'll get torn or dirty!"

"Have you a governess?" inquired Laura in a tone of awe.

"Yes, but she took sick just after mother went away and had to go to
the hospital. You see mother expected her to come here and take care
of me. Uncle hasn't told mother 'cause he don't want to spoil their
trip and he thinks it won't hurt me to learn to take care of myself.
It's the first time I ever went round without a nurse or someone
tagging after me, telling me to do this or not to do that--it's lovely
to be free, girls!"

"'Give me liberty or give me death!'" said Laura in a tragic tone, and
Alene squeezed her hand.

"Oh, Laura, it's so nice to talk with someone who understands! But in
spite of being so free, I get so _lonely_!"

Laura's eyes shone with sudden comprehension.

"Oh, you poor little lonely baby," she said to herself, and then aloud,

"Alene, I wish you could join the Happy-Go-Luckys."

"The Happy-Go-Luckys? What are they?"

"A kind of _club_--you know."

"A club," said Alene, in such a doubtful tone that Laura took a sudden
fit of laughter.

"Oh, Alene, you're so funny! It's not a club to _hit_ with, but just
us--a crowd of girls--to go together for fun and to do things."

"Oh, Laura! Would you really let me join, if Uncle will allow?"

"I'd love to, but we have some rules and bylaws--to be eligible the
candidate's age must be at least twelve!" Laura from long practice was
able to repeat the big words glibly.

"And I won't be twelve till July the seventeenth! Oh, Laura!"

"That's not so far off!"

"But what'll become of me till then? I'll die of loneliness!"

"I was going to say that July seventeenth is so near, and you seem so
much older, that we'll have a special election, and--well, we'll
stretch the rules to let you in."

Alene gave a sigh of relief.

"As I'm not so very large, you won't have to stretch them very far,"
she said, encouragingly.

"If she's little, she's old