Colonel Allen and aunt Madge were standing together, and Mr.Hayden in front of them.

The guests were looking at _them_, not at Miss Dotty Dimple! Mr.Hayden began to talk very solemnly--almost like preaching.

No one else spoke; no one smiled.

Before Dotty could ask what they were doing, Mr.Hayden was praying; and after the prayer, which was so hearty and simple that Dotty could almost understand it, the whole room was in motion again.

Everybody seemed suddenly bent on kissing aunt Madge, though what that young lady had been doing which was better than usual Dotty could not exactly make out.