f such
a brave girl as you! Why I'd have been scared to death, and never have
thought of such a thing as going down where the burglars were."

"Oh I think you would if you'd been in my place," returned Lulu
modestly. "You see I was afraid if I waited to tell papa about them,
they might come out and see him ready to fight them, and kill him; but I
thought if I could get the door shut and fastened on them before they
knew anybody was there, nobody would be hurt."

"And that's the way it was," said Evelyn. "But you _were_ a brave girl
and there's no use in your denying it."

"Yes, indeed, you were," said Rosie. "But come now do tell us the whole
story; we want to hear it fresh from your lips."

"And what went on in the magistrate's office too," added Eva. "Oh
didn't you dislike having to go there and testify?"

"Yes; I begged papa not to make me, but he said it was the law, and not
he, that insisted."

"Yes I know, and of course those things have to be done in such cases;
but I hope my turn will never come. Now, Lu, please begin. You'll have
at least two very attentive listeners."

"More than that, I think," said Rosie, as other voices were heard in the
hall, quickly followed by the entrance of the relatives from the Oaks,
the Pines and Roselands.

And greetings were scarcely exchanged with these when the families from
Ashlands and the Laurels joined the circle; so that quite a large
surprise party had gathered there unexpectedly to themselves as well as
to their hosts. The same desire--to learn the full particulars of what
had reached them as little more than a vague report--had brought them
all.

These were given, and Lulu received so much commendation, and was so
lauded for her bravery, that her father began to fear she would be
puffed up with vanity and conceit.

But at length that subject was dropped and the one of the proposed
Dorcas society taken up.

Evelyn seemed quietly pleased and interested, Zoe, Lora and Rosie ready
to enter into the work with enthusiasm, while the Dinsmore girls gave a
rather languid attention to the discussion.

But when it had been decided to organize a society on the spot, and the
business of electing officers was taken up, they roused themselves to a
new interest, and Maud was evidently gratified when Evelyn nominated her
for the secretaryship.

Lulu seconded the motion and Maud was unanimously elected.

Zoe had already been made president; Lora was chosen treasurer. The