n room, of course. But what is the matter, Edith? Was
papa scolding you?"

Edith, longing for sympathy, poured out the story, but she did not
receive much from that practical young person.

"I wouldn't cry my eyes out about that. Of course you will have to do as
papa says, or he won't like it at all. And it is a thousand times nicer
to drive in the surrey than that old rattle-trap of a buggy. The surrey
runs so smoothly, and Bess goes like a breeze. You had better give in
gracefully, Edith. But see this lovely silver buckle and belt mamma has
just given me to wear this afternoon. Isn't it perfect? She says she has
more than she can wear. It was one of her own. _I_ think she's a dear.
But there is Jack calling me to practise."

And happy-hearted Cynthia was off again like a flash.

Edith bathed her face and began to think better of the subject. After
all, she would go. It was a lovely day, every one would be there, and
it was not worth while to make people talk. Above all, she would be
sorry to miss the affair to which she had been looking forward for
weeks.

She dressed herself that afternoon in a simple gingham that had seen the
wash-tub many times, and took her place on the back seat of the surrey,
with Mrs. Franklin, Jack and Cynthia sitting in front. Mrs. Franklin was
in the daintiest of summer frocks, and Edith glanced at her somewhat
enviously.

"I wish we were the ones that had the money," she thought, "and that she
were poor. I believe then I should not mind having her so much."

Mrs. Franklin had a gay and cheery disposition, and she tried to pay no
attention to Edith's coldness.

"I wish I were going to play myself," she said.

"Why, do you play?" asked Cynthia, in surprise.

"To be sure I do. I used to play a great deal at one time. I mean to ask
your father to have the tennis-court at Oakleigh made over, and then we
can have some games there."

"How jolly!" exclaimed Jack and Cynthia together.

"We cannot afford to," put in Edith, coldly.

Mrs. Franklin paid no attention to this. "It will be nice when Neal
comes," she added.

"Neal, always Neal," thought Edith. "Pleasant for us to have a strange
boy here all the time. Oh, dear, how hateful I am! I don't feel nice
towards anybody. If only papa had never seen or heard of the Gordons,
how much happier we should all have been."

But she was the only one of the household that thought so. The younger
children had been completely won over, and it