acquaintance," just as his mother had
taught him from the deportment book which Jonas had purchased. Soon
the young folk were chatting merrily. Indeed there were so many
strange and wonderful things to see and hear, that Rollo could scarce
taste the delicious food that was set before him, though, taste it or
not, he remembered his father's warning to eat as heartily as
possible.

[Illustration: "At everything Rollo said Stella and Anabelle laughed
very loud"]

First of all there was a band of music, the like of which Rollo had
never heard before. There was also the prettiest little fountain.

"Do you suppose they would let me angle in the fountain, Cousin
Stella?" asked Rollo, thinking of his little line and bobbin at home,
and keeping time to the music with his fork.

"Yes, indeed, Rollo, old Kid," said his cousin.

When Rollo was not engaged in looking about the room, he was occupied
in watching his Cousin Stella, who did many things which surprised
him. To begin with, she always talked when her mouth was full, and she
was never still a moment, what with pointing, gesticulating, and
jumping from her chair to greet other friends who passed their table.
At everything Rollo said, Stella and Anabelle and Rupie laughed very
loud, and Rupie surprised Rollo several times by slapping him sharply
on the back, on one occasion causing him to spill several drops of
water on the corner of his lace collar. This vexed Rollo very much,
and at first he was inclined to be in a pet.

All the while the music was playing gaily, and you may be sure Rollo
was enjoying himself thoroughly.

"Would you like to dance?" asked Stella with a merry smile.

"Would I not, indeed!" cried Rollo.

"Let me see," said Stella, "what o'clock is it? Three o'clock. Let us
meet here again at five when there is dancing. I have to go to the
hairdresser's. Will you come, Rollo?"

"No, thank you," said Rollo politely. "I must go to my apartment and
tell my mother what I propose to do."

"Very well!" said Stella, "we will meet here at five." And so it was
arranged.

Rollo was not sorry when he reached the apartment to find that no one
was at home. The very first thing he did was to look in his box for
his fish-line and bobbin. There it was, just where he had put it when
he left home. Rollo put it in his pocket and walked slowly back to the
Ritz. In the hall-way he met Stella and the others and they were soon
at a table in another room where the mus