hour and more than likely the dinner is
spoilt, cause ah simply couldn't interrup' dat beautiful music."

Dorothy carefully put away her violin and ran to Aunt Betty telling
her she had some brand new news.

"Let it wait, Dorothy," said Aunt Betty, "till we are all at the
dinner table. Come, Jim," and then they all went to the table, Jim
saying as he did that music sure did give him an appetite, and that
that must be the reason they had music at so many of the New York
hotels at meal time, or, as Dorothy corrected him, at dinner.

CHAPTER II.

ALFARETTA'S LETTER.

"Alfa, Alfy," called Ma Babcock. "Come 'ere quick, there's something
'ere fer ye."

"Ma, where are you," yelled Alfy from the barnyard.

"'Ere in the kitchen," answered Ma Babcock.

"All right," said Alfy. "Dunno as I know what you want," she continued
to herself. "What is it, ma?"

"'Ere's a letter fer ye," Ma Babcock rejoined.

"Must be from Dorothy. Can't think of anyone else writing me, can you?
I'll open it and see.

"Oh, ma! Listen, listen! Dear Dorothy wants me right away. Oh, how can
I get to her; you couldn't get on without me, now. Oh, dear, oh dear,"
wailed Alfy, most in tears.

"Alfaretta Babcock, come to your senses. A big girl like you, crying,"
scolded Ma Babcock. "Tell me what Dorothy says in her letter."

Alfaretta, reading--

"Dear, dear Alfy--

"In two weeks I start on my concert tour, and as I had not
expected to go for more than a month at least, I want you to
come and stay with me and I've got such a good proposition to
make you. I will be very busy and will need you to help me
get my clothes and things together. Oh, Alfy, dear, please,
please come. Don't you disappoint me. I just must see you
again. It's been such an awful long time since you have
stayed with me. Tell Ma Babcock she simply must let you come.
Metty will meet you at the station. Take the noon train. Give
my love to all the little Babcocks and to ma. Tell ma,
Baretta and Claretta can help her while you are away, and I
am sure that Matthew will help too. Oh, Alfy, do, do come.
With love,

"Ever your affectionate,

"DOROTHY.

"There, ma, that's what she says."

"Well, well, things do come sudden always. I must get my things on and
drive down and tell 'em all at Liza Jane's Thread and Needle Store to
start the news a-spreadin'."

"Then I may go?"

"