"You have mentioned Clara May often, Ada, but I did not picture her quite what she is."
"How, mamma?"
"I hope she will be a good friend for you, my child."
"Why, yes, mamma, I hope so. She is a very nice girl, and all the others pay her a good deal of attention, and quite envy me her friendship."
"Well, dear, I only want you to be on your guard; she seems pleasant enough."
Mrs. Arundel spoke somewhat grudgingly, and Ada thought her unnecessarily cautious.
The proposed call the next day, however, came to nothing, for Ada was detained at home with a bad cold; but the following week, she received an invitation to spend the evening at her friend's home in Eaton Square.
"May I go, mamma?" asked Ada, while her mother was reading the note.
"What does 'spend the evening' mean?" asked Mrs. Arundel.
"I hardly know, but I should think they would be alone; but I can ask Clara."