bank, awaiting them. And Mrs. Ferris, though able, when she chose,
to make herself extremely charming, was a very outspoken lady.

There was no mistake about her astonishment. Her eyebrows went up, and
her eyes ran questioningly over the white-frocked figure.

"What, only Mittie! How is this? Where is Joan?"

Mittie felt rather small, but she was not going to admit that she had
been in the wrong.

"Joan wouldn't come," she said, smiling.

"Is she not well?"

"Oh yes; quite well. I did try to persuade her--but she wouldn't."

The mother and daughter exchanged glances. Fred was already walking
away, and Mary remarked:

"Joan always thinks first of other people. I dare say she felt that she
could not leave Mrs. Wills."

Mittie, conscious of implied blame, grew pink and eager to defend
herself.

"She could have come--perfectly well! There wasn't the _least_ reason
why she shouldn't. Grannie was all right. Joan simply--simply wouldn't!"
Mittie stopped, knowing that she had conveyed a false impression, but
pride withheld her from modifying the words. "I told her she might--just
as well."

Mrs. Ferris began to move towards the house. "It is a great pity," she
said. "We all counted on having Joan. However, it cannot be helped now.
I hope you will enjoy yourself, my dear. Mary will show you over the
garden and the house."

To Mary she added: "The old castle must wait for another time, I
think--when Joan is here."

Mittie cast a questioning look, and Mary said, in explanation: "Only an
old ruin a few miles off. We meant to have an excursion there this
afternoon."

Mittie loved excursions, and could not resist saying so. No notice was
taken of this appeal; but somewhat later she overheard a murmured remark
from Mrs. Ferris to Mary.

[Sidenote: "Certainly not--now!"]

"No, certainly not--now. Fred will not care to go. He is very much
disappointed, poor boy! If only one could be sure that it means
nothing!" But Mittie was not meant to hear this.

They were very kind to her, and she really had nothing to complain of on
the score of inattention. Mary, who happened to be the only daughter at
home, took her in charge and put her through a steady course of gardens,
glasshouses, family pets, and old furniture--for none of which Mittie
cared a rap. What she had wanted was a gay young party, plenty of fun
and merriment, and for herself abundance of admiration.

But Fred made himself scarce, only appearing at luncheon