Virginia was Mrs. Lancaster's favorite child, now she kissed her
warmly. "Don't get all tired out, my darling!" said she, and when
the girl was gone she added, "Never gives ONE thought to herself!"

"She's an angel!" said Loretta Parker fervently.

"But I kind of hate to have you go down to League Hall alone, Ma,"
said Mary Lou, who was piling dishes and straightening the room,
with Susan's help.

"Yes, let us put you on the car," Susan suggested.

"I declare I hate to have you," the older woman hesitated.

"Well, I'll change," Mary Lou sighed wearily. "I'll get right into
my things, a breath of air will do us both good, won't it, Sue?"

Presently they all walked to the McAllister Street car. Susan,
always glad to be out at night, found something at which to stop in
every shop window; she fairly danced along at her cousin's side, on
the way back.

"I think Fillmore Street's as gay as Kearney, don't you, Mary Lou?
Don't you just hate to go in. Don't you wish something exciting
would happen?"

"What a girl you are for wanting excitement, Sue. I want to get back
and see that Georgie hasn't shut everyone out of the parlor!"
worried Mary Lou.