inner.
She would find out if they were justified, and she would act decidedly
before any further mischief was done. Evelyn was alone, and her
mother kissed her fondly several times and then threw herself into an
easy-chair and declared she was tired.

"My dear, I have had such an unpleasant interview."

"I am sorry," said Evelyn, seating herself on the arm of the chair and
putting her arm round her mother's neck. "With whom, mamma?"

"Oh, with that Mr. Burnett." Mrs. Mavick felt a nervous start in the arm
that caressed her.

"Here?"

"Yes, he came to see your father, I fancy, about some business. I think
he is not getting on very well."

"Why, his book--"

"I know, but that amounts to nothing. There is not much chance for a
lawyer's clerk who gets bitten with the idea that he can write."

"If he was in trouble, mamma," said Evelyn, softly, "then you were good
to him."

"I tried to be," Mrs. Mavick half sighed, "but you can't do anything
with such people" (by 'such people' Mrs. Mavick meant those who have no
money) "when they don't get on. They are never reasonable. And he was
in such an awful bad temper. You cannot show any kindness to such people
without exposing yourself. I think he presumes upon his acquaintance
with your father. It was most disagreeable, and he was so rude" (a
little thrill in the arm again)--"well, not exactly rude, but he was
not a bit nice to me, and I am afraid I showed by my looks that I was
irritated. He was just as disagreeable as he could be.

"He met Lord Montague on the steps, and he had something spiteful to
say about him. I had to tell him he was presuming a good deal on his
acquaintance, and that I considered his manner insulting. He flung out
of the house very high and mighty."

"That was not a bit like him, mamma."

"We didn't know him. That is all. Now we do, and I am thankful we do. He
will never come here again."

Evelyn was very still for a moment, and then she said: "I'm very sorry
for it all. It must be some misunderstanding."

"Of course, it is dreadful to be so disappointed in people. But we have
to learn. I don't know anything about his misunderstanding, but I did
not misunderstand what he said. At any rate, after such an exposition we
can have no further intercourse with him. You will not care to see any
one who treated your mother in this way? If you love me, you cannot be
friendly with him. I know you would not like to be."

Evelyn did not reply for a m