I have just one remark to make.

Be very diplomatic, Arline.

If any of these girls who can't afford to go home for the holidays were even to imagine themselves objects of charity, your dinner plan would be a failure.
Don't tell a soul about it except Ruth." "I know," nodded Arline wisely.

"I had thought of that, too.

Never fear, I won't breathe it to another soul." "My half hour is more than up," exclaimed Grace ruefully, glancing toward the little French clock on Arline's chiffonier.