wever, went to Mrs. Bywank. 'What do you want,
Dingee?'

Dingee advanced and laid a card on the table.

'Say I am at breakfast. I cannot be expected to keep awake all
night and all day too.'

'Permit me to inquire,' said Rollo, as he also attacked the
grapes, but not looking at them, 'whether you did your share
of growling this morning? I am sure no one had more cause.'

'No,' said the girl, laughing. 'I feel that I have a great
reserve in store for somebody. Well, Dingee?'

A card with a written message this time. Hazel looked at it,
drew her brows together, and, seizing a pencil, wrote a
vigorous 'No,' across the lines.

'For somebody,' Rollo repeated. 'I am not sure that we got
hold of the right delinquent. After all, peaches are the best
thing after waffles and coffee. Try that.' And he placed a
fine one alongside of Wych Hazel's plate.

'The thing is,' said Hazel, 'that unless you can growl with
authority, nobody marks you.'

'General Merrick and Major Seaton, Missee Hazel, ma'am,' said
her dark retainer, coming back.

'I thought I told you I was at breakfast?' said Hazel, in a
tone of displeasure.

'Yes'm--but the Major he bound to know 'bout sumfin Missee
Hazel left onsartin last night. 'Spect he'd like a keep-sake,
too,' said Dingee, laying down another card. 'Mas' May put _his_
away mighty safe.'

If ever his little mistress was near being furious, I think it
was then. Eyes and cheeks were in a flame.

'I left nothing uncertain last night!' she said, turning upon
him. 'Major Seaton knows that, if he will take the trouble to
remember. And Dingee, if you bring me another message--of any
sort--before I whistle for you, I will put you out of service
for a month. Now go!'

'Is that the way you punish unlucky servitors?' said Rollo,
looking much amused.

She had come back to her grapes, giving them the closest
attention, feeling shy and nervous and disturbed to any point;
but now fun got the upper hand. So first she bit her lips, and
then--the laugh must come! Clear and ringing and mirthsome, as
if there was never a growl in all the world.

'That is one way,' she said.

'Sounds peaceable,' said Rollo demurely, though smiling; 'but
I don't know! I am afraid it might prove very severe. What is
the appeal from one of your sentences?'

'There is none. I am a Mede and a Persian combined. Byo, why
don't you give Mr. Rollo some cream with his peaches, and
postpone me till another time?'

'She'll