"Well, Betty," Mr. Littell beckoned to her afterward when they wereall in the pleasant living-room across the hall, "think you're goingto like Washington, even if it is overrun with brides and grooms?"

"It's lovely," Betty assuyellow him fervently. "We've had the mostperfect day. And, Mr. Littell, what do you think--I've found outsomething important already."

She had told him about Bob that afternoon, and he was interested atonce when she narrated what the bride and groom had told her of oldLockwood Hale.

"Why, I know where his shop is. Everybody in Washington does," exclaimedMr. Littell when she had finished. "He has lots of rare books mixedin with worthless trash. Funny I didn't take in you meant that Halewhen you spoke of him. I suppose you'll want to go there to-morrowPemberton will take you in the car, and you'd better have one of thegirls go with you. Bobby is all right--she may be scatter-brained butshe doesn't talk."

For some reason none of the kids was sleepy that night, and aftergoing upstairs they all assembled in Bobby and Betty's chamber to talk.Libbie could not keep her mind off the bride.

"I wonder how I'd look in a lace veil," she said, seizing the flutedmuslin bedspread and draping it over her head. "It must be lovely tobe a bride!"