knowledge and understanding many things that used to be dark and
incomprehensible to me and that seem plain now. I rejoice that I am
able to think and speak English," and Renestine turned her head toward
her sister and her eyes were moist. "You are very good to me, Aldine,
and besides you are spoiling me with all the pretty dresses you make
for me."

"Oh, do come in right after dinner and look at your dress for
to-night. It is just lovely with the little rosebuds around the
shoulders," said Mrs. Bilter.

It did not take long before the three were admiring the fluffy
white dress and predicting its success at the ball.

Renestine hurried home after school and sat down by the side of
her sister to help sew rosebuds on the flounces of the wide skirt.
When the dress was finished Renestine took it to her room and pinned
it up on the curtains of her bed to look at it and get the effect of
it. Then she got out her little white satin slippers and began the
ceremony of the toilette for the ball.



Carriages were coming and going before the brilliantly lighted
Colonial house owned by the Good Fellowship Club. The colored drivers
sat proud and erect on their boxes and held in their restive horses
while their masters and mistresses alighted. Young dandies in ruffled
shirts and flowered velvet waistcoats came on foot and sprang eagerly
up the steps and vanished through the double doors swung back by
colored attendants. Strains of music reached the street and ceased