They were preparing, as might easily be guessed, for the "private performance" promised by Mr. Sanders. Nancy had talked with him over the phone, after his visit to the class that morning, and arrangements were then made to invite the Townsends over, besides permission having been granted Ted to bring in his chum, Buster Clayton. Just now Ted was upstairs dressing; also singing and telling stories to Nero, most of which racket could be heard down in the store. Mrs. Brandon's cheeks became soft as damask when Nancy showed her the big check for one hundred dollars, which Nancy explained was in no sense a gift, but purely part of a business transaction between her and Mr. Ashley's real-estate office. The mother did not try to hide her delight, that Nancy should have become such "a splendid little business woman," and she predicted her own retirement from the office at an early date, if such wonderful achievements were to be kept up. "And your bank account, my dear," she told Nancy when they were in confidence over the developments, "aren't you proud of it?" "A little, Mother-mine," faltered the happy girl, "but there's something better than that," she said shyly, for Nancy was not given to boasting. "I know," and the mother arms went around her. "Besides, you know now that even despised housework is not so bad when it has an interesting motive. That's why we mothers tolerate it; because we are working for our darling children." "I know, Mums, but I really only thought 'dishes' before, now I think--" "The joy of helping _us_," Mrs. Brandon supplied. "And I'm so proud of your cooking, and how much it has benefited Miss Manners, as well as your friends. Why, my dear, I would make you vain were I to tell you one-half of what I hear--" "Not vain, Mums. I'm not silly enough for that, for I've got to admit I've been rather selfish all the way through--it has been such a lot of fun." And Nancy meant it. She was not posing, nor was she playing at being humble, for her mind was of that quality that reasons and analyzes one's own motives as well as looking for motives in others. In that way she had acquired what is called "common sense," perhaps because every one should try, at least, to possess a measure of it. Now Mrs. Brandon, as well as Ted, was dressing. To please Nancy she had promised to wear her geranium georgette, a soft dress that toned so well with her dark hair and dark eyes, for Mrs. Brandon was still young, and a handsome woman. And the girls were fairly dancing around the store, arranging chairs brought in from the porch, dining room and even from the kitchen. "Let's make a little platform for Mr. Sanders," Ruth proposed. "This top step of the back stairs will do. We don't have to open that door." "And have a stand and a glass of water--" Isabel added. "And flowers," insisted Nancy. "I must have flowers, they're so silly for a man's speech, they'll make every body laugh."