Shirley asked, as Pauline came down the steps to meet her
Thursday afternoon.

"No, indeed, it still wants five minutes to four. Will you come in, or
shall we wait out here? Hilary is under bond not to make her
appearance until the last minute."

"Out here, please," Shirley answered, sitting down on the upper step.
"What a delightful old garden this is. Father has at last succeeded in
finding me my nag, horses appear to be at a premium in Winton, and even
if he isn't first cousin to your Bedelia, I'm coming to take you and
Hilary to drive some afternoon. Father got me a surrey, because,
later, we're expecting some of the boys up, and we'll need a two-seated
rig."

"We're coming to take you driving, too," Pauline said. "Just at
present, it doesn't seem as if the summer would be long enough for all
the things we mean to do in it."

"And you don't know yet, what we are to do this afternoon?"

"Only, that it's to be a drive and, afterwards, supper at the Brices'.
That's all Josie, herself, knows about it. Tom had to take her and
Mrs. Brice into so much of his confidence."

Through the drowsy stillness of the summer afternoon, came the notes of
a horn, sounding nearer and nearer. A moment later, a stage drawn by
two of the hotel horses turned in at the parsonage drive at a fine
speed, drawing up before the steps where Pauline and Shirley were
sitting, with considerable nourish. Beside the driver sat Tom, in long
linen duster, the megaphone belonging to the school team in one hand.
Along each side of the stage was a length of white cloth, on which was
lettered--

SEEING WINTON STAGE

As the stage stopped, Tom sprang down, a most businesslike air on his
boyish face.

"This is the Shaw residence, I believe?" he asked, consulting a piece
of paper.

"I--I reckon so," Pauline answered, too taken aback to know quite what
she was saying.

"All right!" Tom said. "I understand--"

"Then it's a good deal more than I do," Pauline cut in.

"That there are several young people here desirous of joining our
little sight-seeing trip this afternoon."

From around the corner of the house at that moment peeped a small
freckled face, the owner of which was decidedly very desirous of
joining that trip. Only a deep sense of personal injury kept Patience
from coming forward,--she wasn't going where she wasn't wanted--but
some day--they'd see!

Shirley clapped her hands delightedly. "How perfectly jolly! Oh, I