"Oh, look girls!" exclaimed Nora suddenly. "There is David Nesbit, and he
is coming this way. I haven't seen him for an age."

"Good afternoon, girls," said David, lifting his cap. "It is indeed a
pleasure to see you."

"Why, David," said Grace, "you are quite a stranger. Where have you been
keeping yourself?"

Anne also looked her pleasure at seeing her old friend.

"I have been very, very busy with some important business of my own," said
David in a mock-pompous tone. Then he announced: "I am going to give a
party and I am going to invite all of you. Will you come?"

"We will!" cried Nora. "Dressed in our costliest raiment, at that."

"Never mind about the fine clothes," said David, laughing. "This is to be
a plain, every-day affair."

"Who else is invited, David?" asked Jessica.

"Only one other girl beside yourselves has had the honor of receiving an
invitation."

"Miriam?" queried Grace, unable to conceal a shade of disappointment in
her tone.

"No, no; not Miriam," answered Miriam's brother.