y, "why
I've got to set this house to rights, and I can't wait an hour to begin!"

"Don't mind us, Miss Bender," said Bertha. "Just shut us up in some room
by ourselves, and we'll stay there, and not bother you a bit; unless
perhaps we can help you?"

"Help me! No, indeed. There can't anybody help me when I'm clearin' up
after a quiltin', unless it's somebody that knows my ways. But I'd like
to amuse you children, somehow. I'll tell you what, you can go up in the
front bedroom, if you like, and there's a chest of old-fashioned clothes
there. Can't you play at dressin' up?"

"Yes, indeed," cried Bertha. "Just the thing! Give us some candles."

Provided with two candles apiece, the girls followed Miss Aurora to a
large bedroom on the second floor, which also boasted its carved
four-poster and chintz draperies.

"There," said Miss Aurora, throwing open a great chest, "you ought to get
some fun out of trying on those fol-de-rols, and peacocking around; but
don't come downstairs to show off to me, for you'll only bother me out of
my wits. I'll let you know when your folks come for you."

Miss Bender trotted away, and the girls, quite ready for a lark, tossed
over the quaint old gowns.

Beautiful costumes were there, of the period of about a hundred years
ago. Lustrous silks and dainty dimities; embroidered muslins and heavy
velvets; Patty had never seen such a sight. After looking them over, the
girls picked out the ones they preferred, and taking off their own frocks
proceeded to try them on.

Bertha had chosen a blue and white silk of a bayadere stripe, with lace
ruffles at the neck and wrists and a skirt of voluminous fulness. Elise
wore a white Empire gown that made her look exactly like the Empress
Josephine, while Patty arrayed herself in a flowered silk of Dresden
effect with a pointed bodice, square neck, and elbow sleeves with lace
frills.

In great glee, the girls pranced around, regretting there was no one to
whom they might exhibit their masquerade costumes. But Miss Bender had
been so positive in her orders that they dared not go downstairs.

Suddenly they heard the toot of an automobile.

[Illustration: "Patty arrayed herself in a flowered silk of Dresden
effect"]

"That's our car," cried Bertha. "I know the horn. Let's go down just as
we are, for the benefit of Winthrop and Roger."

In answer to Miss Bender's call from below, the girls trooped downstairs,
and merrily presented themselves for in