Rosalie went directly to the telephone. "Well, now is the-- Oh, Doris, not this week. We are going to stay all night at Adele's you know, and make taffy." "I am sorry," said Doris gently. Rosalie soberly searched her sister's face a moment, then without comment, called the number, and asked for Alicia. She gave the invitation in a friendly cordial voice, showing no hint of perturbation or coercion, and after a moment's pause, Alicia accepted. "But whatever in the world we are going to do with that solemn Alicia Gordon for eighteen hours, I do not know. You'll have to do most of the talking, Doris." "Oh, no, indeed; she is your guest. We put her in your hands absolutely and you alone will be responsible for her comfort." "But, General--" "If she is my company, you won't get much punishment out of it, will you?" Rosalie sighed heavily. "Eighteen hours--she will come right from work--that means luncheon. Oh, Doris, you do not know what a blow she is. And a nice enough girl, too--but whatever can we talk about for eighteen hours?" Doris had no suggestions forthcoming, and to make the affliction greater, on Saturday she made unexpected arrangements to drive to the country with her father. "And you can get lunch for yourself and the girls, can't you, Rosalie dear?" "But Alicia Gordon--" "Oh, she won't mind. I'll be home in time to have a nice dinner for you. Bye, Rosalie; good luck." Alicia arrived from her work almost as soon as Rosalie came in from a business meeting of the Literary Society, and a heated discussion of menus was immediately in progress. "You must help us, Alicia. We are trying to get up a fashionable company luncheon in your honor, and we can't think of anything fashionable that I have brains enough to cook." Zee watched closely, but Alicia never so much as smiled, though any one might know Rosalie had meant to be funny. "Let's not be fashionable," she said evenly. "Let's figure out what is easiest to prepare, and have it." "Wouldn't be proper," insisted Rosalie. "Doris always wants us to be proper when we have company." "French fried potatoes are fashionable," said Zee. "Too much work." "Corn fritters are nice," said Treasure. "I do not like corn," said Alicia. They looked at one another soberly. "I tell you what," said Rosalie at last. "Let's go to the pantry and see what we can find." The four ran pell-mell to the pantry, and looked over the shelves hastily, but with thoroughness. "A custard pie, thank goodness," said Rosalie. "That settles the dessert." "I am going to have this apple sauce and bread and butter," said Treasure suddenly. "You folks can get what you like." "Oh, I'm going to have toast and milk," cried Zee. "I'll toast it myself--and--" "I'd like a fried egg sandwich," said Alicia, "if you do not mind. And I want to fix it myself. I just love them, and mother never has time to make them for our big family."