The dear little home would be lost then . When Carry roused herself from her sad reflections , she saw a crumpled note lying on the floor . She picked it up and absently smoothed it out . Seeing Patty 's name at the top she was about to lay it aside without reading it , but the lines were few , and the sense of them flashed into Carry 's brain . The note was an invitation to Clare Forbes 's party ! The Lea girls had known that the Forbes girls were going to give a party , but they had not expected that Patty would be invited . Of course , Clare Forbes was in Patty 's class at school and was always very nice and friendly with her . But then the Forbes set was not the Lea set . Carry ran upstairs to Patty 's room . `` Patty , you dropped this on the floor . I could n't help seeing what it was . Why did n't you tell me Clare had invited you ? '' `` Because I knew I could n't go , and I thought you would feel badly over that . Caddy , I wish you had n't seen it . '' `` Oh , Patty , I do wish you could go to the party . It was so sweet of Clare to invite you , and perhaps she will be offended if you do n't go -- she wo n't understand . Clare Forbes is n't a girl whose friendship is to be lightly thrown away when it is offered . '' `` I know that . But , Caddy dear , it is impossible . I do n't think that I have any foolish pride about clothes , but you know it is out of the question to think of going to Clare Forbes 's party in my last winter 's plaid dress , which is a good two inches too short and skimpy in proportion .
Putting my own feelings aside , it would be an insult XXXXX Clare .
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