ld be an honor and delight to me," insisted Rhodes.

Jemima resolutely arose from her chair, and planted herself in a seat
directly in front of her parent--he could not avoid her eye then--the
wrath burning there made him hesitate and stammer.

"Miss Jemima," said Elsie, "come and look at my geraniums; I think they
are finer even than yours."

But nothing short of a torpedo exploding under her chair would have made
the heroic damsel quit her post, not for one instant would she leave her
parent exposed to the wiles of that abominable widow.

"My dear, I am so tired," said she, "you must excuse me."

"Perhaps you'd like to go and lie down," persisted Elsie.

"You look fatigued," said Mrs. Harrington.

"Do I, ma'am; you're kind, I'm sure," snapped the spinster, trying to
smile. "I never lie down in the daytime; I'm very comfortable where I
am, thank you."

She might be very perfectly at ease herself, but she made her father
very uncomfortable, while Elsie and the widow never gave over teasing
for a single instant, till Elizabeth returned to the room.

Luckily dinner was announced, and the asperity of Miss Jemima's feelings
softened a little by that, especially as she reflected that her father
would be obliged to lead Mrs. Mellen into the dining-room. But that
dreadful Elsie destroyed even that forlorn hope.

"Bessie," said she, "we must ask Mr. Rhodes to play host and sit at the
foot of the table, so he shall lead Mrs. Harrington in."

Even Elizabeth could not repress a smile at the little elf's malicious
craft, and there was nothing to be said. The wretched Jemima grew fairly
white with rage, but she was obliged to control herself, and the dinner
passed off in the most social, neighborly fashion.

At a very early hour Miss Jemima insisted upon returning home, but Elsie
had a parting shaft ready for her.

"I have persuaded Mrs. Harrington and these gentlemen to stay over
to-morrow," said she. "May I promise them that we'll all drive to your
house and take luncheon, Miss Jemima, by way of returning your visit."

The spinster was compelled to express her gratification. She could do no
less, after having invited herself and her father to dinner at Piney
Cove, but her face was a perfect study while the pleasant words fell
from her compressed lips, like bullets from a mould.

"We shall be in ecstasy," said Mr. Rhodes.

"You will be in New York," retorted Jemima; "you have to go early in the
morning."

"My de