ked curiously at him. It was recess again when they
reached the school-house, where, as usual, Tom Walker was leading the
play. At sight of the dray he stopped suddenly, and then went swiftly
forward to the cart, and said to Jack, "Goin' to take her out in that?"

Jack reddened a little, but answered pleasantly, "Perhaps."

"Well, I guess she'll like it better than the chips I told you about.
I've thrown 'em away."

A ring from Ruby Ann's bell told the boys their recess was over, and
with a bow Tom hurried off, while Jack and his chair went on till they
reached Mrs. Biggs's door, just as Sam came up with the sea chair. That
good woman was washing in her back kitchen, but in response to the
drayman's knock she came hurriedly, wiping the soap-suds from her arms
as she came, and holding up both hands as she saw the two chairs
deposited at the door, while Sam held the note and roses, and Jack stood
looking a little shamefaced, as if he hardly knew what to say.

"For the pity sakes and the old Harry, are you moving a furniture store,
or what?" she asked.

Jack began to explain that Mrs. Amy thought, or he thought--He could not
quite bring himself to lie as glibly as Howard would have done, had he
been there, and he stammered on, that he thought Miss Smith would soon
be able to get round in a wheel chair, which he hoped she would accept
with the compliments of--He didn't say Mrs. Amy, but Mrs. Biggs
understood, and nodded that she did, helping him out by saying it was
just like Mrs. Amy, and adding that it looked a good deal like the chair
the Colonel had for a spell and then returned to Lowell & Brothers,
where she saw it a few days ago in the window.

Jack made no reply, and Mrs. Biggs continued, "I s'pose t'other chair is
Mrs. Amy's compliments, too. I'm sure I'm greatly obliged to her, and
Miss Smith will be. She is quite peart this morning. Come in and see
her."

Jack did not think he would. He'd rather have Mrs. Biggs present his
chair, feeling sure that her conscience was of the elastic kind, which
would not stop at means if a good end was attained.

"Thanks," he replied. "Later in the day I may come in. Good-morning."

He walked away, leaving Mrs. Biggs alone with Sam, who was told to take
the chairs into Eloise's room.

"Something from the Crompton House. From Mrs. Amy, they say. It is like
her to be sending things where she takes a notion as she has to you,"
Mrs. Biggs said, while Eloise looked on in asto