mischievous to get
soda water, a treat which they were often allowed at home.

They left the park, and drove down Fifth Avenue, and after a while the
carriage stopped in front of a large drug shop.

Parker assisted them from the carriage, and ushered them into the shop,
which had a well-appointed soda fountain. Then Parker proceeded to select
four seats for his charges, and after he had lifted Rosamond up on to her
stool, and the rest were seated, he said to Marjorie, "Will you give the
order, Miss Maynard?"

Feeling very grownup, Marjorie asked the others what flavors they would
like, and then she gave the order to the clerk. The footman stood behind
them, grave and impassive, and as there was a large mirror directly in
front of them, Marjorie could see him all the time. It struck her very
funny to see the four Maynards eating their ice cream soda, without
laughing or chatting, and with a statuesque footman in charge of them!
However, the Maynards' enjoyment of their favorite dainty was not
seriously marred by the conditions, and when at last they laid down their
spoons, Marjorie suddenly realized that she had no money with her to pay
for their treat.

"Have you any money, King?" she asked.

"Not a cent; I never dreamed of having any occasion to use it, and I
didn't bring any with me."

"What shall we do?" said Kitty, who foresaw an embarrassing situation.

"If you have finished, I will pay the check," said Parker, "and then, are
you ready to go home, Miss Maynard?"

"Yes, thank you," said Marjorie, delighted to be relieved from her
anxiety about the money.

So Parker paid the cashier, and then marshalled his charges out of the
shop, and in a moment they were once again on their way home.

"Pretty good soda water," said Marjorie.

"Yes; but you might as well drink it in church," said King, who was
beginning to tire of the atmosphere of restraint.

"I wish they did serve soda water in church," said Kitty; "it would be
very refreshing."

And then they were back again at Grandpa Maynard's, and were admitted
with more footmen and formality.

But Marjorie, with her adaptable nature, was beginning to get used to
conventional observances, and, followed by the other three, she entered
the drawing-room, and went straight to her Grandmother. "We had a very
pleasant drive, thank you," she said, and her pretty, graceful manner
brought a smile of approbation to her grandmother's face.

"I'm glad you did, my dear