We can't let all our time be frittered away by idle friends, but we can generally manage tactfully without offending them.

Don't look so woe-begone, childie! Nobody else is coming to-night, and I promise you tea in the woods to-morrow." "By ourselves ?" "Unless anyone very nice comes over to join us," put in Quenrede quickly.
"You girls shall give the invitations.

I won't bring any middle-aged people," laughed Mother, with a sly glance at Quenrede.
The party in the bluebell woods on Saturday was entirely a family one, with the exception of Mr.Broughten, who rode over on a motor-bicycle ostensibly to lend some microscopic slides to Athelstane, though Ingred suspected there was another attraction in the visit.

Quenrede, who professed great surprise, gave him a guarded welcome.
"After all the fuss you made about my manners yesterday, you might have seemed more glad to see him," sniffed Ingred critically.
"Might I?
Well, really, I think I'm going to hang a label round my neck: 'Pleased to meet you! Let 'em all come!' It would save trouble.

Stick tight to me when we're gathering bluebells.