red to. Turning to
her, the doctor began a clear full account of the philosophy of what
she saw going on in the frog's foot. But there she met him again.

"Yes, I know, Dr. Harrison,"--she said with the simple tone of perfect
intelligence. The doctor bit his lip, while Faith stooped over the
microscope and read, and read, what was to be seen there.

"Faith," whispered Sophy, "it's cruel of me--but I am afraid your
mother will be anxious, and Julius will never let you know--"

"What time is it?" said Faith starting up.

"About--half an hour--after eight--" said the doctor.

"After _ten_, Faith."

Not another look did Faith give, but for her bonnet, and went home as
fast as the doctor would walk with her.

Whether Mrs. Derrick was anxious or no, she did not say, but glad she
certainly was to see Faith back.

"Well child," she said, undoing the wrappers from Faith's head and
neck, "I hope you've had a grand time?"

"Yes mother, very--only I didn't mean to stay so late. I meant to be
home in good time. I have seen everything, mother!"

"Everything!" said her mother,--"I guess at that rate I might say I'd
been everywhere."

"Where have you been, mother? anywhere?"

"I've been out to tea!" said her mother, with the manner of one who has
a remarkable secret on hand.

"You have! Where, mother?"

"Guess"--said Mrs. Derrick smiling at her. "I went up stairs to tea,
Faith!--what do you think of that? What'll you expect to hear of my
doing next?"

"Oh mother!" said Faith laughing,--"I am glad! That was the best thing
you could have done."

"It wasn't my doing, though," said Mrs. Derrick. "But when I went up
with Mr. Linden's tea, he asked me if you had gone, and I said yes, and
he said since there was nobody better worth seeing down stairs he
wished I'd come and drink tea with him. So I went, child, and it was
real pleasant too. And I don't know how it was, but I staid there all
the evening,--only I wouldn't let him talk to me, and he just went to
sleep as if I hadn't been there. I think he was very tired, Faith. So
then I felt very comfortable," added Mrs. Derrick smiling, "and I sat
there and watched him till Reuben came a little while ago."

"Was he tired!" said Faith, the light in her face changing. "He had
been talking to me all the afternoon!--Mother, half the pleasure I had
to-night he gave me, for he was all the afternoon preparing me for it."
She stood looking at the fire reproachfully.

"Why child,