"He'll never grow old," said Anne, as she watched Hippy's ridiculous performance. "Neither will the rest of the Eight Originals," reminded Grace loyally. "Remember, we have a Fairy Godmother who has taught us the secret of perpetual youth." "What's the secret?" asked David innocently. He was fond of hearing Grace's enthusiastic views of things. "Never lose one's grip on life," she answered simply. And as the Eight Originals strolled home through the radiant sunset, in each young soul stirred the resolve to take a firm grip on life and keep eternally young at heart, no matter what the years might bring forth. CHAPTER VI JESSICA'S WEDDING "Jessica Bright, you will never look prettier in your life than you do to-night!" exclaimed Grace Harlowe, as she stood off a little from her friend and gazed at her with loving eyes. A wave of color dyed Jessica's pale cheeks. "I'm so glad that you think so," she breathed. "Do you know, girls, I have always hoped that I'd look nicer on my wedding day than at any other time. I'm glad I decided to have a green and white wedding, too." "You always used to say that you were going to have a pink rose wedding," reminded Anne. "What made you change your mind?" "Promise you won't laugh and I'll tell you," said Jessica solemnly. It was the evening of Jessica's wedding and Mabel Allison, Anne Pierson, Miriam Nesbit, Eleanor Savelli, Nora, now Mrs. Hippy Wingate, and Grace gathered about their friend with voluble promises of eternal secrecy. They were in Jessica's room saying good-bye to Jessica Bright, so soon to become Jessica Brooks. "I changed my mind," informed Jessica impressively, "on account of Reddy's hair." "'On account of Reddy's hair,'" repeated Grace. "Why--" Then, catching Nora's eye, she laughed. "You know how dreadfully pink and red clash," Jessica went on, with a faint giggle, "but I had never thought of it until one night when Reddy was sitting on our porch. He wrapped my pink scarf around his neck just for fun, and I made up my mind then and there not to have a pink wedding. Finally, I chose green and white, and I'm glad now, because he will look so much nicer." "I think that was very sweet in you, Jessica," said Eleanor Savelli decidedly. "Some of us ought to tell Reddy of Jessica's thoughtfulness," teased Anne. "Just as though any of you would," replied Jessica, fondly surveying the smiling faces of her friends. "You are very sure of us, aren't you, Jessica?" said Grace gayly.