Alys’s recitation was in United States history, and this Beth knew thoroughly; she cheered up more and more as she saw that, though she was going to be crushed by her lucky cousins’ accomplishments, there would be studies in which she would not disgrace them. After the three Cortlandts had recited Miss Deland set them to writing a synopsis of what they had repeated. While this was doing she examined Beth. When the examination was over Beth found herself before the bookcase at the end of the room talking excitedly to Miss Deland about the many favorite volumes she was finding on its shelves, with the sudden conviction that private lessons with a governess was the most delightful thing in the world, instead of the ordeal that she had dreaded. The morning ended with a story which Miss Deland set each of her four pupils to write, the subject being one that she herself suggested. Beth was surprised to see Natalie and Alys struggling with their task; Dirk wrote faster than either of his sisters. Beth, who had written stories ever since she could remember, and who cherished the hope of one day being a great author, finished her story first of all. It was the one Miss Deland selected to read aloud, “because”--Miss Deland actually said this!--“it was by far the best of the four.” Beth went to lunch a happy Beth; it was hard to feel that her cousins could speak French, draw, play, dance, ride, knew astronomy, chemistry and nobody could say what else, and that she, Beth, could do nothing in particular. She was properly glad to excel them in something. “We are going to be excused from our exercise this afternoon, Beth, to teach you to dance,” said Natalie. “We always go out after lunch, but we aren’t going to-day. You see next week is Thanksgiving, and we are going to give a dance. It is to introduce you to our friends. Of course, dear, my friends are too old for you, and Alys’s are, too. Dirk is nearest your age, but his friends are all boys. So we’re going to ask our own set, just as usual, but we are going to invite their younger brothers and sisters for you.” “Please don’t, Natalie,” said Beth. “I shouldn’t know what to do with them.” “You don’t have to do anything with them,” said Alys. “We’re going to give a dance. It’s going to be a fancy dress dance, all in Puritan, or colonial costume, because it is Thanksgiving. It will be lots of fun.” “I’m going to dress up as a turkey gobbler and scare you girls to death,” said Dirk. “You’d better go as a goose,” said Natalie. “No, let him go as a gobbler, then he can have his neck wrung,” said Alys sharply. “I’ll be an Indian and scalp you!” shouted Dirk turning red with rage.