But when Patty reached the dining-room the scene was appalling. In the hurry, nobody had found time to clear away the luncheon dishes, and the extension table must be made longer and really there was an hour's work there for somebody. Patty called Bob to help her, as everybody else was so busy, and the good-natured boy left what he was doing and came to his cousin's assistance. It was six o'clock before everything was in readiness and the family gathered on the veranda to rest themselves and await their guests. "Seems to me they're getting pretty fashionable," said Bob; "it's an hour after the time set, and nobody's here yet." "Well, it's a warm day," said Aunt Grace, fanning herself, "and nobody likes to start out early in the afternoon." But after another half-hour passed and still nobody came, they all began to think it rather queer. "Perhaps they've boycotted us," said Uncle Ted, "and don't mean to come at all." "I should think the Perrys would be here by this time," said Nan. "I meant to speak to them about it yesterday, and ask them to be sure to come early, but I forgot it." "Did we invite the Harlands?" said Bob. "I can't think whether we did or not," said Bumble. "I know we were undecided about them. But we asked the Graysons, and here they come now." "Well, I'm glad somebody's coming," said Nan; "but, no,--they aren't turning in, they're driving by!" "Sure enough," said Bob; "mean old things,--if they couldn't come, they might at least have sent regrets." "Here are the Stanton girls, anyway," said Patty, as two young ladies came walking towards them. Elsie and Mildred Stanton came up to the group on the veranda with a slightly embarrassed air. "Good-evening," said Mildred; "you look as if you were going to have a lawn-party." "Why, we are," said Bumble, "if anybody comes to it. I'm glad you've arrived, anyway, Come in." "But,--we weren't invited," said Elsie, a little stiffly. "We came over on an errand." "Indeed you were invited," said Bumble, warmly. "Do you suppose I'd leave you out, my dearest chums? But really, didn't you get an invitation? How funny! They were sent out on Tuesday." "No," said Elsie, "but if it was a mistake, and you meant to invite us, it's all right. But we didn't know it, you see, so we're not in party frocks. As nobody else is here yet, I think we'll run home and dress up a bit, and then come back again." "All right," said Bumble, knowing her guests would feel more comfortable if suitably dressed,--and they lived near by. "Skip along, girls, and hurry back." After they had gone it was nearly seven o'clock, and nobody else appeared. Great consternation was felt by all, and suddenly Patty said, "Who mailed those invitations?" "Bumble did," said Bob. "No, I didn't," said Bumble, "I thought you attended to it. Why, Bob, I asked you particularly to look after them." "I didn't hear you," said Bob; "do you suppose--"