society queen in our midst!"

"I think," put in Aunt Nettie, "that it's disgraceful the way they
put children forward these days."

"I wouldn't let Missy go if Mrs. Allen wasn't going to be there to
look after her," said mother.

"Mother, may I have the hem of my pink dress let down?" asked Missy.

At that father laughed, and Aunt Nettie might just as well have
said: "I told you so!" as put on that expression.

"It's my first real party," Missy went on, "and I'd like to look as
pretty as I can."

Something prompted father, as he rose from the table, to pause and
lay his hand on Missy's shoulder.

"Can't you get her a new ribbon or something, mother?" he asked.

"Maybe a new sash," answered mother reflectively. "They've got some
pretty brocaded pink ribbon at Bonner's."

After which Missy finished her breakfast in a rapture. It is queer
how you can eat, and like what you eat very much, and yet scarcely
taste it at all.

When the two hours of practicing were over, mother sent her down
town to buy the ribbon for the sash--a pleasant errand. She changed