It was the work of but a few seconds for Nancy to draw on the light blue hose, and even less time to put on the pretty slippers. She ran to the mirror, and courtesied, took a few tripping steps, smiling at her reflection, and then hastened to the hall to join Dorothy. [Illustration: SHE TOOK A FEW TRIPPING STEPS, SMILING AT HER REFLECTION.--_Page 176._] "All ready," cried Nancy, springing to her feet, to follow Dorothy. A pretty pair they made as with arms about each other's waist, they tripped along the hall. Fair, blue-eyed Dorothy Dainty was very lovely in a pale pink frock with soft frillings of fine lace. Her stockings were of the same shade, and her shoes were white. Mrs. Dainty in dark blue satin, and Aunt Charlotte in pearl color made, with the two children, a pleasing group. In the lower hall they met Mrs. Paxton with Floretta, the former wearing a gown of purple satin, while Floretta wore a frock of scarlet silk. Mrs. Fenton, passing, on her way to the dining-room, looked sharply at the two groups, and _did_ she look amused when her eyes rested upon Mrs. Paxton, and her small daughter? Dorothy noticed the look, and turned to her mamma. Mrs. Dainty read the question in Dorothy's eyes, and ever so slightly, shook her head, and they passed into the dining-room. * * * * * The next morning, when the mail was distributed, there was great excitement, because every one had so many letters. "See mine!" cried Flossie Barnet. "Everybody see mine! It looks like boy's writing. See it!" "If some very young man wrote it, he might not be delighted to have it so freely exhibited, Flossie," said Uncle Harry, with a laugh. "Oh, why should he care?" she asked in surprise. "Who do you s'pose wrote it? Guess, Uncle Harry!" "Well, now let me think," said Uncle Harry, covering his eyes with his hand, then peeping through his fingers. "There's a small boy at home, who glories in the name of Reginald Merton Deane. Open the letter, dear, and if I guessed right, you can give me a prize, and if I'm wrong, I'll give you one." Flossie studied the address for a moment, then she opened the letter, and laughed with delight. "I'll have to give you the prize, but why did he think to write to me?" Dear little Flossie had never seemed aware that small Reginald preferred her to any of his friends. Even when she was so little that she could not pronounce his name, and called him "Weginald," he thought her the dearest of all his playmates. And this was his letter: "DEAR FLOSSIE: "I miss you so much that I'm going to write, and tell you all the news.