"Oh no, Papa, it isn't that--only we've been having a feast in
the loft."

"Did you have a good time?" asked Papa, while Aunt Izzie gave a
dissatisfied groan. And all the children answered at once:
"Splendiferous!"




CHAPTER VI

INTIMATE FRIENDS


"Aunt Izzie, may I ask Imogen Clark to spend the day here on Saturday?"
cried Katy, bursting in one afternoon.

"Who on earth is Imogen Clark? I never heard the name before,"
replied her aunt.

"Oh, the _loveliest_ girl! She hasn't been going to Mrs. Knight's school
but a little while, but we're the greatest friends. And she's perfectly
beautiful, Aunt Izzie. Her hands are just as white as snow, and no
bigger than _that_. She's got the littlest waist of any girl in school,
and she's real sweet, and so self-denying and unselfish! I don't believe
she has a bit good times at home, either. Do let me ask her!"

"How do you know she's so sweet and self-denying, if you've known her