"There ain't any 'but' about it. I'm going even if I have to walk all by myself. I'm 'most as big as you. Two years ain't much difference! Faith never kicks about your going, but she always tries to make me stay at home. She won't this time, though." The shapely little head shook so vigorously that each tight ring of short, brown hair bobbed emphatically. "But you _can't_ go in that dress," remonstrated Cherry, still staring at the abbreviated gown and neglecting her own preparations. "It is hardly big enough for Allee any more. You've had that for three or four years." "It's the only thing I could find. My white one is _all_ worn out, and that ugly green gingham has a long tear on the side which Gail hasn't mended yet." "But what will Faith say when she sees that rig? Why, Peace, it looks awful!" "I should say it did!" exclaimed a second voice from the hallway, and Faith, a tall, brown-eyed girl of about fifteen years, entered the door. "What in the world do you think you are doing, Peace Greenfield?" Peace blinked her somber eyes vigorously, for tears were very near the surface, but she swallowed back the lump in her throat and calmly answered, "I'm getting ready for the reception, same as you." "Indeed you're not! Gail isn't going, and you can stay right here at home with her and Allee." "That's what I did the last time, but you don't play that trick on me tonight. Mother said I could go to the next reception, and I am going." "She didn't mean this kind of a reception, and you can't go." "I will, I will! Oh, you are the crossest sister!" cried poor Peace, with tears of vexation streaming down over her cheeks. "You _always_ spoil my good times! You _never_ make Cherry stay at home--" "She is older--" "Two years ain't much!" "She knows how to behave herself." "So do I! I'll be as good as gold--" "I've taken you on that promise before." "Oh, Oh, Oh! I will go! I'm going straight to mother and ask her now." "Mother is worse tonight and can't be bothered. Stop your yelling, or she will hear you." "I want her to hear! I shall go! She said I might!" The storm was on in all its fury. "Hush!" interposed Cherry, running to her sobbing sister and trying to soothe her wild rebellion with gentle caresses. "I will stay home with you, Peace. I don't care much about going, anyway." "You can stay at home if you want to," declared the small rebel with emphasis, "but _I_ am going!" "Children, children, what is all this racket about?" asked a gentle, grieved voice, suddenly, and the shamed-faced trio wheeled to find the pale, little, invalid mother standing in their midst. "Oh, mother, mayn't I go? Faith says I can't, but you promised me when Mr. Kane went away that I could go to the next reception if I would make no more fuss about not going to his." "So I did, dear--" "But a reception for a new minister is no place for such little girls, mother," broke in Faith, petulantly.