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180 light that stove after all! She's growing more careless every day!"

They were in the sewing-room now. Lucretia lifted her suit-case onto the only empty chair, and began unbuckling the straps.

"How are the children?" she asked.

"Oh, all right. They're simply crazy to see you. They're up in the playroom. I promised them if they'd keep out of the way just this afternoon, that perhaps Aunt Cretia would put them to bed. Would you, Lu? You see, Martha's helping in the kitchen. I've been working all day long like a dog myself. It's the most important dinner I've ever given."

"Of course I'll put the kiddies to bed," smiled Lucretia. "I'd be glad to, if I can crawl in pretty soon after, myself."

"I'm afraid you can't do that, Lu. You see, this noon that irresponsible Miriam Farnley telephoned that the doctor would not let her come out in such a rain—tonsilitis or some such harmless thing! Anyhow, there I was, a girl short, at twelve o'clock! I telephoned to six different people, and not one could I get. Then I thought of you. I know you don't go to big dinners, and I never make you, I'm sure; but this time I simply must have your help. I'm going to give you queer old Professor Blake, who thought you were