ts?"

"Miss Barnes explained to me on the way home, that she and Isabelle have
a game called 'Playing Jinny.' Jinny is Miss Barnes's little sister and
Isabelle pretends that she lives in the Barnes family."

"So, it is your paragon who has set her against her own parents."

"No, she didn't mean to do that. She says she had no idea that the child
would take it seriously and start off to find the Barnes home."

"Do you think it desirable to have your child in the sole charge of a
woman who poisons her mind against you and me?"

"But she doesn't do that, Max. Isabelle adores her. It was just a game,
I tell you."

"So _she_ says."

On the way to the library, after dinner, they came upon Ann in the hall.

"May I speak to you, Miss Barnes?" Max inquired coolly.

"Certainly," the girl replied, and followed them into the room beyond.

"Just what is it that you have been telling Isabelle, which sets her off
on this ridiculous jaunt?" demanded Mrs. Bryce, insolently.

"I told her about my home, and my little sister, who is her age. She
started off to find her," answered Ann, simply.

"Do you think it is a part of your duty to set her against her parents?"

"I have never discussed her parents with her."

"I'm sure Miss Barnes isn't to blame, Max," put in Wally.

"I think she is." Mrs. Bryce cut him off. "You may take the noon train
to town to-morrow, Miss Barnes."

"Oh, I say, Max!" protested Wally.

"It's all right, Mr. Bryce," Ann said. "I hate to leave Isabelle, but
what can I do to help her? She's just doomed!"

"Doomed to live with us, Wally," laughed Mrs. Bryce.

"Yes, doomed to live with you," the girl replied. "To get along without
help, or love. To see her mother occasionally--a strange woman in the
house. What right have you and your crowd to have children?" she
demanded, hotly.

"Such impudence!" burst out Mrs. Bryce.

"I've never known any one like you before, and you fill me with horror!"
Ann retorted.

"This may amuse you, Wally, but it doesn't me," remarked Mrs. Bryce,
walking out of the room.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Bryce; I didn't mean to say all that. I am so tired and
excited from hunting Isabelle, and it seemed so terrible to me that she
didn't care about her own baby being lost, that I just burst out."

"I know how overstrained you are, but of course, under the circumstances
you will see----" he answered miserably.

"Oh, I couldn't stay in the house another minute."

"Mrs. Bryce is ver