Allison was off at once, and the entrance of the soapy and embarrassed
children created a further diversion.

For a few minutes even Ellen Robinson was absorbed in the presents.
There was a camera for Junior, a gold chain and locket for Elaine, a
beautiful doll for Dorothy, and a small train of cars that would wind
up and run on a miniature track for Bertie; so of course everything
had to be looked at and tried. Elaine put on her chain, and preened
herself before the glass; Junior had to understand at once just how to
take a picture; everybody had to watch the doll open and shut its
eyes, and to try to unbutton and button its coat and dress; and then
the railroad track had to be set up and the train started off on its
rounds. Ellen Robinson really looked almost motherly while she watched
her happy children; and Julia Cloud relaxed, and let the smile come
around her lips once more.

But all things come to an end, and Ellen Robinson was not one to
forget her own affairs for long at a time. She sat back from starting
the engine on its third round, and fixed her eyes on her sister with
that air of commander-general that was so intolerable.

"Well, then, I suppose you won't be over here till next week," she
frowned thoughtfully. "I needed you to help with the crabapple jelly.
That makes it inconvenient. But perhaps I can hold off the fruit a
little longer; I'll see. You ought to be able to get all your packing
done this week, I should think. When do they go?" She nodded toward
the niece and nephew quite indifferently as though they were deaf.

Julia Cloud's sensitive face flushed with annoyance, but the two pairs
of bright eyes that lifted and fixed themselves upon their aunt held
nothing but enjoyment of the situation.

"Why, we're not going until Aunt Jewel is ready to go with us, Aunt
Ellen," announced Leslie, looking up from the doll she was reclothing.
"You know we're all going to college together, Auntie, too!"

Ellen Robinson lifted an indignant chin. She had no sense of humor,
and did not enjoy jokes, especially those practised upon herself.

"Going to college! At her age!" she snorted. "Well, I always knew she
was childish, but I never expected her to want to go back to
kindergarten!"

Leslie rose up straight as a rush, her strong young arms down at her
sides, her fingers in their soft suede gloves working restively as if
she wanted to rush at her aunt and administer corporal punishment. Her
pretty red lips