o meet very often, do we, though we are such near
neighbors," she said, with a smile, when the usual greetings had been
exchanged, "but you look worried. Are all well at home this morning?"

"We are all well disturbed, certainly," he answered, with a short laugh. "I
have just come in to see if I could get someone to help me about Dexie."

"Why? what has happened her? She is not hurt, I hope!"

"Well, her feelings are, tremendously, I can tell you;" and pulling out the
objectionable handbill from his pocket, added, "she came upon this down in
some store, and has come home as mad as a hatter, declaring she has been
insulted, and she vows she won't whistle or go near the concert at all
to-night."

"Well, that _would_ be rather serious, wouldn't it?" was the mild reply.
"Poor girlie, so she don't like to be called the 'American warbler.' It is
the publicity of it, I expect, that has hurt her. Where is she now?"

"Up in her room, crying her eyes out. The more we try to reason with her,
the worse she is; even Aunt Jennie has failed to quiet her."

"Now if you will let me advise--you know I have more experience with
rebellious children than most women," and she smiled up into the anxious
face above her, "let her have her cry out, and say no more to her about it
just now, and, if you care to turn her over to us, I think I can promise
you she will be all right by and by."

"Do you mean that you are willing to take her off our hands for the day?"
and he looked eagerly into her face.

"Yes, if we may. I will send one of the children in to ask her to dinner,
and we will not let her suspect that we know anything about it until she
speaks of the matter herself. We will find something pleasant to take up
her attention until Lancy comes home, and by that time she will have had
time to think of the matter in a different light."

"But do you think she will consent to whistle after all, Mrs. Gurney? That
is the main thing."

"Certainly; I have no fear. If the matter is put before her in a serious
light, she will be sure to do what is honorable. Of course, I quite
understand that until her temper cools off she will be immovable; those
determined natures always are. I have brought up one hot-headed person, and
I think I know the weak spot; and Hugh McNeil was never _quite_
unmanageable. Do not fret about Dexie, I feel sure she will fulfil her part
to-night, and do us all credit."

"Thanks, Mrs. Gurney. You cannot think what a rel