has just popped into my mind."

So the two girls put their heads together and held a long, mysterious
confabulation. What it was about, we shall see farther on.

Valentine's-Day was the next Friday. When the children came home from
school on Thursday afternoon, Aunt Izzie met them, and, to their great
surprise, told them that Cecy was come to drink tea, and they must all
go up stairs and be made nice.

"But Cecy comes most every day," remarked Dorry, who didn't see the
connection between this fact and having his face washed.

"Yes--but to-night you are to take tea in Katy's room," said Aunt Izzie;
"here are the invitations: one for each of you."

Sure enough, there was a neat little note for each, requesting the
pleasure of their company at "Queen Katharine's Palace," that afternoon,
at six o'clock.

This put quite a different aspect on the affair. The children scampered
up stairs, and pretty soon, all nicely brushed and washed, they were
knocking formally at the door of the "Palace." How fine it sounded!

The room looked bright and inviting. Katy, in her chair, sat close to
the fire, Cecy was beside her, and there was a round table all set out
with a white cloth and mugs of milk and biscuit, and strawberry-Jam and
doughnuts. In the middle was a loaf of frosted cake. There was something
on the icing which looked like pink letters, and Clover, leaning
forward, read aloud, "St. Valentine."