ou back! You couldn't think it from my way--but I
am--rather! It's been awful here--simply awful, since the boys all
left."

Again her eyes filled with quick tears, and she dashed out with the dog
bounding about her and leaping up to thrust his great tongue in her
face. "You are too big for the house, Zip. Down, sir!" In an instant she
was back, putting her tousled head in at the door.

"David, when mamma is finished with you, come out and see my dogs. I
have five already, and Nancy is going to litter soon. Calkins is to take
them into the country to-morrow, for they are just cooped up here." She
withdrew, and David heard her heavy-soled shoes clatter down the long
halls. He and his mother smiled as they listened, looking into each
other's eyes.

"She is a dear child, but life means only a good time to her as yet."

"Well, let it. She has splendid stuff in her and is bound to make a
splendid woman."

"She's right, David. It has been awful since your brother left." David
sat beside her and placed his hand on hers. Again it was in his mind to
tell her of Cassandra, and again he was stopped by the tenor of her next
remark. "You see how it is, my son; Laura can't understand, but you
will."

"I'm not sure that I do. Open your heart to me, mother; tell me what you
mean."

"My dear son. I don't like to begin with worries. It is so sweet to have
you back in the home. May you always stay with us."

"I don't mind the worries, mother," he said tenderly; "I am here to help
you. What is it?

"It is only that, although we have inherited the title and estates, we
are not there. We will be received, of course, but at first only by
those who have axes to grind. There are so many such, and it is hard to
protect one's self from them. For instance, there is Lady Willisbeck.
Her own set have cut her completely for--certain reasons--there is no
need to retail unpleasant gossip,--but she was one of the first to call.
Her daughter, Lady Isabel, gave Laura that dog,--but all the more
because Laura and Lady Isabel were in school together, and were on the
same hockey team, they will have that excuse for clinging to us like
burs.

"Lady Willisbeck would like very much now, for her daughter's sake, to
win back her place in society, although she did not seem to value it for
herself. Long before her mother's life became common talk,--because she
was infatuated with your cousin Lyon, Lady Isabel chose Laura for her
chum, and the two have