ing wet or frightened or punished. Did you?"

"I wasn't punished," Anna responded meekly.

"I was. I was sent to bed without my supper for three nights; and I had
to learn two tables of figures," declared Melvina triumphantly. "But I
didn't care. For I have a splendid plan----" But before Melvina could
say another word the kitchen door opened and Mrs. Lyon entered.

At first she did not recognize Anna, and smiled pleasantly at the neat,
quiet little girl in the pretty dress and sunbonnet. "And who is this
little maid?" she asked.

"I am Anna Western," Anna replied quickly, making a clumsy curtsy.

Mrs. Lyon's smile vanished. She thought to herself that Anna had taken
advantage of her absence to steal into the house, perhaps to entice
Melvina for some rough game out-of-doors.

"I came to call," Anna continued bravely, her voice faltering a little.
"I wanted to say I was sorry for being mischievous."

Mrs. Lyon's face softened, and she noticed approvingly that Anna's short
curly locks were covered by the sunbonnet, and that she was dressed in
her best; but she was still a little doubtful.

"Well, Anna, I am glad indeed that you are so right-minded. It is most
proper that you should be sorry. I doubt not that your good parents
punished you severely for your fault," said Mrs. Lyon. But she did not
ask Anna to sit down, or to remove her sunbonnet. Melvina looked from
Anna to her mother, not knowing what to say.

"I think I must go now," said Anna, almost ready to cry. "Good-bye,
Melvina; good-afternoon, Mrs. Lyon," and making another awkward curtsy
Anna turned toward the door.

"Oh, Danna! Don't go," called Melvina, running toward her; but Mrs.
Lyon's firm hand held her back.

"Good-afternoon, Anna! I hope you will grow into a good and obedient
girl," she said kindly.

Anna's tears now came thick and fast. She could hardly see the path as
she stumbled along. But if she could have heard Melvina's words as her
mother held her back from the kitchen door, she would have felt that her
visit had been worth while. For Melvina had exclaimed, greatly to Mrs.
Lyon's dismay: "Oh, Mother! Ask her to come again. For I want to be
exactly like Danna, and do all the things she does."

Luretta Foster, coming down the path, stopped short and stared at Anna
in amazement. It was surprising enough to see Anna dressed as if ready
for church, but to see her in tears was almost unbelievable.

"What is the matter, Danna?" she asked,