h older because she had stopped doing so many pleasant things.
This garret dance was a thing to remember. Betty liked Aunt Barbara
better every day, but it had never occurred to her that she knew that
particular Spanish dance. An army officer's wife had taught it to Betty
and some of her friends the summer she was in the Isle of Wight. Becky
had been brought up to be very doubtful about dancing, which was a great
pity, for she was apt to be stiff and awkward when she walked or tried
to move about in the room. Somehow she moved her feet as if they had
been made too heavy for her, but she learned a good deal from trying to
keep step as she walked with Betty, who was naturally light-footed.

Mr. Leicester put down the guitar at last, and said that he had an
errand to do, and that Betty had better come along.

"Can't you sit still five minutes, either of you?" maliciously asked
Aunt Barbara, who had quite regained her breath. "I really did not know
how cozy this corner was. I must say that I had forgot to associate it
with anything but Serena's and my putting away blankets in the spring. I
used to like to sit by the window and read when I was your age, Betty.
In those days I could look over this nearest elm and see way down the
river, just as you can now in winter when the leaves are gone. I dare
say the three generations before me have played here too. I am so glad
that we could have Betty this summer; it is time she began to strike her
roots a little deeper here."

"Yes," said Mr. Leicester, "but I _can't_ do without her, my only
Betsey!" and they all laughed, but Betty had a sudden suspicion that
Aunt Barbara would try to keep her altogether now. This frightened our
friend a little, for though she loved the old home dearly, she must take
care of papa. It was her place to take care of him now; she had been
looking over his damaged wardrobe most anxiously that morning, as if her
own had never known ruin. His outside clothes were well enough, but
alas for his pocket handkerchiefs and stockings! He looked a little
pale, too, and as if he had on the whole been badly neglected in minor
ways.

But there never was a more cheerful and contented papa, as they walked
toward the river together hand-in-hand, in the fashion of Betty's
childhood. They found that the packet had come in, and there was a group
of spectators on the old wharf, who were looking eagerly at something
which proved to be a large cat-boat which the packet had