it. Doesn't pay to push yourself too hard.
We've had a glorious week, with the concerts and theater and the
museums and all, and I've learned more than I should have at the
school. Just _living_ teaches you lots, if you'll learn, and I don't
believe in turning up my nose at things just because they aren't in a
roster."

Miss Jinny, who had been out scouring the town for the materials for
Sinbad's beard, broke in on them breathlessly.

"What do you think?" she cried, her eyes popping with pleasurable
excitement. "The Haldens are in town for over Sunday, and the girls
are going to the party tomorrow night! They've just landed yesterday
and were in the customer's hunting up suits when I ran across them."

"How splendid!" said Patricia, glowing. "To think that we'll meet them
here in town after all. Are they going to Rockham this summer?"

"Going right up on Monday," said Miss Jinny, taking off her things.
"The two older girls go back to college, but the rest of the family go
right home and stay there."

"I wonder what they are like, and if they'll like us," mused Elinor,
her gaze on the fire that was snapping on the hearth in Miss Jinny's
room where the sewing was being done.

"We'll find out tomorrow night," said Patricia, readily. "And now that
the costumes are all done, tomorrow night can't come too soon for me."

"I'm about ready, too," chimed in Miss Jinny. "I reckon they'll be
quite astonished when they meet with their old friend Sinbad the
Sailor."

CHAPTER IX

THE ACADEMY BALL

"What a crowd!" exclaimed Elinor, as they pushed their way to the cloak
room. "I hope the floor won't be too full for dancing!"

"Don't give way to despair so soon--lots of these are maids and
chaperones. Naskowski told me when we squeezed past him at the door
that the rooms upstairs weren't half filled yet," said Patricia,
hopefully. "Here, Miss Jinny, squeeze in before me--there's a chance
to get inside if we form a flying wedge."

"Mercy sakes, we'll be torn to tatters!" cried Miss Jinny from behind
her veil. "Good thing we're done up good and tight. Lands! There
goes my whisk--no, they don't either, it's only the veil. Oh, for
pity's sake, woman, let me through without any palaver! Can't you tell
I'm a female?" The attendant, who at the sight of Miss Jinny's bushy
beard had thrust a sturdy arm across the door, dropped the barrier with
a snort of laughter, and they were inside the swinging door of th