`` Miss Price ? '' repeated Frances slowly . `` Why , Mother , we hardly know her . She is dreadfully dull and quiet , I think . '' `` And so shy , '' said Alma . `` Why , at the Wards ' party the other night she looked startled to death if anyone spoke to her . I believe she would be frightened to come here for Thanksgiving . '' `` She is a very lonely little creature , '' said Mrs. Allen gently , `` and does n't seem to have anyone belonging to her . I think she would be very glad to get an invitation to spend Thanksgiving elsewhere than in that cheerless little boarding-house where she lives . '' `` Of course , if you would like to have her , Mother , we will ask her , '' said Frances . `` No , girls , '' said Mrs. Allen seriously . `` You must not ask Miss Price on my account , if you do not feel prepared to make her welcome for her own sake . I had hoped that your own kind hearts might have prompted you to extend a little Thanksgiving cheer in a truly Thanksgiving spirit to a lonely , hard-working girl whose life I do not think is a happy one . But there , I shall not preach . This is your dinner , and you must please yourselves as to your guests . '' Frances and Alma had both flushed , and they now remained silent for a few minutes . Then Frances sprang up and threw her arms around her mother . `` You 're right , Mother dear , as you always are , and we are very selfish girls . We will ask Miss Price and try to give her a nice time . I 'll go down this very evening and see her . ''
* * * * * In the grey twilight of the chilly autumn evening Bertha Price walked home XXXXX her boarding-house , her pale little face paler , and her grey eyes sadder than ever , in the fading light .
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