As Grace carelessly mentioned the name she saw an expression of pain flit across Mrs. Allison's fine face.
"I shall be glad to see Miss Bright," she said quietly. "Is the 'Mabel' you speak of her sister?"
"No," replied Grace hastily, "she is a girl friend. May we bring her with us?"
"Do so by all means," rejoined Mrs. Allison. "She bears the name I love best in all the world." An expression of deep sadness crept into her face as she uttered these words, and she looked past her callers with unseeing eyes. "Good-bye, Mrs. Allison," said Grace, and the older woman roused herself with a start.
"Good-bye, my dears," she responded. "Be sure to come to me on Tuesday."
"We'll be here," chorused the three girls. "Take good care of yourself."
Not a word was spoken until they reached the street.
"Well!" exclaimed Grace. "What do you think of the whole thing?"
"I think there are several people due to get a shock," said Nora emphatically.
"I am sorry for Jessica," said Anne. "It will be very hard for her to give Mabel up."