"If we’ve anything to wear!" supplied Ross, and began to whistle gaily. "_Oh, ye shall walk in silk attire_," breaking off to glance at the clock and start hastily for the door, with Peter and Rufus after him. Jane turned to Mrs. Bell, who, sitting quietly in her place at the head of the table, was regarding her young daughter as if she understood all the doubts which had instantly risen in the girl’s mind. "I think we can manage it, dear," she said, "if the party dress does n’t have to match the invitation." Jane’s face grew flushed again. "I can wear anything, mother, if I have some fresh ribbons. But Peter----" "Yes--Peter--" agreed Mrs. Bell. She rose and came round to Jane. "Peter shall have a new cravat," said she, and smiled into Jane’s eyes. Jane smiled back. Each knew that the other was thinking of Peter’s best black suit--in which he went to church on Sundays. Each knew that the Townsend sons would wear evening clothes. "Yes, with a new cravat Petey will be all right," said Jane. "Dear boy, he was pleased, was n’t he? And it _is_ nice of her to ask us!" CHAPTER V WITHOUT GLOVES "O Jane, the big porch is all shut in with white stuff, and there’s a striped awning where the carriages stop, just as if it was a great grown-up party or a wedding. And I saw them carrying in loads of palms and things. Oh, are n’t you excited to be going?" This was Nancy Bell, flying into the front room upstairs, where Mrs. Bell and Jane were putting the finishing touches to Jane’s frock, to be worn that evening. "Awfully excited, darling," admitted Jane, smiling at the eager little sister. "Oh, how pretty that is!" Nancy clasped her hands in ecstasy over the dainty ruffled skirt, with its tiny yellow flowers scattered over a white ground. Then she caught up the long sash belt of primrose-yellow ribbon, its graceful rosettes and flowing ends promising an effective finish to the simple toilet. "You ’ll be the prettiest girl at the party!" she declared, joyously. Mrs. Bell and Jane laughed across at each other. "In a ten-cent dimity," their eyes said, with congratulations, "reduced from eighteen!" "My ribbon is what rejoices my soul," said Jane, touching the soft silk. "That was a bargain we just happened on--the price cut in two because of a few soiled places. We simply did n’t use those at all, and there were enough long lengths to make the streamers. It’s such a beautiful quality it makes the whole dress look finer than it is." "How can you ever wait till evening?" sighed Nancy. "O Jane, Shirley wants me to hide in the shrubbery over there by the hedge, and she’s going to slip out with some ice-cream and cake for me!" Mrs. Bell’s eyes and Jane’s met again with a smile. Jane’s eyebrows went up in interrogation. Mrs. Bell nodded. "I think Nancy may have that much of the party," she said.