, let us stay, auntie!"

"But I am afraid of the old gentleman," whispered the younger boy. "Does
he ever hurt you, auntie dear? I wish you would come home."

"Charlie is such a coward," said Cecil, with contempt.

"Don't talk nonsense, children," exclaimed their mother, peremptorily.
"I should die of fright if I thought you were left behind with that
ogre. _I_ wouldn't sacrifice my children for the sake of filthy lucre."

"Do not talk nonsense, Ada?" said Katherine, impatiently. "I am
infinitely distressed that my uncle should have behaved so rudely, but
he is really eccentric, and if you had consulted--"

"He is the boys' uncle as well as yours," interrupted Ada, indignantly.
"Why should they not come and see him? How was I to suppose he was such
an unnatural monster?"

"I always told you he was very peculiar."

"Peculiar! that is a delicate way of putting it. If I were you I should
be ashamed of wasting my time and my youth acting servant to an old
miser who will not leave you a sou!"

"No, I don't suppose he will," returned Katherine, quietly. "Still, I am
not the least ashamed of what I am doing; I am quite satisfied with my
own motives."

"Oh, you are always satisfied with yourself, I know," was the angry
answer, "But"--with a slight change of tone--"I am sorry to see you look
so pale and ill, though you deserve it."

"Never mind, Ada. Take off your bonnet and sit down. I will get you a
cup of tea."

"Tea! no, certainly not! Do you think me so mean as to taste a mouthful
of food in this house after being ordered out of it?"

"Oh, I am _so_ hungry!" cried Cecil, in mournful tones.

"You are a little cormorant: Grannie will give you nice tea when we get
home. Put on your gloves, children, I shall go at once."

"Do come back with us, auntie," implored the boys. "Grannie wants you
ever so much."

"Not more than I want her," returned Katherine. "How is she, Ada?"

"Oh, very well; just the same as usual. People who are not sensitive
have a great deal to be thankful for. _I_ feel quite upset by this
encounter with your amiable relative, so I will say good-by."

"Oh, wait for me; I will come with you. Let me put on my hat and tell
Mr. Liddell I am going out."

"Of course you must ask the master's leave!"

"Exactly," returned Katherine, good-humoredly. And she put on her hat
and gloves.

"Well, I shall be glad of your guidance, for I hardly know my way back
to where the omnibus starts. Such a horri