right and perfectly
agreeable to every one concerned."

Mrs. Campbell: "And I can say that I sent it at your suggestion, and
then, instead of trying to help me out of the awful, awful--box, you
took a cruel pleasure in teasing me about it! But I shall not say
anything, for I shall not see them. I will leave you to receive them and
make the best of it. Don't _try_ to stop me, Willis." She threatens him
with her fan as he steps forward to intercept her escape.

Campbell: "No, no! Listen, Amy! You _must_ stay and see those ladies.
It's all well enough to leave it to me, but what about poor Welling?
_He_ hasn't done anything--except cause the whole trouble."

Mrs. Campbell: "I am very sorry, but I can't help it. I must go."
Campbell continues to prevent her flight, and she suddenly whirls about
and makes a dash at the open window. "Oh, very well, then! I can get out
this way." At the same moment Miss Rice and Miss Greenway appear before
the window on the piazza. "Ugh! E--e--e! How you frightened me! But--but
come in. So gl--glad to see you! And you--you too, Miss Greenway. Here's
Mr. Welling. He's been desolating us with a story about having to be
away over my party, and just getting back for Mrs. Curwen's. Isn't it
too bad? Can't some of you young ladies--or all of you--make him stay?"
As Mrs. Campbell talks on, she readjusts her spirit more and more to
the exigency, and subdues her agitation to a surface of the sweetest
politeness.

VIII

_MISS RICE, MISS GREENWAY, and the OTHERS_

Miss Rice, entering with an unopened letter in her hand, which she
extends to Mrs. Campbell: "What in the world does it all mean, Mrs.
Campbell, your sending your letters flying after _me_ at this rate?"

Mrs. Campbell, with a gasp: "My letters?" She mechanically receives the
extended note, and glances at the superscription: "_Mrs. Willis
Campbell_. Ah!" She hands it quickly to her husband, who reads the
address with a similar cry.

Campbell: "Well, well, Amy! This is a pretty good joke on you. You've
sealed up one of your own notes, and sent it to Miss Rice. Capital! Ah,
ha, ha!"

Mrs. Campbell, with hysterical rapture: "Oh, how delicious! What a
ridiculous blunder! I don't wonder you were puzzled, Margaret."

Welling: "What! Sent her your own letter, addressed to yourself?"

Mrs. Campbell: "Yes. Isn't it amusing?"

Welling: "The best thing I ever heard of."

Miss Rice: "Yes. And if you only knew what agonies of curios