o."

"Oh, yes, Delia," replied the governess, with conviction. "I know very
well what I can do, but I shouldn't know if I did not have you to help
me. We're both conspiring for Nan's good, and we have to work
together."

The rest of the afternoon Miss Blake spent in unpacking her trunk and
in disposing of its contents. Beside the trunk there was a cumbersome
case, a hamper, and a large crate such as is used for the shipment of
bicycles. Delia gazed at it in wonderment. Did the governess use a
wheel? If so, what would Mrs. Newton say? Delia trembled at the
thought, and eyed the box with especial interest as it was being
carried down stairs and deposited in the basement hall closet.

Nan wandered in about twilight and found the house cheerfully lighted
and warm and comfortable. There was a fire in the library grate, and
she threw herself into a chair before it and lounged there luxuriously,
while above her head the new governess was tripping to and fro,
"putting her room to rights," Nan suspected. She wondered about that
room. She would have liked to go up there and see if those skates had
arrived, but of course she could not do that. The governess must not
think she cared to see her when she wasn't forced to. No, indeed!

Later Miss Blake came down stairs, and drawing her chair nearer the
lamp, commenced to sew. Presently up came Delia.

"Miss Blake," she said, with an emphasis Nan noticed and did not like,
"your dinner is served."

Nan jumped up with an exaggerated yawn. Her hair was rough and
disordered, her frock was rumpled and untidy, her hands were obviously
soiled. Miss Blake remarked on none of these things. She laid her bit
of needle-work upon the table and quietly passed down stairs before Nan.

The table was set for one, and the governess seated herself before the
solitary place.

Nan stood at the side of the table in stiff and silent amazement.

"Where's my place, Delia?" she called, ignoring Miss Blake, except for
an angry flash of her eyes.

But Miss Blake was not to be ignored.

"I thought you had decided to dine alone," she said. "At least, that
was the impression you conveyed to me at luncheon. If you have changed
your mind, Delia can easily set your place. Shall she do so?"

The question was simple, but Nan knew what it involved. She was
speechless with rage. Her face alternately flushed and paled, while
her lips twitched spasmodically.

"I--I--hate you!" she cried a