"Oh, yes, thank her too. She was kind and pleasant,--only,--well, it seems mean to say so,--but, Mother, she is a little selfish. I didn't mind, really; only I don't think it's quite nice to be selfish to a guest."
"Perhaps not, Mar; one; but neither is it nice to criticise your little hostess."
Marjorie flushed. "I didn't mean to, Mother," she said; "but I thought it didn't count when I'm just talking to you."
"That's right, dearie; always say anything you choose to Mother, but don't criticise Delight to anybody else."
"No, Mother, I won't," and Midge gave her mother one of her biggest "bear-hugs" and then wandered off in search of Kitty.
"What are you doing, Kit?" she said, as she found her sister sitting on the big hall settle, looking out of the window.
"Waiting for Dorothy. She's coming this afternoon, and we're going to play paper dolls."
Marjorie must have looked a little disappointed, for Kitty said:
"Say, Mops, why don't you take Delight for your friend in Glad's place? It's so nice to have a friend all your own."
"I know it is, Kit," and Midget sat down beside her sister, "but somehow it seems sort of mean to put anybody in Gladys's place."
"Oh, pshaw! it doesn't either. And when Glad is so far away, too. She doesn't even write to you, does she?"
"Not for a long time. But that doesn't matter. She's my friend, and I'm not going to put anybody else in her place."
Kitty grew exasperated at this foolishness, as it seemed to her, and said:
"Well, then don't put her in Glad's place. Keep her old place empty. But take Delight as a sort of, what do you call it? Substitute friend, and let her come over here to play, same as Dorothy comes to play with me."
"I'd like to do that," said Midge. "I'm awfully glad to have Delight with me, and I know she likes me."
"Then go and telephone her now. Ask her to come over, and play."
"No, not now, 'cause mother is over there, and I'd rather wait till she comes home. Let's all play together to-day."
Dorothy Adams came in, very glad to see Midget again, whom she liked almost as much as she did Kitty. She took off her things, and the girls drifted into the living-room, where King sat reading.
He had a band of red ribbon round his head, in which were stuck a dozen large turkey feathers, giving him a startling appearance.