“Will she come right over?”

“If they’ll let her.  I presume they will.”

“If they don’t, I’ll make a fuss!” threatened Polly.  “I’ll go after Mr. Randolph.”

Miss Sterling laughed.  “You won’t have to do that.”

“You haven’t ever found out what he wanted to talk with you about over the wire, have you?” Polly asked.

“No, and I never shall.”  Miss Sterling’s lips took a sorrowful droop.

“You will, too!  I’ll ask him myself some day!”

“No, no, you mustn’t!”

“You’ll see!” Polly laughed and said a soft “Good-bye!”

Miss Sterling motioned her back.

“Be sure to come over to-morrow morning and tell me all about it!” she whispered.

Polly returned earlier.  She appeared at four o’clock.

“I couldn’t wait another minute!” she said.  “The two dears are sitting out on the veranda, up in the corner where the vines hide them from the street, and their heads are close together and they are talking earnestly in that queer lingo that nobody else understands!  Oh, they are having the loveliest time!  They were at our house to luncheon, both of them, and they’re going to stay to dinner!  He will take the 7.30 train for New York.  We’ve all enjoyed it so much!  Father and he just took to each other.  You ought to have heard them talk!  I believe he knows every book that ever was written!  We had such fun!  Father and mother never saw Mrs. Adlerfeld very much, and they think she is just charming.  They used to go to school together in Sweden.  His wife died three years ago, and he has a son and daughter, both married.  The daughter lives in Stockholm and the son in Newark.  Mr. Von Dalin is librarian in one of the big libraries—­oh, I wish you could see him!  Dear me, I must run back, for they may want something!”

Without doubt Polly was extraordinarily excited.

CHAPTER XIX

“A moonshine party”

“Next Tuesday is Miss Lily’s birthday!” Polly made the announcement in lowered tones.

“How old is she?” asked Miss Sterling.

“I don’t know.  Doodles told me when he was down the last time.  You know he wrote out her application, and I suppose he had to give the date.  He said wouldn’t it be nice if we could celebrate it.”

“But how?  Celebrations and June Holiday Home are not on speaking terms.”

“Well, Doodles proposed that we all come up to his house, and his mother would make a birthday cake.  But we shouldn’t let them do it all.  Mother would furnish the salad and some of the other things.  Then, I don’t doubt Patricia would help, and Leonora and David.”

“I wish I could.”  Miss Sterling shook her head sadly.

“Now, Miss Nita, don’t you feel that way!  If you do, I’ll give it all up!”

“But I may be sorry, mayn’t I, that I can’t help anything along?”