now, when the thing's all over;
I wonder if she thinks that I believe she's sorry, anyhow."

"We went around by the river, and way up on the hill," continued Bea,
after waiting a reasonable length of time for an answer. "Mr. Phillips
says we may ride often."

"Did he?"

"Yes, wasn't it kind? you know Mrs. Phillips and the girls are going
away and 'Prince' will need exercising."

"Of course."

"Hasn't mama come home yet?"

"I don't know."

"Perhaps Mrs. Dane is worse."

No answer.

"It's almost supper time, I should think she would be here," and with
that, Bea got up, somewhat discouraged with the one-sided conversation;
but paused again at Olive's side.

"Oh! what a lovely face," she exclaimed, bending over the artist's
shoulder. "Where did you get it, Olive?"

"Made it up."

"Well, I really envy you such a talent; I have none at all. Why do you
make her look so sad?"

"That's the way she looked to my mind and I drew her so. Perhaps it's
because she has no sisters," answered Olive, spoiling the meaning
conveyed in the words by the sarcasm that crept into the voice, and Bea
drew back, hurt and half inclined to be angry; but with her, a tender
heart always went ahead of a quiet temper and ruled, so she walked to
the door, saying as she went out: "You better put up your things;
supper's nearly ready."

After tea Olive whispered something to Mr. Dering, and to everyone's
curiosity, they went off together to the library. This was only a small
room, but very cozy, with a dark green carpet on the floor, the chairs
of various shapes, with the previous covering worn threadbare, neatly
covered with green cloth, a cover of like shade on the table, and one
side of the wall well packed with books; for Mr. Dering having never
been wealthy, had only by care, and much time, collected the books which
now formed a faultless, small library. It was Ernestine's idea, having
the room green, and bestowing upon it the important sounding name of
"library," for it suited her fancy by sounding stylish, and pleased her
artistic eye by being all of one shade; so after much patient drilling,
she got them all to call it "library," excepting Olive, for that sister,
disapproving of Ernestine's notions in general, did not like to yield to
this one, and insisted on calling it "study."

Well, in here came Mr. Dering, Olive following with a light, saying, as
she placed it on the table:

"Papa, this is to be a secret."

"Oh! oh! and