"Yes, and one sort is playing 'Authors'; come on, and have a game, will you, Father?"
"I'll give you half an hour," said Mr. Maynard, looking at his watch. "That's all I can spare for my wild Indians this evening."
"Goody!" cried Midget, "half an hour is quite a lot. Come on, King and Kit. Will you play, Mother?"
"Not now, I have some things I must attend to. I'll take Father's place when his half-hour is up."
So they settled down to "Authors," which was one of their favorite games, and of which they never tired. "Delight would like this," said Marjorie, as she took a trick; "she's fond of quiet games. Mother, may I go over to-morrow afternoon and make valentines with her?"
"Yes, if you like, dearie," replied Mrs. Maynard.
"No, Kitty, I want you at home to-morrow. The seamstress will be cutting your new frock, and you must be here to try it on when she wants you."
"All right, Mother. May I ask Dorothy here, then?"
"Yes, if you like. But you must stay in the house."
The Maynards were obedient children, and though sometimes disappointed, never demurred at their parents' decrees. They had long ago learned that such demurring would do no good, and that to obey pleasantly made things pleasanter all round.
After luncheon the next day, Marjorie got ready to go to spend the afternoon with Delight.
She wore her new plaid dress trimmed with black velvet and gilt buttons, and as red was the prevailing color in the plaid, her dark curls were tied up with a big red bow.
Very pretty she looked as she came for her mother's inspection.
"Yes, Midget mine; you look as spick and span as a nice little Queen of Sheba. Now don't slide down the banisters, or do anything hoydenish. Try to behave more as Delight does."
"Oh, I'm bound to be good over there. And making valentines is nice, quiet work. May I stay till six, Mother?"
"No, come home at half-past five. That's late enough for little Queens of Sheba to stay away from their mothers."
"All right, I'll skip at five-thirty. Good-bye, Mothery dearie."
With a kiss and a squeeze Marjorie was off, and Mrs. Maynard watched her from the window, until she disappeared through the Spencers' doorway.
"I'm so glad to see you!" said Delight, as Marjorie came dancing into her room. "Everything's all ready. You sit over there."
