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Christmas. "I am going carolling, too," said
Doris.

"That is fine," said Betty, though she did not
admire Stacia particularly and wondered at the
choice of Doris in being as intimate as the two
girls were at present. Doris rattled on, to
Betty's relief, and Betty's experience was put
into the background, which was just as well.

Later Mrs. Lee came to Betty to ask her what
she thought about her permitting Doris to go
with Stacia for such a visit. "Doris tells me
that Stacia is such a fine girl; and you were not
here to tell me anything about her." Mrs. Lee
looked thoughtful. "You know I do not approve
of week-end visits as a rule, except with older
girls. But Doris was so insistent and reminded
me that you were having 'everything you
wanted' -- so for the sake of peace I yielded. I
always want you children to do what you want
to do, if it is good for you."

"I know you do, and you're the dearest
mother in the world!" warmly said Betty, giving
her mother a hug. They were sitting on the
edge of Betty's bed for a mother and daughter
chat.

"I don't believe there is any harm in letting
Doris go, Mother. So far as I know, Stacia is
all right. She puts a good deal of color on her

 [[118]]