“Yes, they are pretty names,” Barbara Muriel answered, with some pride. “But Delia is rather a nice name, too,” she added, politely. “I think it’s about the ugliest name I ever heard,” said Dulcie. “I can’t think what made me choose it.” Barbara looked rather puzzled. “I didn’t know people ever chose their own names,” she said. “Are you Baptists?” “Oh, no,” said Dulcie, blushing; “we are Episcopalians. What made you think we were Baptists?” “Because Hannah said Baptists weren’t baptized till they were grown up, and I thought perhaps they chose their own names, instead of having them given to them, when they were babies.” Dulcie was beginning to feel rather uncomfortable, but fortunately, at that moment, Daisy came to her rescue. “Hark!” she exclaimed, eagerly; “I think I hear a carriage. Perhaps it’s Barbara’s mother.” Barbara ran to look, and returned in a moment with the joyful intelligence that it was Mamma coming home. “She’s just driving round to the front door,” she said. “I’ll run ahead, and tell her about you.” And away she flew, followed more slowly by her two companions. “I--I feel just like running away,” faltered Daisy. “Oh, Dulcie, let’s go. It all seems so very--queer.” “We can’t run away now,” said Dulcie, and her tone was decided, though her teeth were beginning to chatter. “It wouldn’t be polite, and besides, I think perhaps Barbara’s mother may understand, and be kind to us.” CHAPTER XVII STEPMOTHERS As the children approached the house they saw that a pony phaeton was standing by the front steps, out of which a lady had just alighted. She was speaking to the groom, who had run up from the stable to take the horse, but at the sound of Barbara’s voice she turned to greet her little daughter, and even at that first glimpse Dulcie and Daisy could see that she had a very sweet face. “Mamma,” cried Barbara, reaching her mother’s side in a rather breathless condition, “here are two little girls who want to see you. Their names are Delia and Margaret Smith. The biggest one is Delia; she chose her name herself, and the littlest one is Margaret.” Mrs. Thorne greeted the visitors very kindly. “I am glad Barbara has found some little friends,” she said. “Suppose we all come into the house. It is rather warm, and I would like to take off my hat before doing anything else.” [Illustration: “WE’RE--WE’RE LOOKING FOR A SITUATION.”--_Page 259._] Her voice was so kind and cordial, and her smile so pleasant, that Dulcie and Daisy were both conscious of a sensation of decided relief. Still, the situation remained an embarrassing one, for it was quite evident that Mrs. Thorne supposed them to be some little neighbors come to make a morning call. However, there was nothing to be done but to follow Barbara and her mother into the house, and then they found themselves in a cool, flower-scented room, and Mrs. Thorne was saying in her bright, friendly voice: