she had not been introduced and of whose credentials she was not quite certain was far from her usual social usage. But she regarded the cause which she represented more important than any personal inconvenience and the friendly reception given her by Carmelita and the whole-hearted interest she was showing were reassuring Carmelita, at the mention of Rao-Singh, began to catch a glimmer of what was coming. He had sent them to her.
"We have called upon Prince Rao-Singh," continued Mrs. Peabody, "with a view to securing the grounds for the Fête again this year and he has not only consented to our use of them but has agreed to coöperate with us in every way possible and to attend to the matter of decoration himself. He made only one condition. And that was that we persuade you, Mrs. Drake, to serve upon the committee in charge of the affair, which now consists of Mr. Howard Church, of the Traders' Trust Company, Mrs. Hurd and myself. We agreed to this at once and we are here to ask you to donate your services."
The proposition, aside from the distinguished source from which it came, appealed to Carmelita at once. For the first time since their acquaintance she felt unreservedly kindly toward Rao-Singh for having introduced her
