"This is Janice Day. She's in my class, Mother," said Amy, rather hesitatingly, it must be confessed.
"Yes, I know her name," said Mrs. Carringford, and now Janice was near enough to take the hand of Amy's mother. "How do you do, my dear? I have seen you before. I am always glad to meet Amy's school friends."
Had it not been for the warmth of the good woman's greeting Janice would have felt that she was unwelcome at the little cottage on Mullen Lane. Amy seemed to hang back, and not invite her schoolmate into the house.
"Here is something the postman brought you, Amy," her mother went on briskly.
She reached inside the door to a shelf and brought forth an object that Janice recognized. It was the big white envelope containing the invitation to Stella Latham's party.
"Hi! I know what that is," cried Gummy, rising to look at the envelope. "Lots of the fellows got 'em. That Latham girl that lives out on the Dover pike is going to have a party. Crickey! I didn't suppose she would invite us."
"She hasn't invited you I guess," his mother told him. "It is addressed to your sister."
"Oh! I see."
Amy had flushed brightly, and her eyes sparkled. She was tearing open the envelope eagerly.
"Oh!" she sighed, "I didn't expect this. Did you get yours,
Janice?"