? What is it?"

"No, I don't think I can--not now, anyhow." Aileen paused. "Do you
suppose your mother would object," she asked, suddenly, "if I came here
and stayed a little while? I want to get away from home for a time for a
certain reason."

"Why, Aileen Butler, how you talk!" exclaimed her friend. "Object! You
know she'd be delighted, and so would I. Oh, dear--can you come? But
what makes you want to leave home?"

"That's just what I can't tell you--not now, anyhow. Not you, so much,
but your mother. You know, I'm afraid of what she'd think," replied
Aileen. "But, you mustn't ask me yet, anyhow. I want to think. Oh, dear!
But I want to come, if you'll let me. Will you speak to your mother, or
shall I?"

"Why, I will," said Mamie, struck with wonder at this remarkable
development; "but it's silly to do it. I know what she'll say before I
tell her, and so do you. You can just bring your things and come. That's
all. She'd never say anything or ask anything, either, and you know
that--if you didn't want her to." Mamie was all agog and aglow at the
idea. She wanted the companionship of Aileen so much.

Aileen looked at her solemnly, and understood well enough why she was
so enthusiastic--both she and her mother. Both wanted her presence to
brighten their world. "But neither of you must tell anybody that I'm
here, do you hear? I don't want any one to know--particularly no one of
my family. I've a reason, and a good one, but I can't tell you what it
is--not now, anyhow. You'll promise not to tell any one."

"Oh, of course," replied Mamie eagerly. "But you're not going to run
away for good, are you, Aileen?" she concluded curiously and gravely.

"Oh, I don't know; I don't know what I'll do yet. I only know that I
want to get away for a while, just now--that's all." She paused, while
Mamie stood before her, agape.

"Well, of all things," replied her friend. "Wonders never cease, do
they, Aileen? But it will be so lovely to have you here. Mama will be
so pleased. Of course, we won't tell anybody if you don't want us to.
Hardly any one ever comes here; and if they do, you needn't see them.
You could have this big room next to me. Oh, wouldn't that be nice?
I'm perfectly delighted." The young school-teacher's spirits rose to a
decided height. "Come on, why not tell mama right now?"

Aileen hesitated because even now she was not positive whether she
should do this, but finally they went down the stairs together, Ailee