ouch with Mr. Grey and Pearl bending anxiously
over him. Bobby's mother, having bundled the little fellow up like a
department store package, had wheeled his little cot close up to the
stove, while Bobby himself howled lustily, really none the worse for his
little adventure. But Periwinkle had sprained his left wrist as Mr. Grey
saw when he bathed and dressed the injured hand. His first thought was
to call the doctor, but before he could do so the boy opened his eyes
and begged to be taken home. Thereupon Robert Grey wrapped him up in his
great fur coat and carried him as easily as if he were a baby to Miss
Hetty's home.

Hetty met them at the door, her heart cold with fear. She now realized
for the first time how dear Myra's children had become to her. Without a
word she admitted Mr. Grey with his burden and calmly heard his account
of Periwinkle's heroic deed. Not until he had placed Periwinkle in a
large armchair before the fire and had turned to go did Miss Hetty
address him.

"I must thank you," she said tremulously, holding Peri's hand tightly in
her own, "you have saved his life."

"As he saved my nephew's," replied Robert Grey, but his voice faltered
as he realized that for the first time in years he was speaking to _her_
and that _she_ was grateful to him.

Miss Maise however took no notice of his emotion.

"That was his duty," she said coldly. "Peri is a Maise through and
through. He is too brave and kind to let anyone or anything perish. He
risked his life to save your nephew as he would have risked his life to
save Alois' terrier."

Stung by her words and manner, Mr. Grey turned again to go; yet in spite
of his rebuff he thought that Hetty looked very beautiful with the
sunset glow lighting up her golden head, though as cold as the snow
clad peaks lighted up by the gold of the descending sun. It was
Periwinkle's voice however that called him back again. "I'm so glad you
came just when you did Mr. Grey," he murmured gratefully, "and Aunt
Hetty and Pearl and I ain't no end thankful to you for being so kind as
to carry me home, when I weigh such a heap, thanks to Aunt Hetty's
corn-bread, the minister says. You do believe in the Fat Woman's golden
rule, don't you?" and then he added meditatively, "I wonder whether you
believe in that other rule, 'Love your enemies,' you know?"

The color rose to Miss Hetty's cheeks at her nephew's last words and
deepened as Mr. Grey said quietly:

"Perhaps I believe in