“I think we’d better go a little farther,” she said. “It’s pretty early to disturb people; they might not like it.” “But ladies are more apt to be at home early in the morning,” urged Molly, who was anxious to have the adventure begin. “Besides, it’s getting hot, and we’re all thirsty. What are you going to do about a reference? I’ve heard Grandma say she would never engage a girl who didn’t have a good reference.” Dulcie looked a little startled. She had not thought of the necessity of references. But just then Maud put in an anxious question. “Suppose nobody wants us, and night comes, where are we going to sleep?” “Don’t talk about night when it’s only just about breakfast time,” reproved Molly. “We’ll be sure to find a place long before dinner-time, and I don’t believe, when the people know who we are, they’ll make us eat in the kitchen. I think we shall be kind of lady helps, like Phœbe in ‘Eight Cousins.’ Phœbe did the cooking, but she had lovely times, too, don’t you remember?” “But Dulcie says we mustn’t let people know our real names,” Maud reminded her, “so I don’t see how they can find out who we are.” “Well, it’s going to be fun, anyhow,” maintained Molly, cheerfully. “I wouldn’t go home again for anything, after coming so far, and spending all that money, would you, Dulcie?” “Of course not,” said Dulcie, “and I suppose, after all, we might as well begin with this house as any other. But you mustn’t be disappointed if we have to try a good many places before we find any one who wants us. And--and there’s another thing; I don’t believe we’d better all go in together. They might get discouraged if they saw there were so many of us.” “But they’ll have to know as soon as they engage us,” objected Daisy. “Of course they will, but they needn’t find out the very first minute. I think the best way will be for you and me to go first, and then, if the people seem kind, and want us to stay, we can explain about the others. Molly and Maud can wait for us right here, under that big tree. We won’t be gone long.” Daisy still looked very doubtful, and Maud began to object to being left behind, but Dulcie was firm, and Molly also proved equal to the occasion. So the question was settled, and the two younger children comfortably ensconced under a big apple-tree, while Dulcie and Daisy walked up the wide gravelled path to the house. It was not a large house, but a very pretty one. There was a lawn, with flower beds in front, and the children caught glimpses of a stable and other outbuildings in the rear. There was no one to be seen, but as they approached the house, the sound of a piano could be distinctly heard. “Somebody’s practising exercises,” whispered Dulcie. “Perhaps it’s the lady of the house.” “There’s a doll’s carriage on the piazza,” said Daisy, “so there must be a little girl.”