hough she
doesn't need it, for that matter."

"'Doesn't need it,'" echoed William in a puzzled voice.

"No. Perhaps you don't know, Mr. Henshaw, but Miss Billy is a very
popular young woman. You have reason to be proud of your namesake."

"I have always been that," declared William, with just a touch of
hauteur.

"Tell us about her," begged Bertram. "You remember I said that we wished
we did know her."

Calderwell smiled.

"I don't believe, after all, that you do know much about her," he began
musingly. "Billy is not one who talks much of herself, I fancy, in her
letters."

William frowned. This time there was more than a touch of hauteur in his
voice.

"MISS NEILSON is not one to show vanity anywhere," he said, with
suggestive emphasis on the name.

"Indeed she isn't," agreed Calderwell, heartily. "She is a fine
girl--quite one of the finest I know, in fact."

There was an uncomfortable silence. Over in the corner Cyril puffed at
his cigar with an air almost of boredom. He had not spoken since his
first surprised questioning with the others, "Do you know Billy?"
William was still frowning. Even Bertram wore a look that was not quite
satisfied.

"Miss Neilson has spent two winters in Paris now, you know," resumed
Calderwell, after a moment; "and she is very popular both with
the American colony, and with the other students. As for her 'Aunt
Hannah'--they all make a pet of her; but that is, perhaps, because Billy
herself is so devoted."

Again William frowned at the familiar "Billy"; but Calderwell talked on
unheeding.

"After all, I'm not sure but some of us regard 'Aunt Hannah' with scant
favor, occasionally," he laughed; "something as if she were the dragon
that guarded the princess, you know. Miss Billy IS popular with the men,
and she has suitors enough to turn any girl's head--but her own."

"Suitors!" cried William, plainly aghast. "Why, Billy's nothing but a
child!"

Calderwell gave an odd smile.

"How long is it since you've seen--Miss Neilson?" he asked.

"Two years."

"And then only for a few minutes just before she sailed," amended
Bertram. "We haven't really seen much of her since three years ago."

"Hm-m; well, you'll see for yourself soon. You know she's coming home
next month."

Not one of the brothers did know it--but not one of them intended that
Calderwell should find out that they did not.

"Yes, she's coming home," said William, lifting his chin a little.

"Oh, yes, ne