However, to Mr. Maynard's surprise, Mrs. Moss consented to let Molly go, and as a neighbor was going on the early morning train, and could look after her, the matter was easily arranged. Marjorie was in transports of glee. "I'm truly sorry, Mother," she said, "that you can't have your own company, but, as you can't, I'm so glad Molly is coming. Now, that fixes to-morrow, but what can we do to-day to have fun?" "I think it's King's turn," said Mr. Maynard. "Let him invite somebody to dine with us to-night." "That's easy," said Kingdon. "I choose Dick and Gladys. We can telephone for them right away." "They don't seem much like company," said Marjorie, "but I'd rather have them than anybody else I know of." "Then it's all right," said Mrs. Maynard, "and, as they're not formal company, you'd better all change those partified clothes for something you can romp about in." "Yes, let's do that," said Kitty. "I can't have fun in dress-up things." And so it was an informal lot of children who gathered about the dinner-table, instead of the guests who had been expected. But Mr. Maynard exerted himself quite as much to be entertaining as if he had had grown-up companions, and the party was a merry one indeed. After dinner the young people were sent to the playroom, as the elders were expecting callers. "Tell me about Molly Moss," said Gladys to Marjorie. "What sort of a girl is she?" "Crazy," said Marjorie, promptly. "You never knew anybody, Glad, who could get up such plays and games as she does. And she gets into terrible mischief, too. She's going to stay several days, and we'll have lots of fun while she's here. At Grandma's last summer, we played together nearly all the time. You'll like her, I know. And she'll like _you_, of course. We'll all have fun together." Gladys was somewhat reassured, but she had a touch of jealousy in her nature, and, as she was really Marjorie's most intimate friend, she resented a little bit the coming of this stranger. "She sounds fine," was Dick's comment, as he heard about Molly. "We'll give her the time of her life. Can she skate, Mops?" "Oh, I guess so. I only knew her last summer, but I'm sure she can do anything." When Molly arrived the next morning, she flew into the house like a small and well-wrapped-up cyclone. She threw her muff in one direction, and her gloves in another, and made a mad dash for Marjorie. Then, remembering her manners, she spoke politely to Mrs. Maynard. "How do you do?" she said; "it was very kind of you to invite me here, and I hope you won't make me any trouble. There! Mother told me to say that, and I've been studying it all the way, for fear I'd forget it." Mrs. Maynard smiled, for Molly was entirely unaware of the mistake she had made in her mother's message, and the other children had not noticed it, either. "We're glad to have you with us, my dear," Mrs. Maynard replied; "and I hope you'll enjoy yourself and have a real good time."