whether they came to-night in the
cars; but they didn't. There was a letter that uncle wasn't able; but
they'll come to-morrow afternoon."

"That's splendid," thought Dotty; "now I'll have to-night and all
to-morrow forenoon to hunt."

"And then Mrs. Pragoff said we might just as well stay here all night as
to go home," continued Prudy.

"O, dear, dear! we're not going to stay here. Prudy Parlin? Why didn't
you come and ask if I was willing?"

"I did hunt for you, Dotty, but I couldn't find you. I thought you'd
like to stay. They are playing so beautifully down stairs. I'm just
proud of Horace; he acts like a little gentleman."

"I don't care how Horace acts, and I don't want to play with people
that have their hair frizzed. I want to go back to auntie's.'

"But you can't, Dotty. Mrs. Pragoff has sent to Mrs. Fixfax for our
night-dresses."

Dotty rolled herself up in the curtain, and screamed into the folds of
it.

"Why, Dotty, what am I going to do with you? Please come down, and
behave."

"O, Prudy, I don't want ever to go down again. I don't want ever to see
folks, or behave, as long as I live."

"But, Dotty, all these little boys and girls came here just to see us.
It is our Christmas party. You'll mortify Mrs. Pragoff. You know how Fly
mortified her this morning. Please _don't_ be contrary."

Dotty unrolled herself from the curtain with a triumphant smile.

"You needn't say anything, Prudy Parlin! You got mad your own self, I
s'pose you know!"

Prudy's eyes dropped suddenly.

"But, Dotty, why do you want to go back to auntie's to-night?"

"I want to go for something particular. I--" Prudy's mouth was opening
for another question. "Because I---I've swallowed something the wrong
way."

"O Dotty, not a pin!"

"No; what you s'pose? Guess I've done something to my windpipe. Wish you
wouldn't talk."

Prudy, in spite of her vexation, could not help smiling at Dotty's
fierce grimaces, of which she got a vanishing view as the child went
into the curtain again.

"If we don't go home, Prudy, I'll have to go right to bed. I don't feel
like sitting up."

"Then I must ask Mrs. Pragoff where we are to sleep."

And next minute Prudy was half way down stairs, thinking,--

"What's gone wrong? I never can find out by asking _her_. She don't
think or care how impolite she is, and how hard she makes it for me."

It was a very brilliant party, composed of some of the most refined and
accomplished little p