their wafers in the most
amicable fashion possible, talking over, not alone the pleasant
experiences, but also that which had threatened to spoil Nan's day, the
remembrance of which made her shudder even now.

She repeated the incident to Miss Blake, concluding with:

"I don't care what they think!"

"John was right," declared Miss Blake, "and you did what was brave and
just. But don't give up trying to win Mary's and Grace's good opinion,
Nan. I want you to be respected and loved, and you can be, if you will
only be as true to yourself as you are to your friends. You were not
satisfied to let Lu and Ruth rest under a false accusation this
morning. Neither should you be satisfied to let yourself. Prove to
Mary and Grace that you are neither bold nor brazen. Force them to see
that you are kind and lovable and courageous."

"Oh, dear! How can I?" despaired Nan.

"Why, simply by being so," declared Miss Blake.

Nan fell silent, and then, when Miss Blake was just beginning to wonder
what new caprice her guest had fallen victim to, she broke out
impetuously:

"Oh, I say Miss Blake! it is just festive in here. I never saw
anything that began to be so pretty."

It was genuine praise, and Miss Blake really flushed with gratification
as she replied:

"Thank you, Nan. I think myself it is cozy, and I am very happy if my
little nest pleases you. It is a very simple one. I am my own
upholsterer and my own decorator, so I have a special reason to value
any praise of my small domain. You must come often if you like it
here, for I love to play hostess to so appreciative a guest!"

Nan settled back among the cushions with a contented sigh.

"I wish," she said presently, "I wish the rest of the house looked this
way."

"If you really would like to make some changes, Nan, I will do my best.
What there is in the house is good and substantial, and with a little
alteration could be made to serve very well."

Nan looked up eagerly.

"Oh, let's try and fix up the house, for father's coming home. Mr.
Turner will give us some money to pay for repairs, I guess--he always
does when pipes burst and things. Won't it be jolly to watch father's
face when he comes in and sees it all so pretty here? Poor old papa!
Mr. Turner says he may come in the fall, and so we'll have all the
summer to work and plan in, and then when he's here, won't we have a
jubilation, Miss Blake?"

The governess stooped to pick up a pin, and s