"Well, we saw Eva Louise from the window, and Val said—at least we both thought we would go down and see her. And then on the way I told Val I was so sorry for them, and would like to have a party for them, and he said—at least we both thought it would be very nice to ask them over, and I remembered about that feast in the Bible. Don't you remember, Aunt Caroline, where people are told what kind of parties to give? Perhaps you have never read just that part of the Bible, for you never do give that kind of a party. Your people are all so rich and come in carriages, but it really does say somewhere something about inviting the poor and the lame and the halt and the blind. Well, of course I know the Bradys are poor, and I thought very likely they were halt, and so I decided to ask them."
Miss Herrick was becoming interested in spite of herself. There was something very original about her niece, she thought, and she certainly was beautiful to look at as she stood before her with the earnest look in her great dark eyes, and her high-bred manner of carrying her head.
"Continue," she said, as Elizabeth paused for breath.
"There is not much more to tell except that Val went out and got the things to eat. Of course we had to give them something to eat, Aunt Caroline, and we didn't like to ask the servants."
"And where were the servants all this time?"
"I don't exactly know."
"This must be looked into. I leave you in Marie's charge when Miss Rice is not here."
"I never see much of Marie," remarked Elizabeth, composedly.
"You should have told me of this before. But where did you have the party? In which room?"
Again there was silence. Elizabeth looked once more to Valentine for assistance, but none was forth-coming. A faint color spread over her face and she clasped her hands tightly behind her back, but she gazed steadfastly into her aunt's eyes as she replied, "In the locked room."