ere came before his vision the
image of "a forlorn-looking, sallow-faced child," whom he did not care
about describing to Ida. She, however, insisted upon a description,
and that evening when tea was over, the lamps lighted, and Mr. Selden
reading the paper, George told her of Mary, who had watched so kindly
over him during the weary days of his illness. Contrary to his
expectations, she did not laugh at the picture which he drew of Mary's
face, but simply said, "I know I should like her." Then after a
moment's pause, she continued; "They are poor, you say, and Mr. Howard
is a music teacher. Monsieur Dupres has just left me, and who knows
but papa can get Mr. Howard to fill his place."

When the subject was referred to her father, he said that he had liked
the appearance of Mr. Howard, and would if possible find him on the
morrow and engage his services. The next morning Ida awoke with an
uncomfortable impression that something was the matter with the
weather. Raising herself on her elbow, and pushing back the heavy
curtains, she looked out and saw that the sky was dark with angry
clouds, from which the rain was steadily falling,--not in drizzly
showers, but in large round drops, which beat against the casement and
then bounded off upon the pavement below.

All thoughts of Mr. Howard were given up for that day and as every
moment of Mr. Selden's time was employed for several successive ones,
it was nearly a week after George's arrival before any inquiries were
made for the family. The hotel at which they had stopped was then
found, but Mr. Selden was told that the persons whom he was seeking
had left the day before for one of the inland towns, though which one
he could not ascertain.

"I knew 'twould be so," said Ida rather fretfully, "father might have
gone that rainy day as well as not. Now we shall never see nor hear
from them again, and George will be so disappointed." But George's
disappointment was soon forgotten in the pleasures and excitements of
school, and if occasionally thoughts of Mary Howard came over him,
they were generally dispelled by the lively sallies of his sprightly
little cousin, who often declared that "she should be dreadfully
jealous of George's travelling companion, were it not that he was a
great admirer of beauty and that Mary was terribly ugly."

CHAPTER II.

CHICOPEE.

It was the afternoon for the regular meeting of the Ladies Sewing
Society in the little village of Chicope