d cold--and
she isn't over it, yet," finished the little woman in painful
embarrassment.

"Of course she took cold--standing all those hours in that horrid wind,
Friday!" cried Billy, indignantly.

A quick red flew to Alice Greggory's face. Billy saw it at once and
fervently wished she had spoken of anything but that Friday afternoon.
It looked almost as if she were _reminding_ them of what she had
done that day. In her confusion, and in her anxiety to say
something--anything that would get their minds off that idea--she
uttered now the first words that came into her head. As it happened,
they were the last words that sober second thought would have told her
to say.

"Never mind, Mrs. Greggory. We'll have her all well and strong soon;
never fear! Just wait till I send Peggy and Mary Jane to take her out
for a drive one of these mild, sunny days. You have no idea how much
good it will do her!"

Alice Greggory got suddenly to her feet. Her face was very white now.
Her eyes had the steely coldness that Billy knew so well. Her voice,
when she spoke, was low and sternly controlled.

"Miss Neilson, you will think me rude, of course, especially after your
great kindness to me the other day; but I can't help it. It seems to me
best to speak now before it goes any further."

"Alice, dear," remonstrated Mrs. Greggory, extending a frightened hand.

The girl did not turn her head nor hesitate; but she caught the extended
hand and held it warmly in both her own, with gentle little pats, while
she went on speaking.

"I'm sure mother agrees with me that it is best, for the present, that
we keep quite to ourselves. I cannot question your kindness, of course,
after your somewhat unusual favor the other day; but I am very sure that
your friends, Miss Peggy, and Miss Mary Jane, have no real desire
to make my acquaintance, nor--if you'll pardon me--have I, under the
circumstances, any wish to make theirs."

"Oh, Alice, Alice," began the little mother, in dismay; but a rippling
laugh from their visitor brought an angry flush even to her gentle face.

Billy understood the flush, and struggled for self-control.

"Please--please, forgive me!" she choked. "But you see--you couldn't, of
course, know that Mary Jane and Peggy aren't _girls_. They're just a man
and an automobile!"

An unwilling smile trembled on Alice Greggory's lips; but she still
stood her ground.

"After all, girls, or men and automobiles, Miss Neilson--it makes