little dunce I believed it all and went to that party anticipating
a blissful supply of waffles. In vain I looked up and down the
elegant table! I ate and ate, but never a waffle appeared!
Finally, when I could stand it no longer, I piped out, 'Cousin
Dorothy, please can I have my waffles now?' Of course, my mother
was dreadfully mortified, for some of the guests were strangers,
and very great people; but Dorothy took it as a mighty good joke,
and even after I was married she used to laugh about my 'w'awful'
disappointment. I've not gotten over my appetite for waffles
either! I believe I could eat and relish them three times a day."

"You couldn't! Just wait till you've had 'em fifty-two times a
year, five years running--as I have!" Mrs. Crump's lips made a
straight line.

"Mrs. Crump has kept tabs on her waffles," giggled Miss Crilly.
"How many does this morning make--five hundred and--?"

"Sh!" nudged Mrs. Bonnyman at Miss Crilly's elbow.

Two youngish women entered the room. They were the superintendent
and the matron.

Upstairs, meanwhile, Miss Juanita Sterling; in bed, and Polly
Dudley, seated on the outside, were having a familiar talk.

"I shouldn't think you'd want to die till God gave you something to
die of," Polly was saying wistfully. "I think He must want you to
live, or He would give you something to die of. Perhaps He has
some beautiful work for you to do and is waiting for you to get