standing, talking to Mr.

Jeffers. But he was drinking coffee, and the Gibbons boys were
handing things around.

The daughters of the lady from Philadelphia were sitting on shawls
on the edge of the window that opened upon the piazza. It was a
soft, warm evening, and some of the young people were on the
piazza. Everybody was talking and laughing, except those who
were listening.

Mr. Peterkin broke away, to bring back his cup and another for
more coffee.

"It's a great success, Elizabeth Eliza," he whispered. "The coffee is
admirable, and plenty of cups. We asked none too many. I should
not mind having a tea-party every week."

Elizabeth Eliza sighed with relief as she filled his cup. It was going
off well.

There were cups enough, but she was not sure she could live over
another such hour of anxiety; and what was to be done after tea?

THE PETERKINS TOO LATE FOR THE EXHIBITION.
Dramatis Personæ. ­Amanda (friend of Elizabeth Eliza), Amanda's
mother, girls of the graduating class, Mrs. Peterkin, Elizabeth
Eliza. AMANDA [coming in with a few graduates ].

MOTHER, the exhibition is over, and I have brought the whole