Jones--she wouldn't tell on the girls."

"And did they let any of the fellows come to see
you?" Bart asked.

"No; only brothers and cousins once in a long
while. Maria Collins tried to pass one of her beaux,
Max Feilding, off as a cousin, but Miss Sarah went
down to see him and poor Maria had to stay upstairs."

"I'd have got in," said Bart with some emphasis,
rousing himself from his position and twisting his
body so he could again look squarely in her face.
This escapade was more to his liking.

"How?" asked Lucy in a tone that showed she
not only quite believed it, but rather liked him the
better for saying so.

"Oh I don't know. I'd have cooked up some
story." He was leaning over now, toying with the
lace that clung to Lucy's arms. "Did you ever have
any one of your own friends treated in that way?"

Jane's voice cut short her answer. She had seen
the two completely absorbed in each other, to the
exclusion of the other guests who were now coming
in, and wanted Lucy beside her.

The young girl waved her fan gayly in answer,