h a
cheerful good-by walked briskly away.

"Mayn't I carry your parcel for you?" asked a voice at her side.

"Why, Carl, I thought you had gone with the others! It isn't dark. I
do not need anyone."

"Please, ma'm, I'd like to walk with you if you don't mind."

Dora couldn't help smiling, though she said severely, "I don't believe
you. It is because you think I am lonely by myself. I am much obliged
to you, but I wish you would run after the others."

Carl coolly took possession of the work-bag. "You will have to make
the best of it, for I am going home with you."

They walked on in silence for a minute; then he asked meekly, "Are you
mad?"

"You know I am not."

"Then you might tell what is the matter. You don't know how much good,
honest confession does one."

"Yes, I do, but I have nothing to confess. I am worried about
something, but you cannot help me, and it is not worth speaking of, at
any rate."

"Come home, then, and tell Aunt Zelie; she is pretty good at helping."

"I ought to know that; still I don't know what even she could do. It
is not much, after all; I am just rather low in my mind, as Mrs. West
says." Dora smiled with an attempt at cheerfulness not altogether
successful.

"Don't fib; brace up and make a clean breast of it, and if you need
advice I am full of it."

"Dear me, you are such a goose! I shall not have any peace till I tell
you. Well, then, the beginning of it is that Mrs. West is going to
Florida to live."

"I am sorry, but it seems to me matters might be worse," Carl answered
gravely.

"Of course you don't understand it. It means that we must find another
boarding place, _where_ I am sure I do not know. We can't afford any
that are near here, and Mamma does so hate to board, she is not a bit
happy. I would give anything if we could have a little house all to
ourselves."

"There is one thing certain, you shall not go away from this
neighborhood. Don't worry about it, it will come out all right."

Dora felt a little comforted by Carl's sympathy, though she knew he
could not help her.

"Are you sure you could not find a small house that would do?" he
asked.

"Yes, I know that is quite out of the question. Even a small house
would cost too much, and then it would be too lonely for Mamma, when I
am at school. You see it was foolish in me to tell you, for it only
bothers you for nothing."

"Just wait a minute, I have an idea," said Carl, putting his hands in
his pocke