XII

           ONEafternoontowardtheendofAugustagroupofgirlssatinaroomatMissHatchard’sinagayconfusionofflags,turkey-red,blueandwhitepapermuslin,harvestsheavesandilluminatedscrolls.

           NorthDormerwaspreparingforitsOldHomeWeek.Thatformofsentimentaldecentralizationwasstillinitsearlystages,and,precedentsbeingfew,andthedesiretosetanexamplecontagious,thematterhadbecomeasubjectofprolongedandpassionatediscussionunderMissHatchard’sroof.TheincentivetothecelebrationhadcomeratherfromthosewhohadleftNorthDormerthanfromthosewhohadbeenobligedtostaythere,andtherewassomedifficultyinrousingthevillagetotheproperstateofenthusiasm.ButMissHatchard’spaleprimdrawing-roomwasthecentreofconstantcomingsandgoingsfromHepburn,Nettleton,Springfieldandevenmoredistantcities;andwheneveravisitorarrivedhewasledacrossthehall,andtreatedtoaglimpseofthegroupofgirlsdeepintheirprettypreparations.

           “Alltheoldnames...alltheoldnames....”MissHatchardwouldbeheard,tappingacrossthehallonhercrutches.“Targatt...Sollas...Fry:thisisMissOrmaFrysewingthestarsonthedraperyfortheorgan-loft.Don’tmove,girls...andthisisMissAllyHawes,ourcleverestneedle-woman...andMissCharityRoyallmakingourgarlandsofevergreen....