"Well, well,--seems to me I should have had an invitation for that play," mused Richard, searching his memory. "I wish I'd had one. I should like to see your sister act _Katherine_. I suppose it's quite impossible to get one at this late hour?" "I'm afraid so. It's really not at all strange that any one is left out of the list of invitations," Ruth hastened to make clear. "You see, each girl is allowed only six, and that usually takes just her family or nearest friends. And if you are only a distant cousin of Olivia's--" "It's not at all strange that she shouldn't ask me, for I'm afraid I've neglected to avail myself of former invitations of hers," admitted Richard, ruefully. "Too bad. Punishment for such neglect usually follows--and I certainly have it now. I know the Stuart Hendersons, though--I wonder--Never mind, Miss Ruth, don't look so sorry. You'll tell me about it afterward, some time, won't you?" "Indeed I will. Oh, it's been such an exciting day. Rob's been rehearsing her lines all day--when she wasn't trying on. She says she could have played _Petruchio_ much better, because she's had to coach Olivia Cartwright for that part so much more than she's had to coach Ethel for _Katherine_. But, then, she knows the whole play--she could take any part. She would have loved to play _Petruchio_, though, on account of the boots and the slashing round the stage the way he does. But I think it's just as well, for _Katherine_ certainly slashes, too--and Rob's not quite tall enough for _Petruchio_." "I'm glad she plays _Katherine_," said Richard Kendrick decidedly. "I can't imagine your sister in boots! I've no doubt, though, she'd make them different from other boots--if she wore them!" "Of course she would," agreed Ruth. Then she began to talk about something else, for a bit of fear had come into her mind that Rob wouldn't enjoy all this discussion of herself, if she should know about it. She was such an honest young person, however, that she had a good deal of difficulty, when she had done her errand and was at home again, in not telling Roberta of her meeting with Richard Kendrick. She did venture to ask a question. "Is Mr. Kendrick invited for to-night, Rob?" "Not by me," Roberta responded promptly. "He might be, by one of the girls, I suppose?" "The girls invite whom they like. I haven't seen the list. I don't imagine he would be on it. I hope not, certainly." "Why? Don't you think he would enjoy it?" "No, I do not. Musical comedies are probably more to his taste than amateur productions of Shakespeare. But I'm not thinking about the audience--the players are enough for me." Then, suddenly, an idea which flashed into her mind caused her to turn and scan Ruth's ingenuous young face. "You haven't been inviting Mr. Kendrick yourself, Rufus?" "Why, how could I?" But the girl flushed rosily in a way which betrayed her interest. "I just--wondered." "How did you come to wonder? Have you seen him?"