e
having such a good time," she wailed. "I wish we could invite her."

Judy stamped her foot. "Anne Batcheller," she cried, tempestuously,
"you are too good to live," and she went out of the room like a
whirlwind.

She went straight to the Judge and Mrs. Batcheller, who were chatting
together in the dimness and quiet of the great parlor.

"I sha'n't have anything to do with the lawn party, grandfather," she
blazed, after she had told her story, "if that teacher is to be
invited!"

But the Judge's eyes were dreamy. "Dear little tender-heart," he said.

"She teaches us a lesson of forgiveness," said Mrs. Batcheller, who
with the Judge had deeply resented the treatment accorded Anne on that
fateful Monday morning.

"Perhaps it would be best to ask Miss Mary," ventured the Judge.

"If she would come," said Mrs. Batcheller, doubtfully.

But Judy would not listen to reason or argument.

"Do you think we ought to back down now," she demanded of Launcelot,
who, with Anne, had followed her to the parlor to talk things over.

"No," he said, slowly, "I don't think we ought to back down. But I
guess we shall have to."

"Why?"

Launcelot's eyes went to the sobbing figure in the little grandmother's
arms.

"We can't make her unhappy," he said in a low voice.

"Anne?"

"Yes."

"Everything is spoiled now," said Judy, chokingly, "everything. And I
took such an interest. I think it's mean--mean--mean--"

Her voice grew very shrill, and her face was red. Mrs. Batcheller
started to speak, but the Judge raised his hand to stop the untimely
lecture.

"Wait!" he said.

Something in his kind old face reminded Judy suddenly of the story he
had told her just a week before--of her grandmother and how she had
conquered her temper.

With a strong effort she kept back the words of furious disappointment
that she had intended to hurl at these weak-spirited people. Then she
whisked out of the room and down the hall, and presently Launcelot, who
had followed her, came back laughing but mystified.

"She is walking around the oval in the garden," he said, "as fast as
she can go, and she won't stop."

The Judge slapped his hand on his knee. "By George," he said, with a
sigh of relief, "she's done it!" But when Anne asked him to explain,
he shook his head. "That's a secret between Judy and me," he said,
"and I can't tell it," and over her head he smiled at Mrs. Batcheller,
who knew the story, and had often laughed