"I'd like to go if mother says so," said Winifred, rather pleased at the prospect of this little change.
"Oh, that's all right; everything is arranged, and here comes your mother to speak for herself."
Winifred turned eagerly to Mrs. Hamilton, who had just entered the room.
"Mother, Aunt Estelle wants me to go home with her to spend the night. May I go?"
"Yes, dear," said her mother, smiling, "I should like to have you go. I expect to be very busy this afternoon, and Aunt Estelle says Uncle Will wants to see you very much."
"Norah is cleaning silver to-day," Mrs. Meredith said, as she rose to go. "You should have seen her face when I told her I was coming for you."
Winifred looked flattered.
"I always helped Norah clean silver," she said, "and sometimes I used to read to her. I'll take 'Denise and Ned Toodles' and read this afternoon."
The matter having been thus arranged, Mrs. Meredith hurried away to do her errands, promising to return for Winifred in a couple of hours.
"You're sure you won't miss me very much, mother," Winifred said anxiously, as she was bidding her mother good-bye. "It's only for one night, you know, and that is quite different from going away for a real visit."