plan and get things
ready before I go. I'll be here until a week from next Thursday, you
know."

"Oh, I shall need you," Arline assured Grace. "I thought we might have
Christmas dinner at Vinton's and Martell's, too. I've thought it all
out. Both restaurants depend largely on the Overton girls' patronage.
Naturally, they are very dull at Christmas time. My idea was to
interview both proprietors and see if for once they wouldn't combine and
furnish the same menu at the same price per plate, the price to be not
more than fifty cents. It must be just an old-fashioned turkey dinner
with plenty of dressing and vegetables. We must have plum pudding, too,
and all the things that go with a real Christmas dinner."

"But neither Vinton's nor Martell's would serve that sort of Christmas
dinner for fifty cents," said Grace slowly. "I don't wish to discourage
you, but--"

"I know that, too," broke in Arline eagerly, "but no one else need know.
I'm going to take my check that Father always gives me for theatres and
things when I'm at home, and spend it to make up the difference. It will
more than cover the extra expense of the dinner. I'd like to give the
dinner to the girls, but of course that is out of the question. They
wouldn't like it. However, if they are allowed to pay fifty cents for it
they will feel independent, and, nine chances out of ten, won't trouble
themselves about the actual cost of the dinner, as have some persons I
might mention," ended Arline meaningly.

Both girls laughed. Then Grace said admiringly: "It is a splendidly
unselfish idea, and you and Ruth are the very ones to carry it out.
Shall you have a play or anything afterward?"

"Yes, if we can find a good one. I thought we might have a New Year's
masquerade party here. It will be an innovation for these girls. I am
not very sure of anything yet, except that I am not going to New York
and that I must do something to amuse myself while the rest of my
friends are reposing in the bosoms of their families. After all, mine is
really a selfish motive," said the little girl whimsically.

"Hush!" exclaimed Grace, laying her hand lightly against Arline's lips.
"I shall not allow you to say slighting things of yourself. I have just
one remark to make. Be very diplomatic, Arline. If any of these girls
who can't afford to go home for the holidays were even to imagine
themselves objects of charity, your dinner plan would be a failure.
Don't tell a soul about it ex