"I hope not," said Mrs. Dana. "Elle's head is full of her frolic. I was describing to her the molasses stew I had every Christmas, when I was a child, and nothing would do but I must promise her one for 'being a good girl.'"
"She deserves it, I know," said Ida, fondly. "I will come, Elle, if I leave fifty grown people's parties."
"Will you, too?" asked the child, going up to Josephine. Mrs. Dana pressed the invitation.
"I am not certain, but I have engaged to go somewhere else," said Josephine, smiling heartlessly into the pure little face. "If I can, I will do myself the honor, Miss Dana."
The wretched attempt at playfulness actually frightened Elle, who shrunk again to the side of her friend.
"Are you serious in promising to go to this babyish fal-lal?" snapped Josephine, the minute Mrs. Dana was gone.
"I am."
"Did not you hear that Anna Talbot is to receive company to-morrow night?"
"Yes; and I am rejoiced that Elle's invitation was earliest. There are Anna and Ellen Morris."