"Whoever heard of proud little Daffydowndilly Thayer crying like an ordinary mortal ?" Grace went on soothing Arline in this half-serious fashion, which presently had its effect.
"You are so comforting, Grace," sighed Arline, as she rose from the steps, an expression of gratitude in her pretty blue eyes.

"Can't you walk over to the house with me?
I want you to hear my plan and tell me what you think of it." "I could put off my library business until to-morrow," reflected Grace, smiling a little.

"It will be a case of doing as I please instead of doing as I ought.

Still, as a loyal member of Semper Fidelis it is my duty to comfort my sorrowing comrades.

Don't you think so ?" Arline laughed an almost happy response to Grace's question.
"But I mustn't stay long," warned Grace a little later, as, seated opposite Arline in the latter's room, she awaited the unfolding of Arline's "inspiration." "I'm going to stay here for Christmas," announced Arline with the finality of one who knows her own mind.