s absent more than an hour. Lizzie was becoming afraid of
something she knew not what--something due, perhaps, to the suggestion
laid upon her by Jane Holder's abortive attempt, when Tilly appeared at
the head of the stairs, her nunlike face in the disk of the lamp's rays.

"I've swept and dusted, and made the bed," she said. "There are a few of
his things that I'd like to have, provided you don't want to keep
them--the books, the drawings, and his hat and shoes."

"You may have them," Lizzie answered, as they went back into the parlor
and sat down.

"I am going to ask another favor," Tilly went on. "I intended to spend
the night at the cottage, but if you wouldn't mind I'd like to stay here
with you and sleep in John's old bed. You may think it odd, but I want
to do it, Mrs. Trott. I want to do it more than anything in the world."

"Oh!" Lizzie started and protested, "you couldn't stay here, my child.
It would never do. You are too young and inexperienced to understand
why. I've harmed you and John enough already; surely you see--you see--"

"I know what you mean, but it doesn't matter," Tilly insisted. "I want
to stay to-night, for I must go back to-morrow. Don't refuse me--please,
please don't! I want to sleep there and I want to get up in the morning
and cook your breakfast and make your coffee for you. Please, please let
me."

Lizzie lowered her head. Her features were in the shadow. She was very
silent. Then Tilly felt some tears falling on her hands, and with her
black-bordered handkerchief she wiped Lizzie's wet cheeks and drew her
head down to her shoulder. Suddenly, as if ashamed of her emotion,
Lizzie rose, went to the front door and stood there in silence, looking
out.

"How could I let her do it?" she reflected. "If it got out she would be
stamped as I am by the public. No, it won't do--it won't do; and yet,
and yet, the dear, sweet child--"

She turned back to Tilly and sat down. "I don't know what to do," she
faltered. "You are upset now with grief, and are willing to do things
that later on you may be sorry for. Go back to the cottage and stay
there. It will be best."

"No, Mrs. Trott--mother, I'm going to call you mother. I shall not
desert you to-night. From the cottage I saw the hearse come here this
afternoon and a man told me what it meant. This is your first night
alone and I must be with you."

In silence Lizzie acquiesced. Remembering that Mandy had left supper
prepared, she went to t