ila's face had been scarlet at first, for she was almost ashamed of
being a little bound-out girl before these newcomers, but Edith had
started it so beautifully that she smiled at her audience.

"Let's sit on the floor," said Willis. "That's the way they do in
Persia, and Aunt Grace never finds fault with us."

They gathered around the little girl. Even Uncle Warren laid down his
paper and joined the circle. And what an attentive audience!

"Well that's just fine!" ejaculated Willis. "I've never seen just such
a Cinderella, and there wasn't any glass slipper?"

"Don't interrupt," said his sister.

It was all so vivid and Marilla made such pretty gestures with her
hands and swayed her head to and fro, that they could fairly see the
palace, and the banquet was superb with its lights and flowers and
beautiful adornments.

"And couldn't they dance but just one evening with the Prince? That
was rather tough."

"But there was so many knights and the Cinderellas seemed just as
happy. No one was cross."

"Well, that was wonderful! Oh, didn't you hate to wake up?"

"I don't believe I did really wake up, and every night for awhile I
seemed dreaming it over, and I can shut my eyes and see it so plainly.
When things didn't go quite right it was such a pleasure."

"Oh, you're a darling!" cried Isabel. "I just wish the kindergarten
children could hear it told that way. If you were a grown-up girl
they'd pay you for telling stories."

"Aunt Grace can't you bring her around and let mother hear that?"
asked Willis. "My mother is so fat she hates to go out anywhere," to
Marilla. "She thinks it disgraceful! But she's a sweet mother for all
that; and now we must go home. Thank you a hundred times for the
story. When I have my party I shall send for you and dance with you
every other time. You ought to be named Cinderella."

She looked so bright and happy and promised to visit them if Dr.
Richards did not take her home too soon.

But the Hippodrome was beyond any dream. Sometimes she held her breath
with delight until she was fairly tired. Dr. Richards watched the
sweet, changeful face. Yes, she should be all his--why he had never
dreamed of anything half as sweet as the joy of a father.

Sunday afternoon he and Mr. Lorimer came in. The girls had gone to
Sunday School. He laid his plan before the Warrens who were a good
deal surprised.

"As a man grows older he begins to think of a home and the joys
nothing else offers,