“I thought we had decided not to discuss Mr. Sprague,” she put in with an approach to irritation. “Oh, dear me! Now I’ve done it again! I declare, Lucy, you are certainly abnormally sensitive on the subject of Mr. Sprague,” Nannie complained, hastening on to prevent a reply, “but it’s certainly dull never seeing _anybody_ from one day’s end to another. I don’t mean for myself. It makes no difference about me. But for your own sake you ought to go out occasionally, and have a few friends in once in a while.” Lucy returned to her jonquils. “I expect it does seem rather quiet to you, Mamma. I’ve gotten so used to it I don’t notice it. We’ll have to take in a theatre some evening this week. I’ll have John get tickets.” “You needn’t do it on my account, but I really think it would do you good. You are stuck here in the house night and day. Doesn’t anyone besides Mrs. Hamilton ever call on you?” “Yes. At least a number did call, but I’m not very good at keeping up formal acquaintances, and most of them have stopped. Miss Storms used to come here often, but she’s so busy, and I’ve gotten into the habit of dropping in on her when I go down----” “Lucy, I should think you’d have at least consideration enough not to mention that woman in my presence!” “Well, Mamma, we won’t discuss her either then,” responded Lucy quietly. “Well, of course people will call on me, now that I’m here.” “I doubt if anybody knows it except those in the next houses, and we only know them by sight.” “You oughtn’t to let yourself be forgotten like this, Lucy. If you don’t push yourself a little nobody will notice you.” Lucy straightened up from her work. She was thinking. “I’ll invite a few women acquaintances out to meet you, Mamma. Maybe you’ll like some of them, and it will give you a chance to get out a little afterwards.” “I don’t like to think of your going to trouble and expense for me.” “It won’t be much trouble or expense.” “You could have a little tea, couldn’t you? You make such darling little cakes and sandwiches.” “Al right, we’ll do it.” “Now you’re sure it’s not too much for you, Lucy?” “Quite sure,” affirmed Lucy, smiling. “I’m sure it’s very nice of you. I’ll help decorate the table. I must look through my trunks and fix up something to wear.” Lucy bent over her plants. * * * * * John that night approved the plan for the tea. “You can get some things from the caterer’s,” he suggested. Lucy, however, counting the money on hand, decided to prepare the refreshments herself. She asked two young girls who lived near to help her serve, and the simple affair was conducted without a hitch. Nannie’s toilette, made by herself, was the admiration of all, and she referred to her home and friends in Russellville in a way that made several of the ladies wish they might see her in such lovely surroundings.