placid face had lighted with pleasure at sight of Fanny and Ellen,
proclaimed that when the day came for _her_ to stay at home from a
young folks' social she hoped they'd bury her, right off.

So the instant--psychological or otherwise--passed. But Fanny Dodge's
heavy heart was beating hopefully once more.

"If I could only see him alone," she was thinking. "He would explain
everything."

Her thoughts flew onward to the moment when she would come down
stairs once more, cloaked for departure. Perhaps Wesley--she ventured
to call him Wesley in her joyously confused thoughts--perhaps Wesley
would walk home with her as on other occasions not long past. Jim,
she reflected, could go with Ellen.

Then all at once she came upon Lydia Orr, in her simple white dress,
made with an elegant simplicity which convicted every girl in the
room of dowdiness. She was talking with Judge Fulsom, who was slowly
consuming a huge saucer of ice-cream, with every appearance of
enjoyment.

"As I understand it, my dear young lady, you wish to employ
Brookville talent exclusively in repairing your house," Fanny heard
him saying, between smacking mouthfuls.

And Lydia Orr replied, "Yes, if you please, I do want everything to
be done here. There are people who can, aren't there?"

When she saw that Fanny had paused and was gazing at her doubtfully,