"Nicely?" exclaimed Polly, lifting her hands, "why you are fresh from
fairyland. You are so good to put on that lovely blue moire and your
diamond cross, just for the boys and girls."

"I am glad you like it," said Mrs. Whitney hastily. "Now, Polly, don't
you worry about anything; I'll see that the last things are done."

"Well, I am worrying," confessed Polly, quite in a tremble; "I must see
to one corner of the private box for the boys. You know the last India
shawl you lent me wasn't pinned up straight and I couldn't fix it, for
Van wanted me just then, and I couldn't get away without his suspecting
something. Oh, Auntie! if you would see to that."

"I will," said Mrs. Whitney, not daring to look at Mrs. Pepper, "and to
all the other things; don't give a thought to them, Polly."

"How good you are," cried Polly with a sigh of relief. "Oh, Auntie! we
couldn't do anything without you."

"And you don't need to go into the drawing-room at all," said Mrs.
Whitney, going to the door. "Just keep behind the scenes, and get your
actors and Phronsie ready, and your mother and I will receive your
friends. Come, Mrs. Pepper."

"That is splendid," cried Polly, left behind with the maid, "now I can
get ready without flying into a flurry, Felicie; and then for Phronsie
and the rest!"

"There is a dreadful commotion in there among the audience," said