Lloyd's hand, groping along under the table, found Ida's and gave it a squeeze of sympathetic delight.
"There's something to write to your aunt," she whispered. While the girls were still admiring their blotters, the maid came in to announce a visitor for Mrs. Walton in the library.
Several minutes after she had left them to themselves, Kitty exclaimed, "Oh, mamma forgot to give me those little brass clamps to fasten the candle-shades, and now she has company, and I haven't the faintest idea where to look for them."
"They may be in the hat-rack drawer in the hall," suggested Allison. "I think I saw them in there this morning, but I am not sure."
Kitty skipped out of the room to look for them, and a few minutes later came back, her black eyes shining teasingly.
"I have a trade-last for you, Ida," she said. "Mrs. Mallard is in the library, discussing our club, and I heard mother say something awfully nice about you."
"Tell it!" demanded Lloyd.
"No, I said a trade-last."
"Oh, fishing for a compliment!" sang Katie. "Don't tell her, Ida, even if you have heard one. It will make her vain."
"Besides," put in Allison, "Miss Bina McCannister said it was common and silly to play trade-last."