"Nothing like that, Neale O'Neil," interrupted Agnes quickly. "You would better sing pretty small, young man. Remember you are outnumbered." "Yes," said Tess sedately, "you haven't even Sammy here now to take your part, you know, Neale." "True for you, Tessie," agreed Neale. "I am in an infinitesimal minority." Dot's eyes opened wide as these long words sounded from the boy's lips, and she gulped just as though she were swallowing them down for digestion. Agnes' eyes twinkled as she asked the smallest girl: "Did you get those two, honey?" "Don't make fun of her," admonished Ruth, aside. "Well," sighed Dot, soberly, "I do hope I'll get into big words in the reading book this next term. I love 'em. Why! Tess is awfully far ahead of me; she can spell words in four cylinders!" And that closed the evening meal with a round of laughter that Dot did not understand. CHAPTER V THE SHEPARDS "Just think!" Agnes said to Ruth. "For the first time since we came to live at the old Corner House and call it our owniest own, we are going to have real visitors. Oh, dear, me, Ruth, I wish we could have week-end parties, and dances, and all sorts of society things. I do!" "Mercy, Agnes! And you with your hair in plaits?" "Whose fault is that, I'd like to know," responded the beauty a bit sharply. "I'm the only girl in my set who doesn't put her hair up. Myra Stetson has worn hers up for a year--" "She keeps house for her father and has not attended school for six months," Ruth reminded her. "Well, Eva Larry puts hers up when her mother has company. And Pearl Howard--" "Never mind the catalog of your friends, dear," put in Ruth, quietly. "We know you are a much abused little girl. But your hair in plaits you'd better wear for a while yet. "As for week-end parties and the like, I will speak to Mr. Howbridge and perhaps we can give some parties this winter." "With the kids in them!" grumbled Agnes. "I want real grown-up parties." "Let us wait till we are really grown up for them," and the elder sister laughed. "Goodness! you are grown up enough, Ruth Kenway," Agnes declared. "You might be married at your age. Mrs. Mac says she was." "Hush!" exclaimed Ruth, almost shocked by such a suggestion. "You do get the most peculiar ideas in your head, Aggie." "There's nothing peculiar about marrying," said the other girl saucily. "I'm sure everybody's 'doing it.' It's quite the proper thing. You know, as the smallest member of the catechism class replied to the question: 'What is the chief end of woman?' 'Marriage!' And 'tis, too," concluded the positive Agnes. "Do talk sensibly. But to return. Cecile and her brother visiting us is really the first time we'll have entertained guests--save Mrs. Treble and--"