ed me."

"I wasn't all alone, you know, much of the time. But, I say, come off!"
he remonstrated, as Allie renewed her demonstrations of affection. "You
needn't stand my hair on end just because I've come. Here's a pie I
sniped off the pantry shelf, for I thought most likely you'd be hungry."

"I'm nearly starved," answered Allie gratefully. "Mrs. Pennypoker did
bring me some crackers this noon, though."

"Crackers aren't much good, and those are all gone by this time, aren't
they?" inquired Charlie scornfully.

"Yes, every one; gone out of the window," returned her cousin
disdainfully. "Charlie MacGregor, I'd have starved to death before I
touched one of her old crackers!"

"That's the way to talk," said Charlie approvingly. "She's a Tartar and
a Turk, Allie, and I'd like to tell her what I think of her--if I only
dared. But, if I did, she'd just lock us up in different rooms; and it's
more fun to be together."

"I did tell her--Oh, dear, I wish mamma would come back," sighed Allie.
"How shall we ever stand it three more days, Charlie?"

"Grin and bear it, mostly," returned Charlie, philosophically. "Janey's
packed up her clothes and gone off, and she says she won't step into
this house again till auntie gets back. I don't blame her; but Mrs.
Pennypoker'll have to turn cook, or else send over for Wang. But go on
and eat your pie, Allie, and you'll feel better. She's a Turk, I tell
you; but I'll see that auntie knows all about it, and I know she won't
think you're a bit to blame."

"But, Charlie, you aren't going to stay here all this everlasting
afternoon," remonstrated Allie, as her woe yielded to the combined
influences of her cousin's consolation and his pie. "It isn't fair at
all, when you might be off with the boys having a good time."

"Well, it strikes me this ought to be my innings," answered Charlie
quietly, while he settled his glasses on his nose and then took up the
book which his cousin had just tossed aside. "How many days and weeks,
I'd like to know, did you stay in here with me, when 't was hot and dark
and stuffy here! It's only fair that you should let me take my turn now.
You needn't talk to me, if you don't want to; but I shall stay here as
long as I choose, and you can't put me out, so you may as well make up
your mind to it."

Two hours later, as Mrs. Pennypoker's step was heard in the hall
outside, Charlie quietly let himself drop from the window-sill. Then he
turned back to whisper,-