ose to make your
acquaintance. Let Katherine take away the children by all means--some
people _are_ worried with children--but let _me_ stay and have a little
talk with you."

Mr. Liddell's only reply was to rise up. Gaunt, bent, his gray locks
quivering with annoyance, and leaning on his stick, he slowly walked to
the door, his eyes fixed with a cold glare on the intruder. At the door
he turned, and addressing Katherine, said, "Let me know when she is
gone;" then he disappeared into the hall.

Little Charlie burst into tears. Cecil cried out, "You are a nasty,
cross old man"; while Mrs. Fred grew very red, and exclaimed: "I never
saw such a bear in all my life! Why, a crossing-sweeper would have
better manners! I am astonished at you, Katie. How can you live with
such a creature? But _some_ people would do anything for money."

"I am dreadfully sorry," said Katherine; "do come up to my room. If you
had only told me you were coming I should have advised you against it.
You must rest a while in my room."

"I really do not think I will sit down in this house after the way in
which I have been treated," said the irate widow, while she followed her
sister-in-law upstairs.

"Oh yes, do, mammy; I want to see the house," implored Cecil.

"Why did you not tell me what a dreadful man he is, Katherine, and I
should not have put myself in the way of being insulted?"

"I think I told you enough to keep you away, Ada. What put it into your
head to come?"

"I scarcely know. I always intended it, and Colonel Ormonde said it was
my duty to let him, Mr. Liddell, see the boys. I really did not want to
come."

"I wish Colonel Ormonde would mind his own affairs," cried Katherine. "I
fancy he only talks for talking's sake."

"That is all you know," indignantly; "he is a very clever man of the
world, and I am fortunate in having such a friend to interest himself in
me."

"Oh, well, perhaps so. At all events, I am very glad to see the bays,
and--you too, Ada. Charlie is very pale. Come here, Charlie."

"Oh, auntie, is this your own, own room? Does the cross old man ever
come here? Are all those books yours--and the funny little table with
the crooked legs? Who is the man in a wig?" cried Cecil. "Mightn't we
stay with you? we would be so quiet? Mother says we are _dreffully_
troublesome since you went away. We could both sleep with you in that
great big bed! The cross old gentleman would never know. It would be
such fun! Do, do