"While others are not?" questioned the stranger, with an odd smile.
"I'd rather not say just that," Mrs. Vinton said, "but I will say that Mrs. Dainty's little daughter, and Dorothy's little friend, Nancy, and Flossie Barnet, are three of the sweetest children I have ever met. My stay here is brighter and far pleasanter because they are also here."
"Dorothy Dainty is an unusually fine singer for a child," another lady said, "and she is to sing for us to-night. I believe Nancy Ferris is to do something, but I do not know what. Does any one know if Nancy sings?"
"I've not the least idea what her talent is," said a pleasant-voiced matron, "but she is such a bright, interesting child that I feel sure that whatever she is able to do at all, she will do exceedingly well."
"Aunt Vera is to play a solo for the first number," said little Flossie Barnet, to a lady who sat near her.
"That is delightful," said the lady, "and what are you to do?"
"Oh, I'll listen, and listen," said Flossie, "and then, I'll clap to show how much I liked what the people did."
"And your friend Dorothy is to sing," said the lady, "do you know what Nancy does?"
"Oh, yes, I do!" cried Flossie, "and she does it so lovely, you'll wonder how she could! I'm not to tell what she'll do, none of us are to tell. You'll see when she does it!"
"Dear little girl, you seem quite as happy as if you were to be a soloist," said the lady.