system. The proper thing is to receive callers privately, without the
family en masse sitting by and superintending. That's etiquette, you
know. And one must always serve refreshments. More etiquette. Men
are such greedy animals, they do not care to go places where the eats
aren't forthcoming."

"Men! Are you referring to this Babbling creature now?" interposed
Carol.

"Ouch!" said Lark.

"But won't it be rather--poky--just sitting in the front room by
yourselves all evening?" asked Prudence doubtfully, ignoring the
offended twins.

"Oh, I dare say it will. But it's the proper thing to do," said Fairy
complacently.

"What are you going to do all evening?" Connie wanted to know. "Just
sit and look at each other and admire yourselves?"

The twins thought this very clever of Connie, so they both said "Ouch!"
approvingly.

"Why, no, baby dear," said Fairy good-naturedly. "We shall talk.
Feast our souls with a flow of reason, you know. We shall converse.
We shall hold pleasant intercourse."

"Wouldn't it be more fun to have the girls in for a little while?"
This from Prudence.