mission to Harlowe House, but she's living
there as my guest for a few days until she finds out whether she
'belongs.' Suppose you walk over there with me. I wish you to see the
house before the tenants arrive. I'll tell you the strange story of Mary
Reynolds on the way over. Emma's at home, so you can see her, too."

"All right, I'll go, provided you and your entire family, including Mary
Reynolds, escort me to the train to meet Kathleen."

"Here's my hand on it," promised Grace.

Patience caught it in both of hers. "It's good to be here, Grace," she
said earnestly.

"It's good to have you here, Patience," returned Grace, in the same
earnest tone.

Patience was met at the door by Emma, who had seen their approach from
the living-room window, and who now pounced upon Patience and joyfully
escorted her into the living-room.

"The plot thickens," declaimed Emma as the three paused in the middle of
the room. "Hurrah for the old guard! Like Macbeth's immortal witches,
I'll perform my antic round, just to show how jubilant I feel." She
executed a few fantastic steps about Patience, then paused beside her,
one hand on her shoulder. "Where did you acquire Patience, Grace?"

"I acquired this particular kind of Patience on the campus just a few
moments ago. I have never actually acquired the other kind."

"You're not the only one," murmured Emma significantly.

"Where is our freshman-to-be?"

"In her room and fast asleep, I suppose. Although she wouldn't admit it,
I know she was completely tired out. I could see that," she added slyly.

Patience and Grace smiled in quick recognition of J. Elfreda Briggs' pet
phrase.

"How I wish 'I could see' dear old J. Elfreda. Wouldn't it be glorious
if she were suddenly to appear in the flesh," sighed Emma.

"She was here with Mrs. Gray and I in August, Patience." Grace went on
to relate the details of Elfreda's visit. "Emma has heard all this
before. Still, you don't mind hearing it again, do you, Emma?"

"I could listen to it forever, and then ask for a repetition," asserted
Emma with gallant glibness.

"I won't be so malicious as to take you at your word," returned Grace.
"Will you tell Patience all the news while I run upstairs to see Miss
Reynolds?"

"I will," nodded Emma, "and tell it truthfully and without
embellishments. I am not a yellow journal. I am a reliable purveyor of
facts and nothing but facts." She pounded on the library table with her
clenched fist to e