Jane had paused with Dick's cherished note half-opened to skip and jump deliriously till she was almost breathless. "O Mother, wouldn't that be glorious? You could put another bed in my room, and, maybe, they'd stay all summer. Oh, goody-goody, goody, goody, goody!" Dr. Morton coming in, caught her in the midst of her war dance and gave her a resounding kiss. "Here, Mother, where did you get this teetotum? We might sell her for a mechanical top--warranted perpetual motion. When the legs give out, the tongue still wags." "I don't care, Father, Katy and Gertie are coming. I just can't wait!" Jane hugged her father and did her best to spin his two hundred pounds avoirdupois around with her. When she had sobered down a little she remarked doubtfully: "But, Mother, Katy and Gertie didn't say a single word about coming, in their letter." "Probably Mrs. Halford hasn't told them. She would naturally write to me first, to find out if it is perfectly convenient for us before she roused their expectations. I presume Alice's letter is only a suggestion, and if I reply to it favorably, Mrs. Halford will write. I shall think it over." "Think it over? Why, Mother, you're going to ask them to come, aren't you?" Chicken Little's eyes were big with pained surprise. "My dear, I think it likely that I shall invite them--it would be good for you to have companions of your own class once more. But it will mean a great deal of extra work, and unless I can get someone to help me, I do not see how I can manage it." "Mother, I'll help, and Katy and Gertie won't mind washing dishes." "Now, little daughter, we will let the matter rest for a day or two. Don't you want to hear about Alice's wedding?" "Read it aloud, Mother Morton." It was Marian speaking. She was standing in the door with Jilly fresh and rosey from a long nap. Mrs. Morton looked up. "Jilly doesn't seem any the worse for her bump this morning, does she?" "No, that's the blessed thing about children, they get over things so easily. By the way, Father, Frank told me to tell you that he had taken Ernest with him over to the Captain's after a load of hay. They'll probably have supper there and be late getting home--that is if Captain Clarke asks them to stay--he is such a queer old duck." "He doesn't seem very neighborly, according to reports. I've found him pleasant the few times I have met him," said Dr. Morton, "but let's have Alice's letter." Mrs. Morton adjusted her spectacles and began to read. "Dear, Dear Mrs. Morton: