en for years: the ocean, the green fields, and a summer play or
two, perhaps.

"Then there's a little couple that live in a third-story flat in South
Boston. They're young and like good times; but the man is on a small
salary, and they have had lots of sickness. He's been out so much he
can't take any vacation, and they wouldn't have any money to go anywhere
if he could. Well, I'm going to have them a week. She'll be here all the
time, and he'll come out at night, of course.

"Another one is a widow with six children. The children are already
provided for by a fresh-air society, but the woman I'm going to take,
and--and give her a whole week of food that she didn't have to cook
herself. Another one is a woman who is not so very poor, but who has
lost her baby, and is blue and discouraged. There are some children,
too, one crippled, and a boy who says he's 'just lonesome.' And there
are--really, Bertram, there is no end to them."

"I can well believe that," declared Bertram, with emphasis, "so far as
your generous heart is concerned."

Billy colored and looked distressed.

"But it isn't generosity or charity at all, Bertram," she protested.
"You are mistaken when you think it is--really! Why, I shall enjoy every
bit of it just as well as they do--and better, perhaps."

"But you stay here--in the city--all summer for their sakes."

"What if I do? Besides, this isn't the real city," argued Billy, "with
all these trees and lawns about one. And another thing," she added,
leaning forward confidentially, "I might as well confess, Bertram, you
couldn't hire me to leave the place this summer--not while all these
things I planted are coming up!"

Bertram laughed; but for some reason he looked wonderfully happy as he
turned away.

On the fifteenth of June Kate and her husband arrived from the West. A
young brother of Mr. Hartwell's was to be graduated from Harvard, and
Kate said they had come on to represent the family, as the elder Mr. and
Mrs. Hartwell were not strong enough to undertake the journey. Kate was
looking well and happy. She greeted Billy with effusive cordiality, and
openly expressed her admiration of Hillside. She looked very keenly into
her brothers' face, and seemed well pleased with the appearance of Cyril
and Bertram, but not so much so with William's countenance.

"William does NOT look well," she declared one day when she and Billy
were alone together.

"Sick? Uncle William sick? Oh, I hope not!"