Unconsciously the woman of the world lingered longer than was her wont in making calls. She liked the atmosphere, and was strangely interested by them all. "I wish you would come and see me," she said cordially as she rose at last to go, and she said it as if she meant it,--as if she lived right around the corner and not twenty-two miles away,--as if she really wanted her to come, and not as if this other woman lived in a barn at all. "Good old sport!" commented her son in his heart as he listened. He had known she must see their worth, and yet he had been strangely afraid. Mrs. Hollister received the invitation with a flush of pleasure. "Thank you," she answered graciously, "I'm afraid not. I seldom go anywhere any more. But I've been very glad to have had this call from you. It will be a pleasure to think about. Come sometime again when you are out this way. Your son has been most kind. I cannot find words to express my thanks." "Has he?" and his mother looked questioningly at her son. "Well, I'm very glad----" "Yes, and Elizabeth! She is a dear sweet girl, and we all love her!" Revelations! "Oh, has Elizabeth been here too? Well, I'm glad. I hope she has not been a nuisance. She's such an impulsive, erratic child. Elizabeth is quite a problem just now. She's out of school on account of her eyes, and her girl friends, most of them, being away at school, she is perfectly forlorn. I am delighted to have her with your children. I am sure they are charming associates for her." And her eyes rested approvingly on the sparkling Carol in her simple school dress of brown linen with its white collar and cuffs. There was nothing countrified about Carol. She looked dainty in the commonest raiment, and she smiled radiantly at Elizabeth's mother and won her heart. "Would you let Elizabeth stay overnight with us here sometime?" she asked shyly. "Why, surely! I presume she would be delighted. She does about as she pleases these days. I really don't see very much of her, I'm so busy this time of year, just at the end of the season, you know, and lots of committee meetings and teas and things." They stopped at the doorway to look up into the big tree, in response to the earnest solicitations of Doris, who pulled at the lady's gloved hand insistently, murmuring sweetly: "Budie! Budie! See mine budie in the twee!" The Hollisters stood grouped at the doorway when at last the visitors got into their car and went away. Mrs. Graham looked back at them wistfully. "What a lovely group they make!" she murmured. "Now, Sidney, tell me at once who they are and why they live in a barn, and why you brought me out here. I know you had some special object. I knew the minute I saw that charming woman." "Mother, you certainly are great! I thought you'd have the good sense to see what they are."