I'm awfully glad that you pointed out what a card Madame
Milano's introduction will be, Judy. They'll put up with me for her sake
and I'll have a good time, even if it is in borrowed plumage."

Judith, however, was not going to allow that her admired Miss Pat needed
any other recommendation than her own pleasant self, and she defended
Patricia so stoutly against this statement that Ted declared he was
green with jealousy and began a counter-charge of neglect of his
talents, which moved Judith to swift retort and afforded great diversion
to their end of the table.

The talk hung on the charms of Artemis Lodge, and then slipped to the
changes which had come into each of their lives since their last
meeting. Margaret Howes confessed to being at work on a large decorative
scheme for a woman's club, although she would not divulge the
whereabouts of the club nor the length of her stay in the metropolis.
Elinor showed the photograph of her finished cartoon for the stained
glass window she had been at work on before and during the holidays,
while Bruce promised a view of his partly finished panel for the
Historical Society. Hiram Todd sketched lightly the prospects which were
opening to him in additional work in Washington. Ted and Tom had little
to add to their openly avowed intentions to capture honors in the same
course, each declaring that the other stood little show beside himself.
Judith was very quiet and, as the youngest, was not pressed for any
definite account of her aims and accomplishments, and though Patricia
knew well that her silence covered great determinations, the memory of
her agitated manner when she had spoken jestingly of her literary
ambitions kept her from further open questioning.

The intimate hospitality of the studio made a good setting for their gay
sociability and the dinner progressed without any more drags on the
wheels of its merry-making. Mrs. Nat told funny stories, and the boys
gave impromptu imitations of classmates and professors; Margaret Howes
sparkled with quaint tales of the remote mountain village where she had
been spending the summer. Elinor's gentle wit flashed; and Bruce's ready
laughter followed every one of his own clever jokes, while Patricia and
Marian made their mark as an appreciative audience, enjoying everything
that was meant for humor and applauding even the feeblest joke.
Altogether it was a great success as a celebration and a happy augury of
the future into which it