e you let the child
have some breakfast; she looks about ready to drop."

But it was not want of food that had driven the color from Marjorie's
cheeks and the light from her eyes. Indeed, she had but small appetite
for the tempting breakfast that was set before her, and it was only by a
mighty effort that she was able to keep back the burst of homesick tears
which threatened every moment to overpower her.

At the same moment that Mrs. Carleton was administering her reproof to
Marjorie, Beverly Randolph was giving his mother an account of the
morning's adventure, as they sat together at breakfast in their pleasant
sitting-room on the floor below.

"I know you would like the little girl, Mother," he ended; "she is such
a natural, jolly sort, and there isn't one bit of nonsense about her."

Mrs. Randolph smiled as she poured her son's coffee, and regarded him
with proud, loving eyes.

"You never have admired the 'sort' with nonsense about them, have you,
dear?" she said rather mischievously.

"I haven't any use for them," said Beverly with decision. "I like girls
well enough when they behave decently, but the silly giggly ones get on
my nerves. This one--Marjorie Graham she says her name is--is all right,
though. I think I know the cousin by sight, and I don't feel so sure
about her."

"You mustn't be too fastidious, Beverly," said his mother, laughing. "I
dare say they are both nice little girls. By the way, I have received an
invitation from that charming Mrs. Bell, who called the other day,
asking us both to dine with her next Tuesday. Her husband is an old
friend of Uncle George's, you know. Mrs. Bell told me she had a daughter
of thirteen or fourteen, so that will be another acquaintance for you."

"Well, if she is like most of the New York girls I've seen I sha'n't
care much about her," declared Beverly. "I prefer the ones that come
from Arizona. Honestly, Mother, I want you to meet that little girl. I
don't know what it was about her, but she reminded me of Babs."

A look of pain crossed Mrs. Randolph's sweet face, but her voice was
still quite cheerful as she answered--

"Very well, dear, be sure to introduce her to me; I want to know all
your friends."

As soon as she could escape from her relatives after breakfast, Marjorie
fled to her own room, there to have her cry out, and pull herself
together, before starting on a shopping expedition with her aunt. Elsie
was going to lunch with a schoolmate, but