"Oh, ask yourself, Polly, you've been mooning around all day looking like 'Gottschalk's Last Hope.' One speaks to you, and you never hear what's said. The very house could burn down but you'd never know it. You'd roast without feeling any sensation in it!" declared Eleanor, impatiently. Nancy laughed at both girls. After dinner, while the girls were dressing to go to Mr. Dalken's, Eleanor went to Polly's room to be hooked up. When she saw Polly arrayed in one of her most fetching Paris dresses she stood and stared. "Why! we're not going to the Opera!" said she. "We're going to Mr. Dalken's, aren't we?" asked Polly. "Yes, but Jack won't be there--nor Tom, either," was Eleanor's smooth reply. "I hadn't thought of who might be there, I dressed for my old friend, Mr. Dalken. He is so correct in these matters, so I want to do justice to his friendship," Polly scored this time. Eleanor did not wait to be hooked up but rushed back to her own room, and when Polly met her again, down in the hall, she had changed her gown, also, and looked very attractive, indeed. Because of the delay occasioned by Eleanor, the Fabian party was late in reaching Mr. Dalken's. The other guests were already there, and to Polly's intense gratification, not only was Jack assisting the host for the evening, but Tom sat in one corner of the large living room, looking at a book of snap-shots taken by Mr. Dalken while out in the Rockies. So engrossed was Tom in the pictures, that he did not lift his head when new-comers were welcomed. Polly glanced over at the corner and finding Tom so interested in mountain charms, while female charms abounded so near him, she felt peeved and smiled radiantly on Jack. Eleanor saw, and determined that she would not permit matters to go astray again, as she had taken such trouble to get Mr. Dalken to plan this impromptu gathering just to give Polly the opportunity to see both suitors together--to the advancement of one or the other's interest. Eleanor had no doubt that it would be Tom's advancement. So she flirted outrageously with Jack, to the amusement of Mr. Dalken who understood how matters were with all the young people. Thus Eleanor was cozily cornered with Jack in the den, doing her utmost to make him forget Polly for the time being, when the Jap came to the living-room door and announced a new caller. CHAPTER XIV NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS Eleanor was not to be seen when a young man came in the room and was joyously welcomed by everyone present. Tom Latimer had disappeared also, a short time before this, and Polly was sitting in the wide seat built in the window, staring out over the roofs of the buildings without seeing a thing. The delighted exclamations from those in the room, however, drew her attention, and she was rejoiced to see Paul Stewart shaking hands with those crowding about him. So Polly left her shadowy retreat and ran over to welcome him, too.