“Oh!” laughed Louise. “That’s it! Can Grace really make bread, Dick?” “None better. When last seen she was up to her elbows in dough.” “I think that’s awfully clever of her,” said Nell Sawin. “I wish I could do it. Don’t you, May?” May Burnham, who had received Dick’s announcement with surprise, agreed somewhat doubtfully. May had always considered household duties rather below the dignity of one who was so closely related to the wealthy and influential Brents, but, observing that Louise seemed to think Grace Lovering’s accomplishment something to be proud of instead of ashamed of, she added, with more enthusiasm: “I think it must be very nice to be able to do things like that”; and secretly wondered whether her own views were mistaken. Certainly, she reflected, none of the others seemed at all shocked by Dick’s confession. Presently they got down to business and Louise, as treasurer, announced the fund now totaled sixty-eight dollars and eighty cents. “And,” she added, “I think that’s all we can get from the students. We’ve seen all the girls except one, who is ill, and Dick and Gordon have seen most of the boys.” “All but three,” replied Dick, “and they won’t subscribe more than a quarter apiece, I guess.” “All right,” said Lanny. “That leaves us about twenty-one dollars behind then. To-day’s the eleventh, isn’t it? And Mr. Grayson’s birthday is the twenty-fifth, and that’s just two weeks from to-day. When are you planning to buy the things?” “I suppose we ought to do it a week ahead,” said Morris. “It may take three or four days for them to get here by freight.” “Maybe longer,” said Dick. “I wouldn’t leave it much after the fifteenth.” “The fifteenth is Sunday,” Morris reminded. “We might go to New York the next day, though.” “Who’s going?” asked Gordon. “Louise and May and I, unless some of you fellows want to go along.” “I guess none of us could get away,” responded Dick. “You’ll have to cut recitations, won’t you, though?” “Only one. We’ll take the two-twelve train and that’ll give us nearly three hours before the stores close. We can get back by eight. If we can get everything at Marsden’s it won’t take more than an hour or so. Father agreed last night to advance what money we need and we’re to pay him back as fast as we collect from the students.” “We have almost fifty dollars paid in now,” said Louise. “So we won’t have to borrow more than forty from father.” “How about the expenses of your trip?” Lanny asked. “We’ll each pay our own,” replied Louise. “It’s only fair, because it’s going to be rather fun. I wish we might all go.” “It will be all right if I cut practice that day, won’t it?” asked Morris. Dick nodded. “For that matter,” he said, “Lanny and Gordon may go as far as practice is concerned. There won’t be much hard work on Monday, anyway.” “Couldn’t you go, Dick?” Louise asked. “I’m afraid not. I’d have to cut two classes. Besides, I’m not much good at getting around in the crowds.”