but did not catch the
name of this one.

"She looks like that picture of the cherub we have at home," decided
Beth. "I wonder what her name is. I guess I'll call her 'Cherub' to
myself. Cherub, you're very pretty, but you're too quiet to be much
fun."

Most of the little girls had their dolls with them; all, in fact,
excepting Beth and the "Cherub." The latter sat apart from the other
children. She looked so very demure that Beth thought her bashful, and
took pity on her. Seating herself beside her, she asked:

"Wouldn't your mamma let you bring your doll? My mamma thought I had
better not bring mine so far."

The "Cherub" showed little interest in the conversation. She answered
curtly:

"I haven't a doll."

Beth's eyes opened in surprise. "You haven't any doll? What a pity."

Then she hesitated. She feared the "Cherub" might be too poor to
afford dolls. She was soon undeceived, however, by the "Cherub"
exclaiming:

"_I_ don't think it a pity. I don't care for dolls; they're a
nuisance. I like to play outdoors."

"So do I."

The "Cherub" grew animated. "Do you? Say, can you climb trees and
walk on stilts and----"

"What are stilts?"

"Don't you know?" There was a slight contempt expressed for such
woeful ignorance. "They are long pieces of wood with places for your
feet up from the ground. It's just as if you had wooden legs, only
they make you tall so that you feel quite grown up."

"I'd like to walk on stilts."

"Would you? Where do you live?"

"Out on the old shell road."

"What! are your folks the people who bought the place near us?"

"Do you live on the shell road, too?" Beth was delighted. She was
beginning to think the "Cherub" might prove very companionable.

"Yes. Your name is Beth Davenport, isn't it? Mine's Julia Gordon.
Say, Beth, I'll come to see you and teach you how to walk on stilts if
you like."

"Will you, really? When will you come?"

"To-morrow morning."

Beth's face fell. "Oh, that's a pity. I shan't be home. I'm going to
stay here all night."

"Well, never mind. I'll come the morning after."

"All right, don't forget."

"No, I'll be there right after breakfast."

Games were started at this juncture, and then came refreshments. Soon
afterwards, the guests took their departure. The "Cherub" said in
parting:

"We'll have a jolly time with the stilts, Beth. I've been wanting to
teach somebody for a long time."

Laura and Beth had