John Leslie's way of speaking was often a puzzle to Aunt Faith; he seemed so frank, and yet if he had planned each sentence, he could not have contrived words so well adapted to carry their point. He always seemed confident that Sibyl agreed with him, and that their views coincided on all points. He took the lead, and never seemed to have a doubt but that she would follow, and, when he was present, Sibyl generally did follow; it was only when he was absent that the wide difference in the motives which actuated their lives became clearly visible, and Aunt Faith saw worldliness on one side, and unworldliness on the other, with an apparently impassible gulf between. When Mr. Leslie spoke, therefore, Sibyl smiled, and took a seat by his side while she occupied herself in wrapping up the cups and saucers ready for the hamper which Nanny and Bridget were packing on the back piazza. At two o'clock everything was ready, and the family assembled on the front piazza to wait for the expected guests. "Are they all coming, Sibyl?" asked Aunt Faith. "Most of them, aunt. We shall have Edith Chase and Annie, Lida Powers, Walter Hart, Rose Saxon and Graham Marr, Mr. Gay, Gideon Fish, William Mount, and one of the B. B.'s,--Jim Morse." "Oh, General Putnam!" said Bessie: "so much the better. He will give a military air to the scene." "Seventeen in all," said Aunt Faith; "the two wagons will be well loaded." Bessie turned away her head, but not before Mr. Leslie had seen the smile on her face. "Miss Bessie is laughing at the idea of a possible break down," he said: "but for my part I am quite well able to walk home, and even help draw the wagon if necessary." "Aunt Faith, how could you put Gideon Fish on the list?" said Bessie, as Sibyl and Mr. Leslie strolled off into the garden. "Because I think you are somewhat unjust to him, Bessie; he has excellent qualities." "Well, aunt, if you like him, will you be so kind as to entertain him when he comes?" said Bessie impatiently. "Hey," said Tom, looking up, "Bess is getting mad! What fun!" "There's Rose Saxon!" said Bessie; "how do you do, Rose? You are the first and shall have the heartiest welcome." "What has gone wrong, Bessie? There is a wrinkle between your eyes that betokens something vexatious, I know," said Rose, taking a seat on the step. "It is Gideon Fish," answered Bessie, in a low tone as Aunt Faith went into the sitting-room for a shawl. "Is _he_ coming?" exclaimed Rose. "Yes; he was invited, and of course he will not decline when cake and coffee are in question." "And when Miss Darrell is in question," said Rose, laughing. "Do not tease, Rose. I am vexed in earnest this time." "What do you say to having a little fun out of him, Bessie?" "By all means, if you can extract it from such material."