Frightened and nervous at the whole affair, Stella began to cry.
And curiously enough, Stella's method of weeping was as noisy as
her usual manner was quiet. She cried with such loud, heart-
rending sobs that the other girls were frightened into quietness
again, until they caught sight of Stella's open mouth and tightly-
closed but streaming eyes, when hilarity overtook them again.

Into this distracting scene, came Grandma. She stood looking in
amazement at the three children and the debris on the floor.

At first Mrs. Sherwood naturally thought it an accident due to
Stella's carelessness, but Marjorie instantly confessed.

"It's my fault, Grandma," she said; "I scared Stella, and she
couldn't help dropping her things."

"You are a naughty girl, Mischief," said Grandma, as she tried to
comfort the weeping Stella. "I thought you would at least be
polite to your little guests, or I shouldn't have given you this
tea party."

"I'm awfully sorry," said Marjorie, contritely; "please forgive
me, Stella, but honestly I didn't think it would scare you so.
What would YOU do, Molly, if I said 'boo' to you?"

"I'd say 'boo yourself'!" returned Molly, promptly.

"I know you would," said Marjorie, "but you see Stella's
different, and I ought to have remembered the difference. Don't
cry, Stella; truly I'm sorry! Don't cry, and I'll give you my--my