our regulations posted in several
places upon the walls.

"And now that we have finished 'business' for the present, let us talk
of something pleasanter. Tell me about that 'Aunt Betty' of yours,
whom our good Bishop lauds so highly."

Vastly relieved that the dreaded "scolding" had been so mild and Miss
Tross-Kingdon so really kind, Dorothy eagerly obeyed, and was
delighted to see a real interest in this wonderful aunt showing in
the teacher's face.

But her enthusiastic description of Mrs. Calvert was rudely
interrupted by a childish scream and little Millikins-Pillikins flying
wildly into the room, to spring into Miss Muriel's lap and hide her
face on the lady's shoulder, begging:

"Don't you let him! Don't you let him! Oh! Auntie, don't you!"

"Why, darling, what is this? What sent you out of bed, just in your
nightgown? What has frightened you?"

"The debbil!"

"Grace! What wicked word is that you speak?"

"It was, _it was!_ I seen him! He come--set on my feet--an'--an'--Oh!
Auntie Prin, you hold me close. 'Cause he was a talkin' debbil. He
come to cotch me--he said it, yes he did."

Miss Tross-Kingdon was as perplexed as horrified. That little Grace,
her orphan niece and the dearest thing in life to her, should speak
like this and be in such a state was most amazing.

For a few seconds she did hold the little one "close" and in silence,
tenderly stroking the small body and folding her own light shawl about
it, and gradually its trembling ceased, the shuddering sobs grew
fainter and fewer and the exhausted little maid fell fast asleep. Just
then the clock on the mantel chimed for eight and Miss Muriel's place
was in assembly, on the platform with the famous lecturer who had come
to do her great school honor. She must go and at once.

Dorothy, watching, saw the struggle in the aunt's mind depicted on her
face. With a tender clasp of the little one she put her own desire
aside and turned to duty; and the girl's own heart warmed to the
stately woman as she had not believed it ever could.

Dawkins had prophesied: "You'll love Miss Muriel, once you know her,"
but Dorothy had not believed her. Yet here it was coming true already!

"Dorothy, will you please ring for a maid to look after Grace? Wake
up, darling, Auntie Prin must go."

The child roused as her aunt spoke, but when she attempted to put her
down and rise, the frantic screams broke out afresh, nor would she
submit to be lifted by the maid who