to stay outside while Dan reconnoitred the interior. Dan
opened one door after another till he stood within the hot brilliantly
lighted hall. Eunice Mavering was coming down the stairs, hooded and
wrapped for a walk on the long verandahs before supper.

"Dan!" she cried.

"It's all up, Eunice," he said at once, as if she had asked him about
it. "My engagement's off."

"Oh, I'm so glad!" She descended upon him with outstretched arms, but
stopped herself before she reached him. "It's a hoax. What do you mean?
Do you really mean it, Dan?"

"I guess I mean it. But don't--Hold on! Where's Minnie?"

Eunice turned, and ran back upstairs. "Minnie! Min!" she called on her
way. "Dan's engagement's off."

"I don't believe it!" answered Minnie's voice joyously, from within some
room. It was followed by her presence, with successive inquiries. "How
do you know? Did you get a letter? When did it happen? Oh, isn't it too
good?"

Minnie was also dressed for the verandah promenade, which they always
took when the snow was too deep. She caught sight of her brother as she
came down. "Why, Dan's here! Dan, I've been thinking about you all day."
She kissed him, which Eunice was now reminded to do too.

"Yes, it's true, Minnie," said Dan gravely. "I came up to tell you. It
don't seem to distress you much."

"Dan!" said his sister reproachfully. "You know I didn't mean to say
anything I only felt so glad to have you back again."

"I understand, Minnie--I don't blame you. It's all right. How's mother?
Father up from the works yet? I'm going to my room."

"Indeed you're not!" cried Eunice, with elder sisterly authority. "You
shall tell us about it first."

"Oh no! Let him go, Eunice!" pleaded Minnie, "Poor Dan! And I don't
think we ought to go to walk when--"

Dan's eyes dimmed, and his voice weakened a little at her sympathy.
"Yes, go. I'm tired--that's all. There isn't anything to tell you,
hardly. Miss Pasmer--"

"Why, he's pale!" cried Minnie. "Eunice!"

"Oh, it's just the heat in here." Dan really felt a little sick and
faint with it, but he was not sorry to seem affected by the day's strain
upon his nerves.

The girls began to take off their wraps. "Don't. I'll go with you.
Boardman's out there."

"Boardman! What nonsense!" exclaimed Eunice.

"He'll like to hear your opinion of it," Dan began; but his sister
pulled the doors open, and ran out to see if he really meant that too.

Whether Boardman had heard her, or