's
work-basket and a shabby little cotton-box that was appropriated to her
own use, and sewed industriously, only pausing at intervals to watch the
white, slender fingers that seemed to make the needle fly through the
stuff.

Mrs. Blake was evidently an accomplished seamstress, and long before
four o'clock the curtains were put up, and duly admired by the whole
family and Biddy.

CHAPTER VII

KESTER'S HERO

'Measure thy life by loss instead of gain--
Not by wine drunk, but by the wine poured forth;
For love's strength standeth in love's sacrifice;
And whose suffers most hath most to give.'

UGO BASSI.

Audrey was bent on keeping her promise to Mollie, but she found a great
deal of finesse and skilful management were necessary to secure her
afternoon from interruption.

First, there was a note from Hillside. Mrs. Harcourt had to pay a round
of visits, and would be glad of her sister's company: and as Mrs. Ross
evidently thought that a refusal was impossible under such
circumstances, Audrey felt that she was in a dilemma.

'Gage will have the carriage,' she said, with a trace of annoyance in
her tone. 'She cannot possibly require me, especially as she knows an
afternoon spent in paying formal calls is my pet abomination.'

'But, my dear Audrey, you would surely not allow your sister to go
alone,' began her mother in a voice of mild remonstrance. She very
seldom interfered with Audrey--indeed, that young person was in most
respects her own mistress--but when Geraldine's interests were involved
Mrs. Ross could be firm. 'You are very good-natured,' she went on, 'and
I am sure it is very good of you to take all that trouble for those poor
neglected children'--for Mrs. Ross's motherly sympathies were already
enlisted on behalf of Mollie and Kester--'but, of course, your first
duty is to your sister.'

'But, my dear mother, a promise is a promise, and poor little Mollie is
expecting me.' And then a bright idea came to Audrey. 'Why should you
not go with Gage yourself? It is a lovely afternoon, and the drive will
do you good. Gage would much prefer your company to mine, and you know
how much she admires your new bonnet;' and though Mrs. Ross faintly
demurred to this, she was in the end overruled by Audrey.

'Dear mother! she and Gage will enjoy themselves thoroughly,' thought
Audrey, as she watched Mrs. Ross drive from the door, looking the
pictu