Mr. Maynard pulled the ribbon of which Kitty held the other end, and the little girl jumped as she felt the ribbon move in her hand. But Kitty was usually ready for an emergency.
"Violetta Evangeline," she said. "The Princess thought that was the most beautiful name in the world, and I think so, too. Well, then, her father, the King, had the news sent all through the kingdom that his daughter was named at last, and then everybody sent her letters. She had bags and bags full of mail every day, and they had to put on an extra postman. And she had valentines in the mail, and catalogues, and birthday presents, and samples of dresses, and seeds for flowers, and,—and magazines, and,—and,—and one day a little live kitten came to her in the mail, and she wassopleased. So she named the kitten Toodle-Doo, and wherever she went shetook the kitten with her. And one day she went off on a long journey, and of course Toodle-Doo went with her. And as they went along,—and went along——"
Just here Mr. Maynard pulled another ribbon, and Molly gave a startled jump.
So Kitty stopped, and Molly took up the story:
"They went along," said she, dropping her voice to a tragic whisper, "on a dark and lonely road. And a great pirate jumped out at them, and cried, 'What, ho! The password?' And Violetta Evangeline didn't know the password, but she guessed at it, and she guessed, 'Crackers and Cheese,' and, as it happened, she guessed just right, and they let her go through."
"Through what?" asked King, greatly interested.
"Oh! I don't know," returned Molly, carelessly; "through the gate, I s'pose, into the enchanted garden. So she went in, and everything enchanted happened all at once. She was turned into a fairy, and the kitten was turned into a canary bird, and he roosted on the fairy's shoulder, and then he began to sing. And then the enchantment turned him into a music-box, and so ViolettaEvangeline didn't have any kitten or any bird or anybody to play with. But just then the Fairy Prince came along, and he said he'd play with her. And he said she could play with his toys. So she went to see them, and they were all made of gold and jewels. His tops were of gold, and his kites were of gold all set with rubies and diamonds."
"Huh," said King, "they couldn't fly!"
"These kites could," said Molly, quite undisturbed, "because they were enchanted kites, and that made the diamonds as light as feathers."
But just then Marjorie's ribbon twitched. She had been waiting for it, and she picked up the story where Molly left off.
"The kites were soverylight," said Midge, "that one of them flew away entirely. And as Violetta Angeline was hanging on to its string, she was carried along with it, and in a jiffy she was over the wall and outside of the enchanted garden, so then she wasn't enchanted any more, but she was just a Princess again. So she walked forth, and sought adventures. And her first adventure was with a dragon. He was an awful big dragon, and flames of fire came out of his mouth and his ears and his toes. But the Princess wasn'tafraid of him, and as there was a big hydrant near by, she turned it on him and put the flames out. Then he wailed, and wept, and he said: 'Oh, Violetta Angelina, I have a woe! Oh, oh, I have a woe!' And as she was a kind Princess, she said, 'Tell me what your woe is, and perhaps I can help you.' So the Dragon said——"
Here Kingdon's ribbon pulled, and, though taken somewhat unawares, the boy tried to jump right into the story-telling, and he said:
"'Yes, yes, my dear,' said the Dragon, 'I have a woe, and it's this: everybody laughs at me because I cannot climb a tree!' 'Is that all?' asked the Princess, in surprise; 'why, I will teach you to climb a tree.' 'Oh, if you only would!' exclaimed the Dragon. So the Princess taught him to climb a tree, and they all lived happy ever after."
King brought his story to an abrupt close, because his mother had begun to look at the clock, and to intimate by sundry nods and gestures that it was bedtime.
"But Mother hasn't told any of the story yet," said Kitty, who was herself so sleepy she could scarcely listen even to the tale of her own Violetta Evangeline.
"Mother's story must wait till some othertime," said Mrs. Maynard. "This is the time for everybody of fourteen years or less to skip-hop up to bed."
So away trooped the children, glad to have learned a new game, and carefully putting away for future use the spool with the ribbons through it.
"But the ribbons don't really make any difference," said Molly, as they went upstairs. "You could just as wellsaywhose turn comes next."
"But it's so much prettier," argued Marjorie; "and it makes it seem so much more like a game."
"What's the name of the game?"
"I don't know; let's make up one."
"All right; Spool Stories,—no, Spool Yarn."
"A Spool of Yarns!" cried Marjorie, clapping her hands. "That's the very thing!"
And so "A Spool of Yarns" became one of their favorite games, and was often played in the evenings or on stormy days.
The rest of Molly's visit passed all too quickly, and Marjorie was sad indeed the day her friend returned home.
But Mrs. Maynard bore the blow bravely.
"She's a dear little girl," she said, after Mollyhad gone; "but sheisa lively one. In fact, she's a regular Maynard, and four young Maynards are just about all I can stand in the house permanently."
"Weren't we good, Mother?" asked Marjorie, anxiously.
"Yes, dear, you were good enough. Really, you didn't get into much mischief; but I suppose you've no idea how much noise you made."
"No'm, I haven't," said Marjorie. "And now I guess I'll go skating."
"Very well, Midge; but remember what Father told you about 'Snap the Whip.'"
"Oh, yes, indeed, Mother. I can never forget that, 'cause I have my prize, you know."
True to his word to give them both prizes, Mr. Maynard had brought the girls each a dainty silver bangle, from which hung a tiny pair of skates. This, he said, was to remind them of the dangerous game, and of their really narrow escape on Thanksgiving Day.
Later that afternoon Marjorie came home from her skating in a great state of excitement.
"Oh, Mother," she said; "Miss Merington hasasked me to be at her table at the Bazaar! Won't that be lovely?"
"Miss Merington! What does she want of a little girl like you?"
"Oh, she wants me to help her! Just afternoons, you know; not evenings. She's going to have two or three girls to help her. Miss Frost asked Gladys to be with her. You see, it's this way. Haven't you heard about the Alphabet of Booths?"
"No; what does that mean?"
"Well, I'll tell you. You see, the whole big Bazaar is going to be divided up into twenty-six booths. Each one is a letter—A, B, C, you know. Then everybody who takes charge of the booth begins with that letter, and sells those things."
"What things?"
"Why, Mother, like this. The A booth is in charge of Mrs. Andrews, and she sells apples and andirons, and,—and anything that begins with A."
"Then I should think she could sell 'anything,'" said Mrs. Maynard, laughing.
"Oh, Mother, that's lovely and witty. I'll tell Mrs. Andrews that. Well, and then Mrs.Burns has the B booth, and she sells beads and books and baskets and whatever begins with B."
"Oh, yes, I understand. And it's very clever. And so Miss Merington invited you to help her?"
"Yes, and Miss Frost invited Gladys, because Fulton begins with F. But, Mother, I can't think of a thing to sell that begins with M. Something that I can make, I mean. I can only think of melons and mantelpieces."
"How about mats?"
"Oh, yes, I can make mats. Crochet them, you mean? Will you show me how?"
"Yes, and mops, too; you can make mops, or buy them, either. I suppose they expect you to contribute some articles to be sold. I'll make some for you, too. I'll make you a lovely big, soft melon cushion, a head rest, you know. And, oh, Mopsy! I'll give you some mixed pickles, some of those good ones that Ellen puts up. They'll sell well, I know."
"Oh, goody, Mother; I'll have a lot of things to give them, won't I? And Miss Merington will be so pleased. She's a lovely lady."
"Yes, she's a charming girl, and I'm glad tohave you help her. Perhaps Father can think up some things for you that begin with M."
This was a good suggestion, and that very evening Midget put the question:
"Father, what begins with M that you could sell?"
"Why, Mopsy Midget Maynard, I could sell you, but I doubt if I could get a big enough price. You're a pretty valuable piece of property."
"Yes, but don't joke, Daddy. I mean really, in earnest, for the Bazaar, you know."
"Oh, yes, I've heard about that wonderful Bazaar. Well, let me see. Are you allowed to have any sort of wares if they begin with the right letter?"
"Yes, I think so. Mother thought of mats and mops."
"That's a good start. How are you to get these things? Do you donate them all to the Bazaar?"
"Yes; or Miss Merington said we could ask people to give us things, but I don't like to do that."
"No; not from strangers, of course. But I'm sure Mr. Gordon will be glad to give you sometoys or notions out of his store. He's such an old friend of mine, I wouldn't mind your asking him. And then I think Uncle Steve would send you a few trinkets, or Grandma Sherwood might. But most of your contributions I think we'll get up here at home. Now, let's be methodical, because that begins with M, and first we'll make some lists."
Marjorie was greatly interested, and flew for a pad and pencil, and then waited for her father to make his lists.
"I declare, Midget," he said, at last, "this is harder than I thought. I can't think of a thing but mahogany bureaus and marble mantles."
"How about marbles, Father? I mean the kind you play marbles with."
"That's good, Midge. Mr. Gordon will give you those. I don't want you to ask any one else, but Tom Gordon told me he would give a lot of things to the Bazaar, and he said for you to go down there and pick out what you want."
"Oh, that will be lovely! Now, let's think what else he has."
"Yes, that's the way to get at it. In a shop like his, with all sorts of stationery and toys andknick-knacks, there ought to be lots of M's. Well, doubtless he'll give you some music,—sheet-music, you know; and perhaps some magazines. Oh, and memorandum-books. You can always sell those to business men. Then he has maps, too; pocket-maps, or even larger ones. And I think that's all you ought to expect from him."
"Yes, that's enough. Now, what can I make myself?"
"I daresay Mother finished the list when she said mats and mops. I don't know of anything else, unless it's mantillas."
"What are they?"
"Don't you know? Well, it is an old-fashioned word. They're ladies' cloaks, mantles, you know."
"Oh, Father, I could make some for dolls!"
"Yes, that's good; if you can sew well enough."
"Mother will help me with the hard parts. But, really, they will be lovely. All the little girls will buy them. Now, can't I make something else?"
"Why, yes; make candy! Marshmallows,—I'll teach you how; you know I'm a famous candy-maker. But I don't know any other sort,—unless we say mint-drops. Would that do?"
"Oh, yes. And I can make mottoes. Any kindof candy, you know, done up in motto-papers."
"That's a fine idea! We'll all make a lot of home-made candy, and help you wrap it the night before the show. Then your nice, fresh mottoes will go off like hot cakes."
"Yes, indeed. And Ellen is going to give me some jars of her good mixed pickles."
"Oh, Ellen can help you a lot. Ask her to make you some mince pies and marmalade, and macaroons."
"Goody! Goody! I can have a regular food sale, all of M's! Why, it's a lovely letter, after all. I'm glad it's mine."
"How are they going to manage the Q and X and Z?"
"I think they're going to leave out X and Z. But Q is to be a table full of queer things. Indian curiosities, and such things. Miss Merington told me about it. Gladys is going to be with Miss Frost. She's going to make fudge, and paper fairies. And her father is going to give her a lot of fans,—Japanese ones,—and Dick is going to cut her out some fretwork things with his scroll-saw."
"Well, I think the ladies will have very helpfullittle assistants. I'll bring you a budget of things from the city, and we'll all have a bee to make candy for you."
The bee was great fun. The day before the Bazaar, Mr. Maynard brought home all sorts of goodies to make the candies with. He came home early that they might begin in the afternoon.
All the Maynard family went to work, and Ellen and Sarah helped some, too.
They made all sorts of candies that could be formed with the right shape and size for mottoes.
Rosy Posy, who loved to cut paper, snipped away at the sheets of printed verses, and really helped by cutting the couplets apart, all ready to be tucked into the papers with the candies.
The result of their labors was a big box of lovely-looking "mottoes," all neatly twisted into fringed or scalloped papers of bright colors.
King proposed that Midget should have a restaurant at the Bazaar, and serve macaroni, and mackerel, muskmelons, and milk.
But Mr. Maynard said he feared that would necessitate medicine and medical attendance.
The Bazaar opened Thursday afternoon, and was to continue the rest of the week. As it was for a public charity, the whole town was interested, and the Town Hall, where the Bazaar was held, was gaily decorated for the occasion.
Marjorie was allowed to stay home from school, and in the morning she went over to the hall to take her contributions and to help Miss Merington arrange the booth.
Uncle Steve had responded nobly to Marjorie's letter asking him to send her some M things. A box came to her by express, and in it were some Indian beaded moccasins that were unique and beautiful. Then there were several pocket mirrors and hand mirrors; half a dozen mousetraps; a package of matches; some funny masks, and a plaster cast of "Mercury."
There was also a large wicker thing shaped likethe arc of a circle. At first Marjorie didn't know the name of this, though she had seen them used to protect carriage wheels.
"Why, it's a mudguard!" cried Mr. Maynard. "How clever of old Steve!"
Also in the box were some mufflers, which Grandma Sherwood had made by neatly hemming large squares of silk.
Mr. Maynard had brought Marjorie some inexpensive pieces of jewelry, which, he told her, were Florentine mosaics, and so, with all her M's, the little girl had a fine lot of wares to contribute.
James took them over to the hall for her, and Miss Merington was greatly pleased.
"You're a worth-while assistant," said the young lady, as she bustled about, arranging her pretty booth.
True to the spirit of the plan, Miss Merington had made her booth of mauve-colored tissue-paper, and decorated it with morning-glories, also made of paper, of delicate violet shades.
It was one of the prettiest booths in the room, and Marjorie was glad she belonged to it.
"Now, Moppet," said Miss Merington, "whatare you going to wear this afternoon? I have a beautiful mauve costume, but I suppose you haven't. And as I don't want you to be a jarring note, I'm going to ask you not to wear any red or blue. Can't you wear all white?"
"My frock is white, Miss Merington," said Marjorie; and then she added, laughing, "and it's muslin, so I suppose that's all right. And Mother bought me a mauve sash and hair-ribbon and silk stockings, all to match. And I've white slippers. Will that do?"
"Do! I should think it would. You'll be sweet in mauve and white. Now, I'll tell you your duties. You must just look pleasant and smiling, so that people will want to come to our booth to buy things. Then when they come, you may tell them the prices of things if they ask you, but don't ask them to buy. I hate people at fairs who insist on everybody's buying their goods. Don't you?"
Marjorie felt quite important at being consulted on this matter, and she hastened to agree with Miss Merington.
"Yes," she said. "But you won't have to ask the people to buy; I think they'll want to comehere, because this is the prettiest booth in the whole room."
"I'm glad you think so. But Miss Frost's booth is lovely. All made of cotton-wool snow, and tinsel ice."
"Oh, it's beautiful. My friend Gladys Fulton belongs there, and Daisy Ferris, too. I thought you were going to have more assistants, Miss Merington. Am I the only one?"
"Yes; to tell you the truth, I didn't know of any other nice little girl whose name began with M. You don't mind, do you, dear?"
"Oh, no, indeed! I'm glad to be here alone with you. And I'll do all I can to help."
"I'm sure you will. But now there's nothing more for you to do this morning, so skip along home and get a good rest; then be back here promptly at three o'clock this afternoon with all your mauve millinery on."
"I don't wear a hat, Miss Merington!" exclaimed Midge, in dismay.
"Of course not. I said millinery, meaning your ribbons and finery. I used the word because it begins with M. Do you know, Marjorie, I fairlythinkin words beginning with M!"
"Oh, is that it?" said Marjorie, laughing."Well, good-morning Mademoiselle Merington!"
"You're a clever little thing," said Miss Merington; "and now run along home to Mother Maynard's mansion."
Marjorie laughed at this sally, and started for home. But at Miss Frost's booth she found Gladys, and the two walked around the hall, looking at the other booths. They were very interesting, for each lady in charge had endeavored to get all the novel ideas possible for which her special initial could be used.
X, Y, and Z had been declared impossible, but some clever girls had concluded it would be a pity to omit them, and said that they would combine the three in one booth. For X, which, they said, always represented "an unknown quantity," they had prepared some express packages. These contained merchandise of some sort, and had been sent through the express office, in order to give the proper appearance of expressed parcels. They were for sale at a price that was fair for their contents, and people were asked to buy them unopened, thus purchasing "an unknown quantity." Then there were yeast-cakes for sale; and toyyachts, marked "For Sail"; and yellow things of any kind; and zephyr garments, such as shawls and sacques and slippers.
This booth was very attractive, and was draped with yellow cheesecloth, with black X's and Y's and Z's all over it.
In order to make a variety, the R booth was a restaurant, the L booth served lemonade, and the C booth, candy and cakes.
"Isn't it fun?" said Marjorie to Gladys, as at last they started homeward. "What are you going to wear, Glad? I don't know of any color that begins with F."
"No," said Gladys. "Miss Frost says there's nothing but fawn-color, and that won't do. So we're all to wear white, with lots offrills. And we're to have feathers on our heads instead of ribbon bows, and we're to carry feather fans. I wish I was in your booth, Midget."
"Yes, I wish so, too; but of course we couldn't be in the same. But Father's coming at six to take us all to supper in the restaurant booth. Perhaps we can get together then."
"Yes, I hope we can. I'll ask Mother about it."
The girls parted at Gladys' gate, and Marjoriewent on home to luncheon.
"It's perfectly lovely, Mother!" she cried, as she entered the house. "I never saw such a beautiful fair."
"That's good, girlie; and now you must eat your luncheon and then lie down for a little rest before you go this afternoon."
"Oh, Mother Maynard! Why, I'm not a bit tired. You must think I'm an old lady."
Mrs. Maynard smiled at the bright face and dancing eyes, which certainly showed no trace of weariness.
But after luncheon she said: "Now, Midget, you must go to your room, and lie down for half an hour. Close your eyes, and rest even if you do not sleep."
Midget drew a long sigh, and walked slowly off to obey. She lay down on her own little white bed, but though she managed to close her eyes for nearly half a minute, they then flew wide open.
"Mother!" she called out. "I can't keep my eyes shut, unless I pin them. Shall I do that?"
"Don't be foolish, Marjorie," called back Mrs. Maynard, from her own room. "Go to sleep."
"But, Mother, I can't go to sleep. I'm aswide-awake as a—a weasel. Mother, what time are you going to the fair?"
"At four o'clock. Now, be quiet, Marjorie, and don't ask any more questions."
"No'm. But, Mother, mayn't I get up now? I've been here nearly six or seven hours."
"It isn't six or seven minutes, yet. You must stay there half an hour, so you may as well make your mind up to it."
"Yes'm; I've made up my mind. But I think this clock has stopped. It hasn't moved but a teenty, taunty speck in all these hours. What time is it by your clock, Mother?"
"Marjorie! You'll drive me distracted! Will you be still?"
"Yes'm, if you'll let me come in your room. May I, Mother? I'll just lie still on your couch, and I won't speak. I'll just look at you. You know you're so pretty, Mother."
Mrs. Maynard stifled a laugh.
"Come on, then," she called. "I simply can't yell like this any longer."
"I should think not," said Marjorie, as sheappeared in her mother's doorway. "My throat's exhausted, too."
"Now, remember," said Mrs. Maynard, "you said you'd be quiet in here. Lie down on the couch, and put the afghan over you, and go to sleep."
"I'll lie down on the couch,—so," said Marjorie, suiting the action to the word; "and I'll put the afghan over me,—so; but I can't go to sleep—because I can't."
"Well, shut your eyes, and try to go to sleep; and, at any rate, stop talking."
"Yes'm; I'll try." Marjorie squeezed her eyes tightly shut, and in a moment she began to talk in a droning voice. "I'm asleep now, Mother, thank you. I'm having a lovely nap. I'm just talking in my sleep, you know. Nobody can help that, can they?"
"No; but they can't expect to be answered. So, talk in your sleep if you choose, but keep your eyes shut."
"Oh, dear, that's the hardest part! Oh, Mother, I've such a good idea! Mayn't I begin to dress while I'm asleep? Just put on my slippers and stockings, you know. It would be such a helptoward dressing to have that done. May I,—Mother? Mother, may I?"
"Marjorie, you are incorrigible! Get up, do, and go for your bath, now. And if you're ready too early, you'll have to sit still and not move until it's time to go."
"Oh, Mother, what a dear, sweet mother you are!"
With a bound, Marjorie was off of the couch and tumbling into her mother's arms.
Mrs. Maynard well understood the impatient young nature, and said no more about a nap.
But at last the time came for Marjorie to start, and very sweet and dainty she looked in her mauve and white costume. She had never worn that color before, as it isn't usually considered appropriate for little girls, but it proved becoming, and her dancing eyes and rosy cheeks brightened up an effect otherwise too demure for a twelve-year-old child.
Gladys was waiting at her own gate, and off they went to the hall.
Of course, the customers hadn't yet arrived, but soon after Marjorie had taken her place inside the booth, the people began to flock to the fair.
Miss Merington looked lovely in a violet crêpe-de-chinegown, which just suited her exquisite complexion and golden hair.
She greeted Marjorie as a companion and fellow-worker, and Midge resolved to do her best to please the lovely lady. Somehow there seemed to be a great deal to do. As the afternoon wore on the M booth had a great many customers, and Miss Merington was kept so busy that Marjorie had to be on the alert to assist her. She made change; she answered the customers' questions; and sometimes she had to go to the department of supplies for wrapping paper, string, and such things. She was very happy, for Marjorie dearly loved a bustle of excitement, and the Bazaar was a gay place.
After a time old Mr. Abercrombie came to the M booth. Marjorie hadn't forgotten the day they rode behind his sleigh, and she wondered if he would buy anything from her.
He looked at her quizzically through his big glasses, and said:
"Well, well, little girl, and what have you for sale? Old gentlemen like myself are fond of sweet things, you know. Have you any sweet cakes?"
"Yes, sir," said Marjorie, and as Miss Merington was occupied with other customers she felt justified in trying to make a sale herself.
"Yes, sir; we have these very nice cocoanut macaroons."
"Ah, yes; and how do you know they're nice? You must never make a statement unless you're sure."
"Oh, but I am sure," said Marjorie, very earnestly. "Ellen, our cook, made them, and she's a very superior cook. I know she is, because my mother says so. And, besides, I know these are good because I've had some of them myself."
"You've proved your case," said the old gentleman. "But now I'll catch you! I'll buy your whole stock of macaroons if——"
"If what, sir?" said Marjorie, breathlessly, for his suggestion meant a large sale, indeed.
"If you can spell macaroons," was the unexpected reply.
"Oh!" Marjorie gave a little gasp of dismay, for she had never had the word in her spelling lessons, and she didn't remember ever seeing it in print.
"May I think a minute?" she asked.
"Yes," said Mr. Abercrombie, taking out hiswatch; "but just a minute, no more."
This embarrassed Marjorie a little, but she was determined to win if possible, so she set her wits to work.
It was confusing, for she was uncertain whether to say double c or double r, or whether both those letters were single. Then, like a flash, came to her mind the way her father had taught her to spellmacaroni. The wordsmightnot be alike, but more likely they were, so before the minute had elapsed, she said, bravely:
"M-a-c-a-r-double o-n-s."
"Good for you!" cried Mr. Abercrombie. "You're a smart little girl, and a good speller. I'll take all the macaroons you have."
Greatly elated, Marjorie referred the sale to Miss Merington, and that lady was very much pleased when Mr. Abercrombie gave her a good-sized banknote, and declined to take any change.
"For the good of the cause," he said, waiving away the proffered change.
"And now," their eccentric customer went on, "I've just a little more money to spend at this booth, for I've promised one or two other friendsto buy some of their wares. But, Miss Rosycheeks, I'll tell you what I'll do."
He looked at Marjorie so teasingly that she felt sure he was going to ask her to spell something else, and this time she feared she would fail.
"I'll do this," proceeded Mr. Abercrombie: "I'll buy anything for sale at this booth that our young friend, the paragon speller, cannotspell!"
Marjorie's eyes sparkled. She wasn't really a "paragon speller," and she felt sure there must be something that was beyond her knowledge. But, somehow, all the things seemed to have simple names. Any one could spell mittens and muffs and mats. And though mandolin and marmalade were harder, yet she conscientiously realized that she could spell those correctly.
"I don't see anything," she said, at last, slowly and regretfully.
"Then I save my money, and you save your reputation as a speller," said Mr. Abercrombie, jocosely, as he jingled some silver in his pocket.
"Oh, wait a minute!" cried Marjorie. "There's that handsome clock! Miss Merington said it's malachite, and I haven't the least idea how to spell that!"
"Fairly caught!" said the old gentleman,chuckling at his own defeat. "I see by your honest eyes that you really don't know how to spell malachite, and itisa hard word. Now, listen, and I'll teach you."
Mr. Abercrombie spelled the word, and then said:
"Would you have guessed it was spelled like that?"
"No, sir," said Midge, truthfully; "I should have thought there was a 'k' in it."
"I almost wish there had been," said the gentleman, ruefully, "then I should not have to buy the most expensive article on your table. However, it will look well on my library mantel, and I shall rejoice whenever I look at it and remember that you know how to spell it."
Marjorie smiled at this idea, and the queer customer paid to Miss Merington the rather large price that was marked on the handsome clock.
"Marjorie, you're a trump!" said she, as Mr. Abercrombie walked away. "He's about the only one here rich enough to buy that clock, and I'm glad he took it. This will swell our fund finely."
When it was supper-time, the Maynards andFultons all went together to the restaurant in the R booth. They had a merry time, and Marjorie told the story of her "Spelling Lesson," as she called it.
"You're a born merchant, Midge," said King. "You make money by knowing how to spell—and then you make money by not knowing!"
"But such occasions don't happen often," said Mr. Maynard. "I think you'd better continue your spelling lessons for a few years yet. And now, as it's time for ice-cream, I'll try your friend's plan, Midget. If you can spellBiscuit Tortoni, you can have it!"
"Thank you, Father," said Marjorie, smiling; "but I'd rather have vanilla and chocolate. They're easier to spell, and just as good to eat."
After supper, the children had to go home. Marjorie looked back reluctantly at the brilliant hall, even more gay since the lights were burning, but she remembered that she could yet come two more afternoons, so she said no word of regret.
"But I do hope," she said to her mother, as she tucked her tired little girl into bed that night, "I do hope that when I'm a grown-up younglady I'll be exactly like that lovely, sweet Miss Merington."
"I'm thankful to say that your grown-up-young-lady days are yet far off," responded her mother; "but when that time comes I'll be quite satisfied to have you the lovely, sweet Miss Maynard."
THE PATTY BOOKS
Patty is a lovable girl whose frank good nature and beauty lend charm to her varied adventures. These stories are packed with excitement and interest for girls.
PATTY FAIRFIELDPATTY AT HOMEPATTY IN THE CITYPATTY'S SUMMER DAYSPATTY IN PARISPATTY'S FRIENDSPATTY'S PLEASURE TRIPPATTY'S SUCCESSPATTY'S MOTOR CARPATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYSPATTY'S SOCIAL SEASONPATTY'S SUITORSPATTY'S ROMANCEPATTY'S FORTUNEPATTY BLOSSOM
THE MARJORIE BOOKS
Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.
MARJORIE'S VACATIONMARJORIE'S BUSY DAYSMARJORIE'S NEW FRIENDMARJORIE IN COMMANDMARJORIE'S MAYTIMEMARJORIE AT SEACOTE
THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.
TWO LITTLE WOMENTWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSETWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY
THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS
Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories "really true" to young readers.
DICK AND DOLLYDICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES
These are the adventures of a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, camping, travel and adventure. There is excitement and humor in these stories and girls will find in them the kind of pleasant associations that they seek to create among their own friends and chums.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CARTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMPTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDATHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEWTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLANDTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINTTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE CODTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLSTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COASTTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARMTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCHTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIPTHE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGETHE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR
The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while Margy, just out of business school, obtained a position as secretary and Rose, plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a "job" in a department store. The experiences of these girls make fascinating reading—life in the great metropolis is thrilling and full of strange adventures and surprises.
THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSETHE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCETHE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEMTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDERTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATIONTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSIONTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERYTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELENTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMPTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S MYSTERIOUS VISITORTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S HIDDEN TALENTTHE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S WONDERFUL MISTAKE
Among her "fan" letters Lilian Garis receives some flattering testimonials of her girl readers' interest in her stories. From a class of thirty comes a vote of twenty-five naming her as their favorite author. Perhaps it is the element of live mystery that Mrs. Garis always builds her stories upon, or perhaps it is because the girls easily can translate her own sincere interest in themselves from the stories. At any rate her books prosper through the changing conditions of these times, giving pleasure, satisfaction, and, incidentally, that tactful word of inspiration, so important in literature for young girls. Mrs. Garis prefers to call her books "juvenile novels" and in them romance is never lacking.
JUDY JORDANJUDY JORDAN'S DISCOVERYSALLY FOR SHORTSALLY FOUND OUTA GIRL CALLED TEDTED AND TONY, TWO GIRLS OF TODAYCLEO'S MISTY RAINBOWCLEO'S CONQUESTBARBARA HALEBARBARA HALE'S MYSTERY FRIENDNANCY BRANDONNANCY BRANDON'S MYSTERYCONNIE LORINGCONNIE LORING'S GYPSY FRIENDJOAN: JUST GIRLJOAN'S GARDEN OF ADVENTUREGLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DADGLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL
Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls. Nancy Drew, ingenious, alert, is the daughter of a famous criminal lawyer and she herself is deeply interested in his mystery cases. Her interest involves her often in some very dangerous and exciting situations.
THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK
Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself in the midst of adventure.
THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE
Mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an investigation by Nancy.
THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY
Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bungalow.
THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN
Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to extricate herself from a dangerous situation.
THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH
On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and solves it.
THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM
Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated farm.
THE CLUE IN THE DIARY
A fascinating and exciting story of a search for a clue to a surprising mystery.
NANCY'S MYSTERIOUS LETTER
Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.
This series of beautifully illustrated books for younger children includes a wide range of child interests—all the way from true tales of action to delightful stories of brownies and bunnies and fairies, and such famous classics as "A Child's Garden of Verses."