more senses than
one. It was so long since they had had such a delightful bedtime talk.

"Seeing Winton First Club," Hilary said musingly. "Paul, you're ever
so clever. Shirley insisted those letters stood for 'Suppression of
Woman's Foibles Club'; and Mr. Dayre suggested they meant, 'Sweet Wild
Flowers.'"

"You've simply got to go to sleep now, Hilary, else mother'll come and
take me away."

Hilary sighed blissfully. "I'll never say again--that nothing ever
happens to us."

Tom and Josie came to supper the next night. Shirley was there, too,
she had stopped in on her way to the post-office with her father that
afternoon, to ask how Hilary was, and been captured and kept to supper
and the first club meeting that followed.

Hilary had been sure she would like to join, and Shirley's prompt and
delighted acceptance of their invitation proved her right.

"I've only got five names on my list," Tom said, as the young folks
settled themselves on the porch after supper. "I suppose we'll think
of others later."

"That'll make ten, counting us five, to begin with," Pauline said.

"Bell and Jack Ward," Tom took out his list, "the Dixon boys and Edna
Ray. That's all."

"I'd just like to know where I come in, Tom Brice!" Patience demanded,
her voice vibrant with indignation.

"Upon my word! I didn't suppose--"

"I am to belong! Ain't I, Paul?"

"But Patty--"

"If you're going to say no, you needn't Patty me!"

"We'll see what mother thinks," Hilary suggested. "You wouldn't want
to be the only little girl to belong?"

"I shouldn't mind," Patience assured her, then feeling pretty sure that
Pauline was getting ready to tell her to run away, she decided to
retire on her own account. That blissful time, when she should be
"Miss Shaw," had one drawback, which never failed to assert itself at
times like these--there would be no younger sister subject to her
authority.

"Have you decided what we are to do?" Pauline asked Tom, when Patience
had gone.

"I should say I had. You'll be up to a ride by next Thursday, Hilary?
Not a very long ride."

"I'm sure I shall," Hilary answered eagerly. "Where are we going?"

"That's telling."

"He won't even tell me," Josie said.

Tom's eyes twinkled. "You're none of you to know until next Thursday.
Say, at four o'clock."

"Oh," Shirley said, "I think it's going to be the nicest club that ever
was."

CHAPTER VI

PERSONALLY CONDUCTED

"Am I late?"