Annie Kilburn

Miss Northwick joined her friends carelessly.

"Ah, Miss Kilburn," said Mr. Brandreth's voice at Annie's ear, "I'm glad

to find you. I've just run home with mother--she feels the night air--and

I was afraid you would slip through our fingers before I got back. This

little business of the refreshments was an afterthought of Mrs. Munger's,

and we meant it for a surprise--we knew you'd approve of it in the form it

took." He looked round at the straggling workpeople, who represented the

harmonisation of classes, keeping to themselves as if they had been there

alone.

"Yes," Annie was obliged to say; "it's very pleasant." She added: "You must

all be rather hungry, Mr. Brandreth. If the Social Union ever gets on its

feet, it will have _you_ to thank more than any one."

"Oh, don't speak of me, Miss Kilburn! Do you know, we've netted about two

hundred dollars. Isn't that pretty good, doctor?"

"Very," said the doctor. "Hadn't we better follow Mrs. Wilmington's

example, and get up under the piazza roof? I'm afraid you'll be the worse

for the night air, Miss Kilburn. Putney," he called to his friend, "we're

going up to the house."

"All right. I guess that's a good idea."

The doctor called to the different knots and groups, telling them to come

up to the house. Some of the workpeople slipped away through the grounds

and did not come. The Northwicks and their friends moved toward the house.

Mrs. Munger came down the lawn to meet her guests. "Ah, that's right. It's

much better indoors. I was just coming for you." She addressed herself more

particularly to the Northwicks. "Coffee will be ready in a few moments.

We've met with a little delay."

"I'm afraid we must say good night at once," said Mr. Northwick. "We had

arranged to have our friends and some other guests with us at home. And

we're quite late now."

Mrs. Munger protested. "Take our Juliet from us! Oh, Miss Northwick, how

can I thank you enough? The whole play turned upon you!"

"It's just as well," she said to Annie, as the Northwicks and their friends

walked across the lawn to the gate, where they had carriages waiting.

"They'd have been difficult to manage, and everybody else will feel a

little more at home without them. Poor Mr. Brandreth, I'm sure _you_

will! I did pity you so, with such a Juliet on your hands!"