"Can't anybody play with her?"

Mrs. Merrill reminded him of Junior's shower bath and of her command that
Mary Jane should have no more guests till she had learned how to treat
them. "I've been too busy this morning to give any lessons in treating
guests," she added, "but I had planned to have a first rate lesson this
afternoon. I had planned to take Mary Jane calling with me; then she could
see just what good times folks can have and still be kind and polite. How
would you like to go calling with me, Mary Jane?"

"Really?" exclaimed Mary Jane who could hardly believe her good luck;
"really truly, grown-up-lady calling, mother?"

"Really truly," said mother, "but wait a minute. Do you think you could
leave Dorothy at home? I wouldn't care to take two little girls at once."

"Oh, yes," replied Mary Jane who was suddenly anxious to oblige, "I could
leave her home and I think maybe, while I was gone she might go away on the
train to--to--see her Aunt Effie, don't you think she might?"

"Indeed I do," said Mrs. Merrill. "It wouldn't surprise me a bit to find
her gone when we came back. Now eat your lunch, Mary Jane, and then we'll
go upstairs and rest a bit before we dress to make our calls. We'll have a
beautiful afternoon and you'll see just how nicely folks treat other folks
when they come to visit. And remember, dear, if you had treated Junior as
kindly as you treat Dorothy, you could have had all the company that came."

"I am remembering it," said Mary Jane meekly, "and, mother, may I wear my
pink dress with the smocking and the pink ribbons?"