rly
direction, principle, the only compass worth having, pointed due north,
and she tried to obey it like a wise young navigator, saying steadily,
while she directed to Annabel the parcel containing a capacious pair of
slippers intended for Uncle Mac: "Don't trouble yourself about me. I can
go with Uncle and slip away without disturbing anybody."

"I don't believe you'll have the heart to do it," said Charlie
incredulously as he sealed the last note.

"Wait and see."

"I will, but I shall hope to the last." And kissing his hand to her, he
departed to post her letters, quite sure that Miss Waring would not lead
the German.

It certainly looked for a moment as if Miss Campbell would, because she
ran to the door with the words "I'll go" upon her lips. But she did not
open it till she had stood a minute staring hard at the old glove on
Psyche's head; then like one who had suddenly gotten a bright idea, she
gave a decided nod and walked slowly out of the room.

Chapter 6 POLISHING MAC

"Please could I say one word?" was the question three times repeated
before a rough head bobbed out from the grotto of books in which Mac
usually sat when he studied.

"Did anyone speak?" he asked, blinking in the flood of sunshine that
entered with Rose.

"Only three times, thank you. Don't disturb yourself, I beg, for I
merely want to say a word," answered Rose as she prevented him from
offering the easy chair in which he sat.

"I was rather deep in a compound fracture and didn't hear. What can I do
for you, Cousin?" And Mac shoved a stack of pamphlets off the chair near
him with a hospitable wave of the hand that sent his papers flying in
all directions.

Rose sat down, but did not seem to find her "word" an easy one to
utter, for she twisted her handkerchief about her fingers in embarrassed
silence till Mac put on his glasses and, after a keen look, asked
soberly: "Is it a splinter, a cut, or a whitlow, ma'am?"

"It is neither. Do forget your tiresome surgery for a minute and be the
kindest cousin that ever was," answered Rose, beginning rather sharply
and ending with her most engaging smile.

"Can't promise in the dark," said the wary youth.

"It is a favor, a great favor, and one I don't choose to ask any of the
other boys," answered the artful damsel.

Mac looked pleased and leaned forward, saying more affably, "Name it,
and be sure I'll grant it if I can."

"Go with me to Mrs. Hope's party tomorrow night."