the
evening's entertainment; and some of the girls who were not quite
perfect in their pieces of music or their recitations, had to study and
practise a little while; but beyond that, there was nothing but the
most delightful chaos of packing trunks, laying out dresses, and
talking over plans for the next day. Every little while some one would
ring the bell, and the girls would rush to see which happy girl was
greeting her father or mother.

Ruby's father came about noon, and she was very much surprised, for she
had not expected him until afternoon, on the same train in which she
had come.

When she heard there was a gentleman downstairs to see Miss Ruby
Harper, she rushed downstairs so fast that she nearly tumbled down, and
ran into the parlor, quite sure that she would find her father's arms
waiting to clasp her.

For a moment she did not see any one else, and she fairly cried, very
much to her surprise, she was so glad to see her dear father and feel
herself nestled in his arms. Then some one said,--

"Don't you see me, Ruby?" and Ruby looked around to find Ruthy, all
smiles, watching to see her surprise.

"Why, Ruthy Warren!"--and Ruby fairly screamed with delight. "I never,
never thought of your coming. Why, it is too splendid for anything!
How did you ever come to think of it, and why did n't you tell me, and
are n't you glad you came?"

"I never thought of it at all," Ruthy answered. "It was all your
papa's thought, and I never knew I was coming till last night when he
came over to ask mamma if I could come with him. I could hardly sleep,
I was so glad, for it seemed so long to wait to see you, and it was
such fun to come to travel home with you."

Perhaps there was a happier little girl in the school than Ruby that
day, but I do not know how it could have been possible.

She was going home the next day to see her dear mother. She had her
papa and her little friend Ruthy with her, to sympathize in her joy and
be proud of her success that evening, and when she should go away in
the morning she would not have to leave her new friend Agnes alone at
school, but she would belong to the happy party that were going to have
a delightful Christmas at Ruby's home.

Altogether I do not know what could have been added to her pleasure.
The day passed very quickly, and Ruby took her papa and Ruthy for a
long walk in the afternoon to show them everything pretty in the
village. Her tongue went like a mill-whe