After Emma had left them to go to her work, Grace and Elfreda had a long confidential conversation over their coffee.

The noon train brought Mabel Ashe, Arline and Ruth, while from off the afternoon trains stepped Anne and Miriam, the smiling Emerson twins, Elizabeth Wade, Marian Cummings and Elsie Wilton.
It was a congenial and talkative company that, as Elfreda's guests, graced Vinton's at six o'clock dinner that night.

Kathleen West, who had been prevailed upon to spend at least one Thanksgiving at Overton, instead of on duty on her paper, was one of three guests of honor, Mabel Ashe and Patience Eliot were the others.

By special arrangement a table that would seat fifteen persons had been set in their favorite rendezvous, the mission alcove.

Elfreda, Grace, Anne and Miriam, rejoicing in their reunion, had made a tour of the stores together that afternoon, and gleefully carrying the fruits of their shopping to Vinton's had decorated the table with flowers, ribbons and funny little favors.
The Overton girls that happened to drop into Vinton's that night smiled appreciatively at the gay little company in the alcove.