"How I wish they were mine!" They mustered only five when they started--the three girls, Pat, and Avery herself; but ere they had reached the end of the lane the two elder boys leapt the Vicarage wall with a whoop of triumph and joined them.

The party became at once uproariously gay.

Everyone talked at the same time, even Jeanie becoming animated.

Avery rejoiced to see the pretty face flushed and merry.

She had begun to feel twinges of anxiety about Jeanie lately.