ly.

Kester had spoken in a loud whisper, but she had overheard every word.
Mollie started off with a look of relief to hunt up the old woman, and
when Audrey found herself alone with Kester she could not help saying to
him:

'Mollie is a very young housekeeper--girls of fourteen are liable to
forget sometimes;' but to her surprise he fired up at once:

'They all expect too much of her; I hate to see her slave as she does:
it is not right, it is not fair--I tell Cyril so. She has no time to
herself; all her lessons are neglected. If only mother would send Biddy
away and get another servant!'

'Who teaches Mollie, then?' she asked, a little curiously.

'Oh, mother gives her lessons sometimes, but they are not very regular,
and I help her with arithmetic and Latin. Cyril always gives me an hour
or two in the evening, when his work is done, but of course Mollie does
not care to learn Greek.'

'Do you mean that your brother gives you lessons when he has been
teaching all day?'

'Yes, and he is awfully tired sometimes; but he never likes me to be
disappointed. Mother often tries to make him take a walk instead; but
Cyril is such a brick: he never will listen to her.'

Audrey felt a little glow of satisfaction as she heard this. What a kind
brother Mr. Blake seemed to be--how truly estimable! she would never
judge hastily of anyone again. Just then the clock struck one, and she
told Kester that she must hurry away. She was disappointed that Mrs.
Blake had not yet appeared--she wanted to see the face that had haunted
her so persistently; but the bewitching widow had not shown herself.

'I am afraid I must go, or I shall be late for luncheon,' she said
hurriedly.

'I will tell Mollie,' returned the boy; and then he said a little
awkwardly: 'You have been awfully good to us, Miss Ross; I don't know
how Mollie and I are to thank you. You must be quite tired out.'

Audrey laughed.

'I am not so easily tired, Kester, and I am rather fond of this sort of
work. Do you think your mother would mind if I were to look in to-morrow
afternoon and help a little with the drawing-room? Mollie said something
about it just now, and I half promised--she is to help Biddy put up the
plates and dishes this afternoon; that will be as much as she can do.'

'I am sure mother will be only too delighted,' replied Kester
gratefully; and then Audrey went in search of Mollie, and found her
occupied with the chops, while Biddy cleaned the kn