Ill think it over and let you know to-night." But I was surprised that night to have Mother say I could go, for I'd about given up hope, after all that talk at the breakfast-table.

And she said something else that surprised me, too.

She said she'd like to know Paul Mayhew herself; that she always wanted to know the friends of her little girl.

And she told me to ask him to call the next evening and play checkers or chess with me.
Happy?
I could scarcely contain myself for joy.

And when the next evening came bringing Paul, and Mother, all prettily dressed as if he were really truly company, came into the room and talked so beautifully to him, I was even more entranced.