"Oh, I don't wear that; mamma says it is altogether too fine for a school-girl, and I must keep it till I am grown up. So I leave it safely in its box, and use this, which Aunt gave me. And to tell the truth, I like this a great deal better. But yours is lovely, Marion—just the very thing."
"Such is life," said Lizzy, assuming a tragic air; "one person riots in watches, and the next has only an eight-day clock—perhaps only a brass one which needs winding every night. Here comes Julia Parmalee. Julia, have you heard any more of the mission meeting? Are we to bring our work, or what?"
"You can bring what if you like, but I would choose the work," said Julia. "Anyhow, mother hopes you will all come prepared to stay to tea, and we want to send to all the girls who are not here. Marion, can you get word to the Bryants?"
"Yes, but they won't come. Mr. Bryant doesn't believe in giving money to foreign missions."
"What does he believe in giving money to? Does anybody know?" asked Lizzy.
"Hush, young woman! Restrain your intellect, and don't be satirical. Anyhow, Marion, we will give them the chance, and perhaps they will come for once."
"Especially if they know it is a tea-fight," said Lizzy the irrepressible.
"Lizzy, I shall ask my father to take you in hand and give you a lecture if you don't behave better. Come, now, be good. Will you undertake to tell Eliza Bridgeman? You can't say she doesn't care for missions, and she isn't here to-day."
"No, indeed! She cares for everything that is good, poor little dear! I will not only tell her of the meeting, but I will coax Miss Perkins to let her come. Now, is there anybody else?"
"Nobody that I can think of. Father will give out the notice in church this afternoon, and we shall talk it all over in school. Here comes Matty McRae; I must ask her specially. Matty, you will be sure to come to the meeting at our house Saturday, won't you, and please tell all the district school girls?"