Peggy turned hastily. Dorothy stood in the doorway, her resentful gaze fastened upon Ruth. Dorothy was extremely sensitive regarding any reference to her tender years, and seldom failed to grasp the import of a carefully veiled allusion to her presence, even though the words used were beyond her understanding. "There aren’t any small persons over here," she announced, scowling darkly in Ruth’s direction. "There’s nobody here but free big girls." Peggy discreetly dropped her hair over her face to veil a smile. "I wonder what Taffy’s doing," she said diplomatically. "I hope he isn’t out on the front lawn where he’ll get into a quarrel with the butcher’s dog." Dorothy looked stubbornly at the toes of her small shoes, and Peggy tried another tack. "Let’s see! I wonder if I left any caramels on the plate in the pantry last night. Yes, I believe there were two or three." "Maybe Dick ate ’em," suggested Dorothy, falling into the snare. "He hadn’t eaten them fifteen minutes ago when I came upstairs. On the plate with the blue castle, Dorothy, dear, and Sally’ll hand it down to you if you can’t reach it." Peggy laughed out, as Dorothy clattered down the stairs. "Isn’t she quick?" she exclaimed admiringly. "That child knew in a second you wanted to get rid of her." She shook her hair back as she spoke, and, for the first time, caught sight of Ruth’s face. "Why, Ruth!" Peggy took an impulsive step forward. "Then it’s really--" "It’s something really dreadful," Ruth returned, biting the lip which would tremble, in spite of her efforts. She turned the key in the lock to secure the conference against further interruptions, and held a letter toward Peggy. "Read that," she said. The sheet Peggy drew from the square envelope bore a showy monogram at the top. "My dear boy," Peggy read, and then looked up bewildered. "Why, I don’t see--" "O, go on," Ruth cried, with, an impatient stamp of her foot. "_Do_ go on." And Peggy obediently read the communication aloud. "MY DEAR BOY:--The charming little pendant came last evening, and I thank you a thousand times. The design is as unique and charming as that of the brooch you sent last week. I noticed that you purchased both at King and Kennedy’s, who are noted, I understand, for exclusive designs, as well as for the superior quality of their goods. "By the way, I noticed a darling little ring, a combination of pearls and sapphires, in their window the other day. Ask to see it sometime when you are passing. They are most obliging and always ready to show their stock whether you wish to purchase or not. "Again, with many thanks "Yours, "Maud." Peggy’s blank stare met her friend’s disturbed gaze. "I don’t understand it," she cried. "Who wrote it, and whom is it written to, and why did you bring it to me, and what makes you act as if it was so dreadful?"