gave it with as much dignity as he could muster.

She immediately opened the door and led him out into the hall, where
Farwell and the two girls were amusing themselves with the graphophone.

"I know you will be sorry," she said from the threshold, "to hear that
Mr. Channing is leaving us at once."

At the tone of her voice, Farwell gave a startled glance toward his
friend, and Jemima suddenly put an arm around her sister, further rising
to the occasion with polite murmurings of regret. But Jacqueline with
one gesture brushed aside tact and subterfuge. She ran to Channing and
caught his hand.

"Why, what's the matter?" she cried. "What has happened? Why is mother
sending you away?"

"Jacqueline! Am I in the habit of sending guests away from my house?"

"You're doing it now, and I know why!" She threw back her head and
laughed. "It's too late, Mummy dear! I suppose the fat's in the
fire--but it was fun while it lasted! You didn't suspect your little
girl was big enough to have a real sweetheart, did you?" A lovely blush
spread over her face. She tugged at Channing's hand. "Come, why don't
you tell her everything? Time to 'speak for yourself, John!'"

The silence puzzled her. She looked from one to the other. "Mummy,
you're not really angry because we kept it a secret? Remember!--didn't
you keep it a secret from your mother, too, just at first? It's a thing
girls _have_ to keep to themselves, just at first, till they're used to
it--Jemmy," she cried, suddenly turning on her sister, "_why_ are you
looking so sympathetic at me?"

Channing lifted the little hand that was clutching his to his lips.
"This is good-by," he said hoarsely. "I'm sorry--Your mother will
explain.--I must go away."

"But you're coming back soon?"

He shook his head.

"Why, but--I'll see you again before you go, won't I?" Her voice was
piteous.

"Mr. Channing has given me his word," said her mother, "to make no
further attempt to communicate with you."

The girl took a long breath. Her chin lifted. "Oh! So you are still
going to treat me as a little girl?" she said. "That's a mistake,
Mother!"

Without any further effort to detain Channing, she walked to the stairs
and up them, her chin still high.

Channing looked back once from the door. Mrs. Kildare, standing in the
center of the hall, bowed to him gravely, as a queen might in dismissing
an audience. Jemima, on guard at the foot of the staircase, also bowed
in stately fashion.