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           —CarriesentoutinvitationstoGowing,theCummings,toMr.andMrs.James(ofSutton),andMr.Stillbrook.IwroteanotetoMr.Franching,ofPeckham.CarriesaidweMayaswellmakeitaniceaffair,andwhynotaskourprincipal,Mr.Perkupp?IsaidIfearedwewerenotquitegrandenoughforhim.Carriesaidtherewas“nooffenceinaskinghim.”Isaid:“Certainlynot,”andIwrotehimaletter.CarrieconfessedshewasalittledisappointedwithDaisyMutlar’sappearance,butthoughtsheseemedanicegirl.

           November14.—Everybodysofarhasacceptedforourquitegrandlittlepartyfortomorrow.Mr.Perkupp,inaniceletterwhichIshallkeep,wrotethathewasdininginKensington,butifhecouldgetaway,hewouldcomeuptoHollowayforanhour.Carriewasbusyallday,makinglittlecakesandopenjampuffsandjellies.Shesaidshefeltquitenervousaboutherresponsibilitiestomorrowevening.Wedecidedtohavesomelightthingsonthetable,suchassandwiches,coldchickenandham,andsomesweets,andonthesideboardanicepieceofcoldbeefandaPaysandutongue—forthemorehungryonestopegintoiftheyliked.

           Gowingcalledtoknowifhewastoputon“swallow-tails”tomorrow.Carriesaidhehadbetterdress,especiallyasMr.Franchingwascoming,andtherewasapossibilityofMr.Perkuppalsoputtinginanappearance.

           Gowingsaid:“Oh,Ionlywantedtoknow,forIhavenotwornmydress-coatforsometime,andImustsendittohavethecreasespressedout