the guests all the same. You do not ask how it happened or who they are,
but I proceed to explain.

"In glancing over the morning paper, while you and Rose were attiring
yourselves for the drive, I saw among the items of news that Donald Keith
is in our city. So I dispatched Solon with a carriage and a hastily
written note, asking Donald to come out to see us, bringing with him any
friend or friends he might choose."

"I am glad you did, papa; they shall have a warm welcome. But will it not
make it necessary for us to return home earlier than we intended?"

"No, not at all, it is not likely they will arrive until near our dinner
hour--if they come at all to-day, and if they should be there earlier,
Violet is quite capable of entertaining them."

"Yes," said Mrs. Dinsmore, "I know of no one more competent to minister to
the enjoyment of either grown people or children. As regards talent,
sweetness of disposition, and utter unselfishness combined, our Vi is one
in a thousand."

"Thank you, mamma, for saying it," Elsie said, her eyes shining with
pleasure. "She seems all that to me; but I thought it might be that
mother love magnified her good qualities and made me blind to her
imperfections."

Violet, in the nursery at home, was showing herself worthy of these
encomiums by her efforts to amuse the little ones and keep them from
missing the dear mother who had been so constantly with them of late. She
played quiet little games with them, told them beautiful stories, showed