t on you," she
said softly.

"Oh, you must. You'll find me the most docile dog in the pack."

Edna listened with annoyance. She had suddenly become critical of
Sylvia's manner.

The girl turned to her.

"Will it be necessary to go to the Mill Farm before afternoon,
to-morrow?" she asked.

"Perhaps not. Why?"

"Because there is--because I want--I should like to stay here in the
morning."

"Mr. Dunham and I might go over without you," suggested Edna. "Mrs. Lem
could doubtless give me what you want."

The alacrity of Sylvia's assent to this proposition puzzled the hostess
still further.

"Oh, no, there'd be plenty of time if we went in the afternoon," said
John. "Let's take the witch with us for luck."

Edna regarded him as he stood against a boulder pillar looking down at
Sylvia. "She may not need to use her bottle," was her reflection.

"Do sing us something, Edna," said Sylvia.

"Not to-night, please. I don't feel like singing; and when I don't it
is an infliction on my poor audience."

"I wish you would, Edna. I've not heard you," said Dunham.

"Just the reason why I refuse," she returned. "I'm far too vain."

"She is the spirit of music," said Sylvia, regarding her hostess
affectionately.

"But the spirit isn't always willing?" asked Dunham.

"No, not always," returned Edna, rising. "This is Liberty Hall, people,
so don't move till you get ready; but if you'll excuse me I'm going to
bed."

Sylvia rose at once. She would like to linger on this dim piazza for
hours, and to fancy that Dunham stayed too from choice and not from
courtesy; but she well knew that the charm of the occasion would vanish
with Edna, and even if it were not so, the Prince's companionship was
not for her without the Princess.

Dunham turned to her. "It isn't sleepy time for you, too, is it?"

"Yes, I believe it is. I'm sorry to be so--so unsporty."

"It's all a bluff, too. Just as if we didn't know that as soon as the
rest of us innocents are quiet and dreaming of blueberries, your window
will fly open and off you'll go on a broomstick."

Sylvia smiled. "I don't believe any one of this party will dream as
hard of blueberries as I shall," she declared.

"Come now, you know you're trading on a man's supposed superiority to
curiosity,--only supposed, mind you."

"I never even supposed it," put in Sylvia with light scorn.

"Tell me what you were brewing on that stove to-night."

Edna's features were rigid in her impa