res; and Polly and Flower were deeply engrossed over a matter of
considerable importance.

When Polly had replied in the negative to Helen's question, she lingered
for a moment in the passage outside the morning-room, then started off
to find Nurse and little Pearl. Flower, however, waited with a feeling
of curiosity, or perhaps something more, to hear what the others would
say. She was witness, therefore, through the open door, of Firefly's
curious mixture of avowal and denial, and when Mrs. Cameron went away to
consult the doctor who attended Dr. Maybright, she coolly waited in an
adjoining room, and when the good woman returned, once more placed
herself within earshot. No Maybright would dream of eavesdropping, but
Flower's upbringing had been decidedly lax with regard to this and other
matters.

In full possession, therefore, of the facts of the catastrophe which was
to overpower poor little Fly and injure Dr. Maybright, she rushed off to
find Polly. Polly was feeling intensely happy, playing with and fondling
her sweet little baby sister, when Flower, pale and excited, rushed into
the room. Nurse, who had not yet forgiven Flower, turned her back upon
the young lady, and hummed audibly. Flower, however, was far too much
absorbed to heed her.

"Listen, Polly! you have got to come with me at once. Give baby back to
Nurse. You must come with me directly."

"If it is anything more about Scorpion, I refuse to stir," answered
Polly. "If there is a creature in this world whom I absolutely loathe,
it's that detestable little animal!"

"You don't hate him more than I do," said Flower. "My news is about him.
Still, you must come, for it also means Firefly and your father. They'll
both get into awful trouble--I know they will--if we don't save them."

"What?" said Polly; "what? Take baby, please, Nurse. Now, what is it,
Flower?" pulling her outside the nursery door. "What _has_ that horrid
Scorpion to do with Fly and father?"

"Only this: Fly has confessed that she knows what has become of him, but
she's a dear little brick and won't tell. She says she's a Maybright,
and they don't tell lies. Three cheers for the Maybrights, if they are
all like Fly, say I! Well, the little love won't tell, and Mrs. Cameron
is fit to dance, and what does she do but gets leave from Dr. Strong to
see your father, and she's going to drag Fly before him at three o'clock
to-day, and make a fine story of what happened. She holds it over Fly