cy, as he advanced towards her.
"It is a little cool here, Miss Pettengill. Allow me to place your shawl
about you;" and, suiting the action to the word, he put it gently over
her shoulders.

"Yes," said Alice, "I put it on when I first came down. It interfered
with my playing and I threw it into the chair."

"May I take the chair, now that it is unoccupied?" he asked.

"Yes," said Alice, "if you will give me your word of honor that you did
not try to make me think it was cold: here, so that you could get the
chair."

Quincy replied with a laugh, "If I did my reward is a great return for
my power of invention, but I assure you I was thinking of your health
and not of the chair, when I tendered my services."

"You are an adept in sweet speeches, Mr. Sawyer. You city young men all
are; but our country youth, who are just as true and honest, are at a
great disadvantage, because they cannot say what they think in so
pleasing a way."

"I hope you do not think I am insincere," remarked Quincy, gravely.

"Not at all," said Alice, "but I have not answered your question. How
did I know that it was you? You must remember, Mr. Sawyer, that those
who cannot see have their hearing accentuated, and the ear kindly sends
those pictures to the brain which unfortunately the eye cannot supply."

"I have enjoyed your playing and singing immensely," said Quincy. "Let
us try that duet again."

They sang it again, and then they went from piece to piece, each
suggesting her or his favorite, and it was not till Mandy's shrill voice
once more called out with more than usual force and sharpness, "Supper's
ready," that the piano was closed and Quincy, for the first time taking
Alice's hand in his, led her from the parlor, which was almost shrouded
in darkness, into the bright light of the dining-room, where they took
their accustomed seats. They ate but little, their hearts were full of
the melody that each had enjoyed so much.

CHAPTER XXI

SOME MORE NEW IDEAS.

When Ezekiel and Cobb's twins returned from West Eastborough, they said
the air felt like snow. Mandy had kept some supper for them. Ezekiel
said they had supper over to Eastborough Centre, but the home cooking
smelled so good that all three sat down in the kitchen and disposed of
what Mandy had provided.

The other members of the Pettengill household were in their respective
rooms. Uncle Ike was reading a magazine. Alice had not retired, for
Mandy always came to