But Fred's sentence was destined to remain unfinished, for just then the sextette came in sight of Dolly's home, and Dolly spied in the doorway the person whom she most loved on earth. With one spring she vanished up the walk and darted into her mother's arms. It was all a merry hubbub for a time. Dolly's mother seemed to Beth just an older and more mature type of Dolly herself. Dolly's father was there, too, and the greeting given the two strange girls was cordial enough to make them feel at home and to dispel all restraint. "You boys must try to amuse yourselves without us for a little while," said Mrs. Alden, her arm still around Dolly. "I am going to take the girls upstairs now, and by the time we come down, dinner will be served." "Your old room is ready for you, Dolly, just as you left it; I have put your friends in the two little rooms across the hall. I supposed that you would want to be near each other." "You are correct, as usual, Motherdie. Come in and help me dress now. You always used to put the finishing touches on for me, you know. Leave your doors open, girls, so that we can talk to one another." "I like your friends," Dolly's mother said quietly, when the two found themselves alone later. "Miss Newby doesn't look very happy, and there is an expression on her face that I do not like to see on so young a girl. I think that Miss Sutherland has latent possibilities about her." "Yes, and they are almost all latent as yet, but you can help to bring them out, I know. By the way, Mother, I want to brighten her up a bit. She must make a good impression on the boys this first night. Have you any rose-colored ribbons? Just put them on her, won't you? There's a dear. She cannot tie a bow any more than a sparrow can." "You do not need me any more?" "No, thanks. Oh, it is so blessed to be home, Mother. I'm going to your room at bedtime for a long talk. Will I do?" "Very well," and Mrs. Alden looked with pardonable pride on the tall, graceful figure of her daughter, straight as an arrow; the fair, happy face, sunny and sweet, the light curling hair, the dainty white dress and the knots of blue ribbon scattered over it, made a picture of which any mother might well feel proud. When Dolly went into Mary's room, she stopped in genuine surprise. "How pretty you do look, Mary. I am proud of you." And yet "pretty" was hardly the correct adjective to apply to her room-mate. Mary's face was fine, and now that she was dressed with some taste, the possibilities of future beauty became apparent. But it was by no means a handsome face, though it might become so in later years. Beth came in trailing a white cashmere behind her. Dolly laughed mischievously. "Beth thinks that she can add several inches to her height by wearing long dresses. She does it on every possible occasion." Beth retorted merrily, and the four went downstairs, where they found the three boys as well as Dolly's father awaiting them rather impatiently.