herself and helped to gather up the precious
materials and scraps, distributing them to one
and another of the girls. Thimbles were put
away and sewing bags laid upon the tables while
the conversation did not wane. The girls
selected by Lucia to help her were chiefly for
ornament; for Mathilde sat at the decorated
table in the dining room, to pour chocolate from
a silver urn, and the other girls passed the first
plates and then sat down, with the rest about
the room, to enjoy their own. The careful butler
and several maids appeared to do the rest of
it, though Lucia and the other girls passed cakes
from pretty containers on the table, for a second
time. It was all most delightful and from
Lucia's standpoint very informal.

The countess came home early and was again
gracious enough to appear and speed the
parting guests, standing by Lucia as the girls
thanked her for their good time as well as for
her help to the group. “We are certainly de-
lighted, Lucia,” said Lilian Norris, “that you
have come into Lyon 'Y' and hope you'll not
regret it. We'll not ask too much of you. This
has been wonderful.”

“It does not hurt any of us, my dear,” said
Countess Coletti, “to try to help a little.”

[[113]]

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