upstairs
I thought I'd just peep in, but I'm sorry--" she paused; evidently her
words had not been heard. This strange person held her hands and gazed
at her in the oddest way.

"And so you are a real little girl!" she said at length.

The child smiled uneasily, and seeing it, the lady put her arm around
her and drew her closer. "Forgive me, dear, for not listening," she
said. "You came with--whom?"

Again Frances explained, but perhaps she did not make it very clear, for
her companion still looked puzzled.

"Do you live here?" she asked.

"No, we are spending the winter here, mother and I."

"Your mother and you--" the questioner repeated.

"Yes, while father is away; he has gone to Honolulu. We stopped here
because mother was ill, and then the _Eastern Review_ wanted father to
go to Hawaii, so we thought we'd just stay. We have a flat at the
Spectacle Man's--I mean Mr. Clark's--and it is very nice."

"Is it?" The stranger's eyes travelled over the dainty figure. "You will
think I am asking a great many questions, but where did you get your
name?" she added.

"It was my great-grandmother's. Mother wanted to put Chauncey in. That
is father's name, John Chauncey Morrison. Perhaps you have read his
stories." Again Frances saw that strange expression in the face before
her.

"Do you know who I am?" the lady asked.

"I suppose you are Mrs. Marvin. Emma said you had not come home yet, but
that you were coming very soon, and when I saw you I knew who it must
be, and-- I hope you'll excuse me," she added, remembering she had
offered no apology.

Emma and Zenobia, who had been standing in the door for several minutes,
now succeeded in catching Frances' eye. "I must go," she said, "they are
waiting for me."

Mrs. Marvin glanced in their direction. "Will you come to see me again?"
she asked.

"I don't know whether mother will let me," Frances replied doubtfully.

The lady suddenly took the child's face in her hands and kissed her
lips,--such a strange, passionate kiss it was; and then Frances felt
herself almost pushed away.

She had hardly any answer for Emma's excited questions, which began as
soon as they were outside the door, but walked along with an absent
expression that was rather provoking.

"I can't see what makes you so funny, Frances," said her friend.

"Why, Wink, how late you are!" Mrs. Morrison exclaimed, meeting them at
the head of the steps, having spent the last half hour at the window.