udith in prim rebuke, but Bruce gave her hand
a restraining squeeze, and Patricia went on, glowing with earnestness.

"There isn't any more goodness in dismal looks, no, nor half so much,
as in happy faces. Don't the cherubim sing eternally? Is there
anything said about dark days in the New Jerusalem? I'm ashamed of
you, Judith Kendall, for not knowing that it's twice as brave and good
to be cheerful and pretty as it is to be moping and dull. Look at
Elinor--would we love her if she'd been fussing about the hard times we
had? Not much! Every bright smile she had for those horrid times has
made her more adorable to me and I look on every bit of happiness we
had in those poor days as just so much wrested from the powers of
darkness." She stopped suddenly, with a little gasp of embarrassment,
as Elinor entered.

"Patricia's spouting again," remarked Judith with the serene cruelty of
extreme youth. "I didn't mind, because I'm used to it, but I guess
Bruce is thankful you didn't keep us any longer, Elinor."

Bruce rose and held out his hand to Patricia, who was flushing
painfully.

"Don't mind the kid, Miss Pat dear," he said, with his most winning
smile. "She doesn't know any better yet. Your religion is the sort
we've got to _grow_ into, and, even then, some of us aren't ever quite
big enough to realize it."

Judith's face had been undergoing swift changes during this short
speech, but now it cleared and a beatific expression shone upon it.

"I know what you mean, now, Miss Pat," she declared loftily. "I've
read it in Stevenson's verses, about 'those who . . . sow gladness in
the peopled lands,' Isn't that it, Bruce? I didn't _quite_ understand
the way Patricia put it, but I think it's perfectly lovely, really I
do."

Bruce pinched her cheek, with a tolerant laugh.

"It's all right, so long as it's in a book, eh?" he asked. "What a
perfect little chameleon you are, Judy Kendall. I don't know whether
to take you into the grand surprise that I'm going to spring on these
two young ladies, or leave you at the nearest library while I disclose
my dark projects. What do you say, Elinor?"

Elinor slipped Judith's nervous hand into her muff within her own.

"I think we might let her share with us this time," she said gently,
and Judith's relief was beautiful to behold.

"Bruce says we're going to a French restaurant," she announced proudly.
"I hope I can remember enough French to talk politely. Mademois