you," she panted. "But it was so funny, when I expected a
girl, you know, to see him with his brown beard, and he was so tall and
big! And, of course, it made me think how _I_ came, and was a girl when
you expected a boy; and Mrs. Carleton had just said to-day that maybe
this girl would even things up. Oh, it was so funny!"

"Billy, my-my dear," remonstrated Uncle William, mildly.

"But what _is_ his name?" demanded Cyril.

"Did the creature sign himself 'Mary Jane'?" exploded Bertram.

"I don't know his name, except that it's 'M. J.'--and that's how he
signed the letters. But he _is_ called 'Mary Jane' sometimes, and in the
letter he quoted somebody's speech--I've forgotten just how--but in it
he was called 'Mary Jane,' and, of course, Aunt Hannah took him for a
girl," explained Billy, grown a little more coherent now.

"Didn't he write again?" asked William.

"Yes."

"Well, why didn't he correct the mistake, then?" demanded Bertram.

Billy chuckled.

"He didn't want to, I guess. He thought it was too good a joke."

"Joke!" scoffed Cyril.

"But, see here, Billy, he isn't going to live here--now?" Bertram's
voice was almost savage.

"Oh, no, he isn't going to live here--now," interposed smooth tones from
the doorway.

"Mr.--Arkwright!" breathed Billy, confusedly.

Three crimson-faced men sprang to their feet. The situation, for a
moment, threatened embarrassed misery for all concerned; but Arkwright,
with a cheery smile, advanced straight toward Bertram, and held out a
friendly hand.

"The proverbial fate of listeners," he said easily; "but I don't blame
you at all. No, 'he' isn't going to live here," he went on, grasping
each brother's hand in turn, as Billy murmured faint introductions; "and
what is more, he hereby asks everybody's pardon for the annoyance his
little joke has caused. He might add that he's heartily-ashamed of
himself, as well; but if any of you--" Arkwright turned to the three
tall men still standing by their chairs--"if any of you had suffered
what he has at the hands of a swarm of youngsters for that name's sake,
you wouldn't blame him for being tempted to get what fun he could out of
Mary Jane--if there ever came a chance!"

Naturally, after this, there could be nothing stiff or embarrassing.
Billy laughed in relief, and motioned Mr. Arkwright to a seat near her.
William said "Of course, of course!" and shook hands again. Bertram and
Cyril laughed shamefacedly and sat down. Som