"Hush, don't make a stir; nobody thinks of moving yet, and it is not even supper-time. You must have some supper." "I must not keep the carriage. Please, dear Clara, let me go." "Well then, if you wish it, just slip out by this door; I will bid mamma good-night for you; it will never do to make a commotion. Good-night; you will not mind my not coming up with you, because I am engaged for this dance." So Ada whispered a good-bye to Miss Dean, and soon found herself stepping into the carriage. What was her surprise to find her father seated in it. "Oh, dear papa, how kind of you!" she exclaimed. "I had to be out, dear, and I came round for you myself." "Is it very late?" asked Ada. "No; about eleven. Have you had a pleasant evening?" Ada burst into tears; and then, laying her head on her father's shoulder, she said: "Oh, papa, I have been so wretched and so stupid." "What has happened, dear?" "Nothing at all, papa; and that is the very vexation. It was a dancing party, and I was not well enough dressed, and so Clara rather slighted me, and I thought she left me to myself, and it was very uncomfortable." "It certainly was unkind if she forsook you for such a reason," said Dr. Arundel indignantly; "but how came you to make a friend who could serve you so, Ada?" "I didn't know," faltered Ada. "Had you any idea it was to be such a party?" "Not the least, papa." Dr. Arundel was silent for some minutes, and then he said, "It is very important what friends we make, dear. A good friend or a bad friend may influence our whole lives. Did you ever ask God about her, Ada?" "I don't think I ever did, papa," she answered sorrowfully. "What made you like her at first?" "She was always so pleasant and gay, and I do like fun, you know, papa; and she used to tell us about her picnics and parties, and as she liked me, I was rather—you know what I mean, papa—rather proud to be singled out by her." "I know it all, dear," he answered tenderly. Ada nestled closer to him. "Dear papa, I feel that I have been so thoughtless and wrong, and I know it is my own fault that has brought me into this trouble." "Poor little Ada!" "I know, papa, Clara did not mean beforehand to be unkind; but I can't help thinking that she knew you would not have liked me to go to such a party." "Very likely, dear; and here we are at home. But one word, dear Ada. I am not sorry this has happened before you got entangled more. Such a friend might have led you into very serious trouble. I thank God we have discovered it thus soon." They got out, and Ada found her mamma had already gone upstairs, so she only gave her a kiss at her door, and went up to her own room at the top of the house.