had discreetly withdrawn out of
earshot at the first sound of voices, she could not tell, but she found
him some distance away from the snow-box on the piazza. "Dan's just
managed to tell us you were here," she said, giving him her hand. "I'm
glad to see you. Do come in."

"Come along as a sort of Job's comforter," Boardman explained, as
he followed her in; and he had the silly look that the man who feels
himself superfluous must wear.

"Then you know about it?" said Eunice, while Minnie Mavering and he were
shaking hands.

"Yes, Boardman knows; he can tell you about it," said Dan, from the hall
chair he had dropped into. He rose and made his way to the stairs, with
the effect of leaving the whole thing to them.

His sisters ran after him, and got him upstairs and into his room, with
Boardman's semi-satirical connivance, and Eunice put up the window,
while Minnie went to get some cologne to wet his forehead. Their efforts
were so successful that he revived sufficiently to drive them out of his
room, and make them go and show Boardman to his.

"You know the way, Mr. Boardman," said Eunice, going before him, while
Minnie followed timorously, but curious for what he should say. She
lingered on the threshold, while her sister went in and pulled the
electric apparatus which lighted the gas-burners. "I suppose Dan didn't
break it?" she said, turning sharply upon him.

"No; and I don't think he was to blame," said Boardman, inferring her
reserved anxiety.

"Oh, I'm quite sure of that," said Eunice, rejecting what she had asked
for. "You'll find everything, Mr. Boardman. It was kind of you to come
with Dan. Supper's at seven."

"How severe you were with him!" murmured Minnie, following her away.

"Severe with Dan?"

"No--with Mr. Boardman."

"What nonsense! I had to be. I couldn't let him defend Dan to me. Couple
of silly boys!"

After a moment Minnie said, "I don't think he's silly."

"Who?"

"Mr. Boardman."

"Well, Dan is, then, to bring him at such a time. But I suppose he felt
that he couldn't get here without him. What a boy! Think of such a child
being engaged! I hope we shan't hear any more of such nonsense for one
while again--at least till Dan's got his growth."

They went down into the library, where, in their excitement, they sat
down with most of their outdoor things on.

Minnie had the soft contrary-mindedness of gentle natures. "I should
like to know how you would have had Dan bear it," she