an to weep, and answered gently:--

"Yes, mother, I did, but I did not--did not--" A just and injured wrath
gathered on the face of Justice.

"Didn't I command you not?"

"I'll tell you all about it, Mrs. Bays," interrupted Dic. "I coaxed her
to go in." (Rita's heart thanked him for the lie.) "The others all
insisted. One of the boys dragged her to the centre of the room and she
just had to go into the game. She only remained a short time, and what
Tom referred to is this: she would not allow any one to--to kiss her,
and she quit the game when she--she refused me."

"She quit the game when it quit, I 'low. Isn't that right?" asked the
inquisitor.

"The game stopped when she went out--"

"I thought as much," replied Mrs. Bays, straightening up for the purpose
of delivering judgment. "Now go to bed at once, you disobedient,
indecent girl! I'm ashamed of you, and blush that Mr. Little should know
your wickedness."

"Oh, please let me stay," sobbed Rita, but Mrs. Bays pointed to the door
and Rita rose, gave one glance to Dic, and went weeping to her room. Mr.
Bays said mildly:--

"Margarita, you should not have been so hard on the girl."

"Now, Tom Bays," responded the strenuous spouse, "I'll thank you not to
meddle with my children. I know my duty, and I'll do it. Lord knows I
wish I could shirk it as some people do, but I can't. I must do my duty
when the Lord is good enough to point it out, or my conscience will
smite me. There's many a person with my heart would sit by and let her
child just grow up in the wilderness like underbrush; but I _must_ do
my duty, Mr. Little, in the humble sphere in which Providence has placed
me. Give every man his just dues, and do my duty. That's all I know, Mr.
Little. 'Justice to all and punishment for sinners;' that's my motto and
my husband will tell you I live up to it." She looked for confirmation
to her spouse, who said regretfully:--

"Yes, I must say that's true."

"There," cried triumphant Justice. "You see, I don't boast. I despise
boasting." She took up her knitting, put on her glasses, closed her
lips, and thus announced that court was also closed.

Poor Rita, meantime, was sobbing, upstairs at her window.

After a long, awkward silence, Billy Little addressed Dic. "I came up to
spend the night with you, and if you are going home, I'll walk and lead
my horse. I suppose you walked down?"

"Yes," answered Dic; "I'll go with you."

"I'm sorry to carry off your