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 hath heard already that Colonel Hamilton be planning some routs and assemblies. Would it not be wonderful!"

"Wonderful!" echoed Charity. "Oh, John, think ye Mother will let us go?"

"Why not?" asked John Condit kindly. "Besides helping poor Cousin Eliza, who hath always been good to us, I, myself, think it would be very nice to ha' my two little sisters comparatively near me for awhile."

"Then ye will help us to gain Mother's permission?" Mehitable looked at him eagerly.

"Aye," answered John laughingly, "if you think my word counts more than yours wi' our mother."

"It does!" answered Mehitable simply. "Mother thinks ye be almost perfect!"

"Nay," said John, laughing still more, "I've do not give our mother credit for good sense, Hitty, an ye say that!"

Tis true," returned Mehitable, "laugh as ye may, John. Mothers always like their sons better, I think," she added reflectively. "I shall, I know!"

"Hitty!" said Charity's shocked voice. Whereupon they all fell to laughing foolishly and happily.

The rest of the journey home beneath the bright stars, with the cold, crisp air reddening cheeks and—it must be admitted—noses as well, was made concocting all sorts of hilarious plans.