from the fact that the parting lips disclosed
two rows of perfect teeth. She had two dimples that came and went as
she smiled, and in her chin was a small cleft that was quivering a
little, Nan noticed. She thought the governess looked as if she were
going to cry. Her eyes seemed somewhat "teary round the lashes," and
there was no doubt about it--her chin was quivering.

"Pooh!" thought Nan. "I might have saved myself all that worry. She's
as afraid as she can be. I guess I'll be able to manage her as easy as
pie."

But now Mr. Turner was addressing her.

"Nan," he was saying, "this is Miss Blake. Can't you welcome her to
her new home, my dear?"

Nan hung back in awkward silence, but the new governess did not give
her the opportunity to make the moment an embarrassing one. She
stepped forward, and, taking the girl's hand in her own, said softly:

"Mr. Turner has told me all about you. I hope we shall be very happy
together."

She did not attempt to kiss her.

Nan murmured an indistinct "Yes'm," and shrank back against the wall.
Delia stood beside the new governess with a very curious expression on
her face. For a moment there was silence, and then Mr. Turner broke in
upon it with:

"I think it would be well if Miss Blake were to be shown to her room at
once. She is drenched with the rain and must be cold and hungry. Will
you be good enough, Delia, to get her something to eat while Nan takes
her upstairs?"

Nan started forward quickly at the note of rebuke in the lawyer's voice.

"Oh, won't you come to your room?" she asked.

She vaguely wondered what made Delia look so strange and act in such a
dazed, uncertain fashion. She thought she must be a sad "'fraid-cat"
to be overawed by such a little personage as the new governess.

"Now I will say good-night," said Mr. Turner to Miss Blake, as she
started to follow Nan above. "I hope," he added in an undertone,
taking her hand, "that you will be happy. Don't become discouraged.
Send for me whenever you need me. I am always at your service."

She silently bowed her thanks. Somehow she found it difficult to speak
just then. She had been tired and cold before she entered the house,
but it seemed to her she had not known weariness or chill until now.
She felt herself shiver as she turned away from the lawyer and heard
the door close behind him. He seemed to be leaving her alone with an
enemy.

Nan certainly looked anything but amicable.

"H