"Oh, so that is it. Well, don't cry, child. Take it back to Katie, and tell her to keep the door shut." "She's hungry," said Clematis, drying her eyes on her sleeve. "Well, ask Katie to feed her then, and come right back to the table." CHAPTER III THE FIRST NIGHT Supper was soon finished, with many giggles from the little girls, who hoped that Deborah would get in again. Clematis ate every crumb of her bread and cookie. Her yellow bowl looked as if Deborah had lapped it dry. "After supper, we play games. It's great fun," said Sally, as they were folding their bibs. The bell rang, and the long line of children formed once more. They marched out through the long hall, up the broad stairs to the play room. There were little tables, with low chairs to match. Some of the tables held games. In one corner of the room was a great doll house, that a rich lady had given to the Home. In another corner was a small wooden swing with two seats. A rocking horse stood near the window, and a box of bean bags lay on a low shelf near by. Soon all were playing happily, except Clematis, who stood near the window. She was looking at the trees, which were sending out red buds. The sun had set, and the sky was rosy with the last light of day. "Don't you want to play?" asked Miss Rose, coming across the room. Clematis shook her head. "What would you like to do, dear?" Clematis thought a moment. "I should like to help Katie in the kitchen. She must need some little girl." Miss Rose smiled. "If Clematis can get down into the kitchen, she can see her kitten," she thought. "She is a sly little puss herself." "I don't think you could go down tonight, but if you are a good girl I am sure Katie will want you to help her before long." Clematis smiled. "Come now, and I will ask Jane to show you the doll house." So the little girls took Clematis over to the doll house that stood in the corner. Jane opened the front door, so they could look in and see four pretty rooms. Lace curtains hung at the tiny windows. New rugs were on the floors. There was a tiny kitchen, with a tiny stove and tiny kettles, all just like your own house. It was enough to make any girl happy. It was so much fun that Clematis forgot to be sad, and was not ready to leave the doll house when the bell rang once more. It was bedtime. "That is the sleepy bell," said Jane, closing the door to the doll house, and running toward the stairs. Clematis was at the end of the row, as the girls went out of the playroom, and Miss Rose spoke as she passed through the door. "I will show you where you are to sleep, my dear. You go with the other children, and I'll come in a few minutes." Clematis followed the other children up the stairs to the sleeping rooms. Miss Rose soon came, and together they went to the room at the end of the hall. How sweet that room looked to the tired little stranger!