Mrs. Albright was in the corner room.

“I will deliver these now,” she said, “before it is time for Miss Sniffen.”

“I’m afraid she’ll catch you in there some day,” Polly told her with a troubled little nod.  “What if she should!”

Mrs. Albright laughed softly.  “When I hear anybody coming I slip into the closet—­I have done that several times already!  I do hope this letter will do Miss Twining good.  It looks like a man’s handwriting.”

Juanita Sterling looked doubtfully at the address on her own envelope, then she ran a paper-cutter under the flap.

“An invitation from Mrs. Dick for us all to spend to-day with her!” she announced disinterestedly.

“Oh, let’s go!” cried Polly.

“Shall we walk or fly?” The tone was not encouraging.

“Ride,” answered Polly promptly.

“Perhaps you can’t get the cars.”

“Perhaps I can!” was the retort.  “You don’t want to go—­that’s what!”

“I am not hankering for it,” smiled Miss Sterling dubiously.

“It will do you good,” Polly decided.  “The more you get out of this atmosphere, the better.  I’ll run home and do some telephoning!  Will you ask the others, Miss Nita?  Or wait!  We don’t know yet how many can go.”

Polly was off in a whirl, and for the next half-hour bells rang, wires snapped and buzzed, feet flew, and tongues were busy.  Then Polly returned to say that they could have three cars which would seat fourteen besides the drivers.

Miss Crilly was there and heard the news with delight.

“I’ll run round and ask ’em!  Shall I?”

“Yes, please,” answered Polly.  “Take as many of the ladies as would like to go.  We children can stay at home if there isn’t room.

“Count me out, for one,” said Miss Sterling quickly.

“No, count her in!” ordered Polly.

Miss Crilly laughed.  “Sure!” she agreed.  “I’ll find out who wants to go.  You wait, Polly.  ’T won’t take long.”

She was as quick as her promise, but her face was doleful.

“Every blessed one is crazy to go, except Mrs. Crump and Mrs. Post and Miss Leatherland.  What can we do!”

Polly counted up.  “That makes twelve of you, so Patricia and Leonora can go.  David and I will stay home.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” Miss Sterling’s tone was firm.  “I’ll send Polly in my stead.”

“Polly won’t go!” she laughed.  “You’re the one that received the invitation, and the idea of your staying behind!  David is coming up, anyway, and we’re to play duets if we can’t go; so we’ll be all right.”

Miss Sterling gave Polly a quick glance of surprise, and Polly threw back a smile, just as Mrs. Albright appeared.

“What time are we going?” she asked.  “I have my dress to mend.”

“Our car won’t be at liberty this forenoon,” answered Polly.  “Father needs it.  But we can start right after luncheon.  Will one o’clock do?”