"Certainly. He had me to lunch, didn't he?" Mrs. Bryce laughed. "I'm having a house party over the week end and he is coming." "This week end?" "Yes. Your beau arrives on the noon train Saturday." "But I am spending the day with the Hunters Saturday," the child protested. "I can't help that," replied her parent. "May I come down to dinner Saturday night?" "Certainly not." "Can't I come in with the cocktails, and stay till you go to the dining room?" "Nobody wants you under foot." "He's my friend just as much as he is yours!" blazed Isabelle. "You can see him at tea." "With everybody around? I have something private to tell him." "What, pray?" "About Amazons." "Well, we'll not have Amazons with the cocktails, I can tell you that," said her mother with finality. Isabelle brooded over the matter until the end of the week. She tried to get out of the day with Margie Hunter, but Mrs. Bryce was glad to be rid of her and forced her to go. She ordered Miss Watts not to go after her until half past five, when tea would be safely over. Isabelle composed a note of explanation and left it on the bureau in the room which Christiansen was to occupy. DEAR FRIEND: Because of others, and Margie Hunter's mother I cannot meet you at the station. I have to spend the day with old Margie Hunter. I have organized the Amazons, as you said, and we are strong and true, in riding breeches. I have a plan, but don't tell Max. Your loving friend, ISABELLE BRYCE. She forgot her troubles somewhat at the Hunters'. All the Amazons were there, as well as Margie's brother, Herbert, an elderly person of twelve, with some of his friends. They treated the girls with great scorn until Isabelle told them the story of the persecutions she endured at home, in order to be an Amazon. It featured imprisonment in a tower room, on a diet of bread and water, branding irons and flogging with a buckled strap. They formed a delighted circle about her, and urged her on. "Some little liar, that kid!" exclaimed Herbert. "_Then_ what did you do?" The big boys followed her about all day, to the exclusion of the other Amazons, who took refuge in chanting derogatory remarks, such as: "Herbie Hunter is stuck on Isabelle!" When 5:30 arrived and with it, Miss Watts, Isabelle departed with a feeling of a day well spent. She turned her thoughts to the next event. They had a puncture on the way, and the terrace and halls were deserted when they arrived home. Miss Watts hurried her off to the schoolroom, for supper, and urged her to take her bath and go to bed after her strenuous day. The child was docility itself. While she was at supper a note was brought to her. It was from Christiansen. She read: