. Stone, aghast. "You do not for one moment imagine
that poor child was acting? Impossible! Why, she was as sound asleep as
she ever was in all her life, and there was not the least sign that she
was conscious of my touch when I took hold of her arm to lead her from the
pantry. Do you suppose it would have been possible for her to dissemble to
that extent? _Never!_"

Miss Preston did not answer, but laughed softly again.

It was too much for Mrs. Stone; rising suddenly to her feet, she said,
with asperity: "It is useless for us to discuss the matter further
to-night, nay, _this morning_," looking at the tiny clock ticking away
upon Miss Preston's desk, "but I trust that in broad daylight you may see
more clearly. For my part, nothing will ever convince me that that child
was deceiving me; my knowledge of girls is too perfect. It was a most
pronounced case of somnambulism, the outcome of last night's injudicious
eating, and, in my opinion, a very alarming condition, as one can never
tell to what it may lead. Her digestion may be seriously impaired. It is
quite unsafe to leave her alone to-night, for she may be seized with
another attack at any moment. I shall spend the remainder of the night
upon the couch in her room," and away she went to take up her sentinel
duty.

"It is quite unnecessary," called Miss Preston after the retreating
figure, but no heed was given to the words, and when Toinette waked in the
morning what was her surprise to find Mrs. Stone bending over her asking,
in the most solicitous of voices, if she were feeling quite well.

For a moment Toinette was unable to take in the situation, but her wits
got into working order pretty quickly, and only her quivering lips would
have betrayed her to a more discerning person. Mrs. Stone, however, saw
nothing but an inclination to weep, and, stooping over Toinette, said,
soothingly: "There, there, dear, don't hurry to rise, you are a little
nervous this morning and ought to rest."

But Toinette was at the breakfast table as promptly as anyone, and as she
took her seat she gave a quick glance toward Miss Preston; but that astute
woman was pouring cream into her coffee-cup. An hour later, when all were
scurrying about getting ready for the walk to the schoolhouse, which was
situated several blocks from the home house and its adjacent cottages,
Toinette came face to face with Miss Preston in one of the upper halls.
Both stopped short, looked each other squarely