e more the plan was discussed, the more attractive it seemed to our
little friends, and the stronger grew their desire to be permitted to go.

"I wish I knew for certain that mamma would say yes," said Sophy.
"Suppose we go up to the house now and ask."

"No," objected Harold, "mamma will be busy now, and less likely to say
yes, than after dinner. So we had better wait."

"Well, then, you all ask leave when you go up to dinner, and we will call
here on our way home from school to know whether you are going or not,"
said Hetty, as she and Maggie rose to go.

Harold and Sophy agreed, but Elsie said that she could not know then,
because her father had gone to the city and would not be back until near
tea-time.

"Oh, well, never mind! he'll be sure to say yes if mamma does," said
Harold, hopefully. And then, as Hetty and Maggie walked away, he began
consulting with Sophy on the best plan for approaching their mother on
the subject. They resolved to wait until after dinner, and then, when she
had settled down to her sewing, to present their request.

Mrs. Allison raised several objections; the weather was very warm, the
road would be very dusty, and she was sure they would get overheated and
fatigued, and heartily wish themselves at home long before the day was
over.

"Well, then, mamma, we can come home; there is nothing to prevent us,"
said Harold.

"Oh, mamma, do let us go just this once," urged Sophy; "and if we find it
as disagreeable as you think, you know we won't ask again."

And so at last Mrs. Allison gave a rather reluctant consent, but only on
condition that Mr. Dinsmore would allow Elsie to go, as she said it would
be very rude indeed for them to go and leave their little guest at home
alone.

This conversation had taken place in Mrs. Allison's dressing-room, and
Elsie was waiting in the hall to learn the result of their application.

"Mamma says we may go if your papa says yes," cried Sophy, rushing out
and throwing her arms round Elsie's neck. "Oh, aren't you glad? Now,
Elsie, coax him hard and make him let you go."

"I wouldn't dare to do it; I should only get punished if I did, for papa
never allows me to coax or tease, nor even to ask him a second time,"
Elsie said, with a little shake of her head.

"Oh, nonsense!" exclaimed Sophy, "I often get what I want by teasing.
I guess you never tried it."

"My papa is not at all like your father and mother," replied Elsie, "and
it would be worse tha