rk in English. He retired, repeating
between spasms of enjoyment: "Oh, I sink so. Awe time nise in Jap-pon!"

The day dragged on, to all outward seeming like all of Sammy's days.
Twilight made her close her book and straighten her bent shoulders.
Pong came in to set the table. The slamming of the hall door announced
her father.

Presently Mrs. Moore, the housekeeper, came downstairs. Lamps were
lighted; dinner loitered its leisurely way. After it the doctor set up
one of his endless chess problems on the end of the table, and Sammy
returned to David Copperfield.

"Father, you know Anthony Gayley--that young carpenter in Torney's
shop?"

"I do, my dear."

"Well, Clown ran away to-day, and he really saved me from a bad smash."

A long pause.

"Ha!" said the doctor, presently. "Set this down, will you, Sammy? Rook
to queen's fourth. Check. Now, knight--any move. No--hold on. Yes.
Knight any move. Now, rook--wait a minute!"

His voice fell, his eyes were fixed. Sammy sighed.

At eight she fell to mending the fire with such vigor that her
colorless little face burned. Then her spine felt chilly. Sammy turned
about, trying to toast evenly; but it couldn't be done. She thought
suddenly of her warm bed, put her finger in her book, kissed her
father's bald spot between two yawns, and went upstairs.

The dreams went, too. There was nothing in this neglected, lonely day,
typical of all her days, to check them. It was delicious, snuggling
down in the chilly sheets, to go on dreaming.

Again she was riding alone in the woods. Again Clown was running away.
Again, big gentle Anthony Gayley was galloping behind her. Again for
that breathless moment she was in his arms. Sammy shut her eyes....

Her father, coming upstairs, wakened her. She lay smiling in the dark.
What had she been thinking of? Oh, yes! And out came the dream horses
and their riders again....

The next day she rode over the same bit of road again, and the day
after, and the day after that. The rides were absolutely uneventful,
but sweet with dreams.

A week later Sammy teased Mrs. Moore into taking her to the Elks'
concert and dance at the Wheatfield Hall over the post-office. When
Mrs. Moore protested at this unheard-of proceeding, the girl used her
one unfailing threat: "Then I'll tell father I want another governess!"

Mrs. Moore hated governesses. There had been no governess at the
doctor's for two years. She looked uneasy. "You've nothing to wear