"I've frightened four girls almost into spasms," said she. "You see, Grannie, I told them that they'd _have_ to call formally if they wanted me to visit them. When they came you were out, so I took them upstairs, gave them things to eat and a jolly good time, generally. Then, just for a joke, I had Greta tell me when you were coming and I led them carefully down the back way, made them go round the block and do it all over again, cards and all. You see, Grannie, they don't know you. They haven't seen anything but your husk; and I had them scared blue; didn't I, girls?" "Midge, you shouldn't have done it," reproved Mrs. Slater, whose black eyes, however, were sparkling with only half-suppressed merriment. "That wasn't quite a courteous way to treat your guests!" "Forgive me," pleaded Henrietta, flopping down on her knees and looking the very picture of penitence. "Walk on me, Jean. Wipe your shoes on me, Bettie. I grovel at your feet--at _every_body's feet." "Don't grovel too hard in that dress," warned Mrs. Slater. "Am I forgiven?" implored Henrietta, gathering up her ruffles with elaborate care. The girls were not certain. Their pride had been injured and they eyed Henrietta doubtfully. "When you've known Midge as long as I have," said Mrs. Slater, "you'll discover that she is really too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. But you'll also discover that she never misses an opportunity to play pranks on every soul she loves. It's a symbol of her favor. She will never tell you an untruth, she is too honorable to practise downright deceit; but depend on it, girls, she will fool you until you won't believe your own ears. And she's always sorry, afterwards. She spends half her time apologizing." "Ah, _do_ forgive," pleaded extravagant Henrietta, suddenly extending imploring hands. "I mean it, truly. It _wasn't_ nice of me." Jean, stooping suddenly, kissed the upturned lips. "Why!" exclaimed Jean, genuinely surprised, "I didn't know I was going to do that." "She gets around everybody," said Mrs. Slater, "and the worst of it is she's so good and so naughty that you'll never know whether you like her or not." "Why, Grannie!" exclaimed Henrietta, "don't _you_ know?" "I know that I like you," said the old lady, smiling fondly at pretty, whimsical Henrietta, "but you know very well that I also regard you with strong disapproval. I consider you a very faulty young person." "You're a dear Grannie," breathed Henrietta, kissing the old lady's delicate hand, "but I'm quite sure you're spoiling me; isn't she, Bettie?" "Were you like Henrietta," queried Jean, "when you were young?" "My dear, you've found me out," laughed Mrs. Slater. "I was just such a piece of impishness; but my father was very severe, and I think I began earlier to restrain my prankishness. Midge, unfortunately, has a lenient father and a doting grandmother. Between them she is having pretty much her own way."