There was an awkward pause, broken by Professor Thorpe. "We ought to be starting, I think. The Ark, while willing, has its little weaknesses, and it would not do for my guests to arrive and find neither host nor guests of honor present." "Wait a moment," said Kate. "I, too, have presentations to make." She produced two white velvet boxes bearing the name of a famous New York jeweler. "Oh, what pretty little pinky-white beads!" cried Jacqueline, clasping hers about her throat and prancing to a mirror to observe the effect. Jemima examined hers, and then looked quickly at her mother. "Are they pearls?" she asked. "Yes," said Kate. "Small ones, but a good investment, I think. Some day when you're older, girlies, perhaps you'll like to remember that your mother earned the money that bought them." She spoke to both of them, but it was to Jemima that her unconscious plea was made. The older girl hesitated. Then she murmured, "Thank you, Mother. They are beautiful," and fastened them about her throat. Kate gave a little sigh of relief, echoed by James Thorpe. Both had feared for a moment that she would refuse her mother's gift as she had refused Philip's. "Come, come," said Professor Thorpe, "we really must start. Two hours' drive before us!" Jacqueline clung to her mother. "Oh, if you were only coming too, Mummy! If you only were! Just say the word, and I won't go. Why, you'll be here alone, Mummy, darling, alone all night! You'll miss us _dreadfully_. What do I care about beaux and balls. I'd rather be with you than with any one else in the world--_Almost_ any one else," she added honestly, flushing. Kate laughed, and pushed her away. "Mag is looking daggers at us. We mustn't crumple that finery any more, precious.--Remember not to talk at the top of your lungs.--Have you got a pocket-handkerchief?" She followed them out to the waiting automobile, smiling; but Philip noticed that her lips moved now and then silently, and he suspected that she was praying. He was right. It was the first time in their lives that her children had gone out of her own protection. Mag shrouded them in long dust garments, tucked the robes about them solicitously, having first wrapped each white-slippered foot in tissue paper. The passionate interest of the girl in the pleasures of these other girls, pleasures she could never hope to share, struck two at least of the onlookers as a rather piteous thing. "Good-by, good-by!" Jacqueline leaned out to throw last kisses impartially. "How I wish you were coming too, Mag and Mummy and Phil, you dears! I'll remember everything to tell you, compliments, and all, and dresses especially, Mag. I'll bring home all the goodies I can stuff into my pockets, too--oh, dear, there aren't any pockets to a ball dress! Never mind--I'll put 'em in Goddy's pockets. Good-by! When next you see us, we'll be real young ladies."