ied with a faded blue ribbon, one of the cuffs of
her shirt-waist fastened with a pin. All this Edith took in at a glance.

"Cynthia, you look like a guy."

"I guess I am one."

"Don't be so terribly Yankee as to say 'guess.'"

"I am a Yankee, so why shouldn't I talk like one? Oh, Edith, what do I
care about ribbons and sleeve-buttons when I have to go and apologize to
Aunt Betsey."

Edith was supplying the deficiencies in her sister's toilet.

"It is too bad. Janet ought not to have told. But it is just like
everything else--all Mrs. Franklin's fault."

"Edith, what do you mean? Mamma did not make Janet tell; she tried to
stop papa."

"I know she _appeared_ to. But if papa had not married again would this
ever have happened? You would not have heard at Mrs. Parker's that he
was going to, Mrs. Parker wouldn't have said 'I told you so' to Aunt
Betsey, Aunt Betsey wouldn't have found out you were there--"

"Edith, what a goose you are! Any other time you would scold me for
having done it, and I know I deserve it. Now you are putting all the
blame on mamma. You are terribly unjust."

"There, now, you have turned against me, all because of Mrs. Franklin. I
declare it is too bad!"

"Oh, Edith, I do wonder when you will find out what a lovely woman mamma
is! Of course you will have to some day; you can't help it. There, they
are calling, and I must run! Good-by."

Hastily kissing her sister, Cynthia ran off.

Neal had much enjoyed the scene at the breakfast-table. He only wished
that he had been present when Cynthia impersonated her aunt. It must
have been immense. He wished that he could go also to Wayborough, but he
was not invited to join the party. He was to be left alone for the day
with Edith, for Mr. Franklin had decided that Jack should accompany
them, to thank Aunt Betsey once more, and to tell her himself of the
success of the hatch.

"I'll have to step round pretty lively, then," said Jack. "Those birds
must get to the brooders before I go. Come along, Neal. It's an awful
bore having to go to Wayborough the very first day. You'll have to look
after the chicks, and don't you forget it."

The chickens safely housed, and the family gone, Neal prepared to enjoy
the day. He had made up his mind to see something of Edith, and he had
no idea of working by himself, especially as there was no absolute
necessity for it.

"The day is too hot for work, anyhow," he said to himself.

[TO BE CONTINUED.]